If you were born in 1960, you share a birth year with the first working laser, Domino’s Pizza, “The Flintstones,” the Beatles, and more. Tensions in the Cold War increase and the sexual revolution begins with the acceptance of oral contraception.
Interesting Statistics from 1960
- U.S. population: 180.67 million
- Worldwide population: 4.38 billion
- Life expectancy: 69.7 years
- Price of gas: 25 cents
- Price of a new house: $12,700
- Median family income: $5,600
Top News in 1960
- John F. Kennedy becomes president, narrowly edging out Richard Nixon.
- The U.S. sends its first troops to Vietnam.
- The Soviet Union captures the airplane pilot Gary Powers and forces the U.S. to admit that they were using aircraft to spy.
If You Were Born in 1960, Your Parents Witnessed These Historic Events
- The Civil Rights Act of 1960 is signed in order to amend the previous Civil Rights Act.
- The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, is formed.
- Prime Minister Harold Macmillan makes his famous “Wind of Change” speech.
- Elvis Presley returns from military service.
- Muhammad Ali achieves his first win in professional boxing.
- The head of the Anglican Church and Catholic Church talk together, marking the first time this has happened in over half a century.
- The Somali Republic is formed after British Somaliland gains independence.
- The Irish Republic Army, or IRA, begins fighting against Britain.
- The American Heart Association finds that smoking can lead to premature death.
- Fidel Castro nationalizes all previously U.S. businesses and interests in Cuba.
1960 Pop Culture
Sports
- 1960 World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates defeat New York Yankees 4-3.
- 1960 NFL Championship: Philadelphia Eagles defeat Green Bay Packers 17–13.
- 1960 NBA Championship: Boston Celtics defeat St. Louis Hawks 4-3.
- 1960 Stanley Cup: Montreal Canadiens defeat Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0.
Arts
- Top-grossing movies in 1960: “Spartacus,” “Psycho,” “Exodus”
- Top singles in 1960: “Theme from A Summer Place,” “He’ll Have to Go,” “Cathy’s Clown”
- Top books in 1960: “Advise and Consent,” “Folk Medicine,” “The Alexandria Quartet,” “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Who Else Was Born in 1960?
- RuPaul
- Diego Maradona
- Jeremy Clarkson
- Jane Lynch
- Niki Mahajan
- Huge Grant
- Kathy Griffin
- Prince Andrew
Who Died in 1960?
- Boris Pasternak
- Emily Post
- Lawrence Tibbet
- Clark Gable