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Major Events of December 1960: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1960 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1960: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 03 Dec 1960 Camelot musical Broadway premiere: 'Camelot' opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre on December 3, 1960, starring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet. The production received four Tony Awards and ran for 873 performances. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 04 Dec 1960 Boynton v. Virginia Supreme Court decision: On December 5, 1960, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Boynton v. Virginia, ruling that racial segregation in public transportation was illegal under the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 06 Dec 1960 Establishment of Izembek National Wildlife Range: On December 6, 1960, the Izembek National Wildlife Range was established in Alaska. This area is known for its diverse wildlife and critical habitats, particularly for migratory birds. source: fws.gov
  • 07 Dec 1960 UN Security Council session on Lumumba: On December 7, 1960, the UN Security Council held a session to discuss the situation surrounding Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This session was crucial in addressing the political turmoil in the region. source: un.org
  • 08 Dec 1960 Los Angeles Angels Lease Dodger Stadium: The Los Angeles Angels baseball team signed a four-year lease to use Dodger Stadium, marking an important moment in the team's early history and stadium arrangements.
  • 09 Dec 1960 Coronation Street Debuts on British Television: 'Coronation Street,' a British television soap opera, premiered on ITV on December 9, 1960. Created by Tony Warren, the series introduced viewers to the fictional town of Weatherfield, featuring characters like Elsie Tanner and Ken Barlow, and has since become one of the longest-running television programs in the UK. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 11 Dec 1960 French Forces Suppress Algerian Protests: On December 11, 1960, thousands of Algerians participated in peaceful demonstrations across major cities, demanding self-determination and opposing French colonial policies. The protests were sparked by French President Charles de Gaulle's visit to Algeria and his proposed 'Algerian Algeria' plan. In response, French authorities deployed tanks, machine guns, and tear gas, leading to mass arrests and violent clashes. The demonstrations lasted until December 16, 1960. source: al24news.dz
  • 12 Dec 1960 US Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Segregation Laws: On December 12, 1960, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in the case of 'Green v. New Kent County,' ruling that the 'freedom-of-choice' plans used to maintain racial segregation in public schools were unconstitutional. This decision mandated that public schools must take affirmative action to eliminate segregation, marking a significant step forward in the Civil Rights Movement. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 13 Dec 1960 Political coup in Laos: On December 13, 1960, a political coup occurred in Laos, leading to significant changes in the country's government and political landscape. source: archives.gov
  • 14 Dec 1960 OECD formation: On December 14, 1960, the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was signed in Paris, transforming the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) into the OECD. source: oecd.org
  • 15 Dec 1960 Nepal's Democratic Setback: On December 15, 1960, King Mahendra of Nepal dismissed Prime Minister B.P. Koirala's cabinet and dissolved the House of Representatives, effectively ending the country's brief experiment with parliamentary democracy. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 16 Dec 1960 1960 New York Air Disaster: On December 16, 1960, United Air Lines Flight 826 collided with Trans World Airlines Flight 266 over New York City, resulting in 134 fatalities, including 128 passengers and crew, and six people on the ground. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 17 Dec 1960 Ethiopian Coup Attempt Crushed: On December 17, 1960, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abebe Aregai was killed by machine-gun fire as the army stormed the Genetta Leul palace, where he was being held hostage by rebels. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 18 Dec 1960 United Nations condemns apartheid: On December 18, 1960, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution condemning apartheid, marking a significant step in the international community's opposition to South Africa's system of racial segregation. source: history.com
  • 19 Dec 1960 Mercury-Redstone 1A Test Flight: On December 19, 1960, NASA successfully launched the Mercury-Redstone 1A (MR-1A) mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This uncrewed suborbital flight tested the Mercury spacecraft's systems, including instrumentation, posigrade rockets, retrorockets, and recovery system, achieving an altitude of 210.3 km and a flight duration of 15 minutes and 45 seconds. source: nasa.gov
  • 22 Dec 1960 Louis Leakey's Groundbreaking Homo Erectus Discovery: In December 1960, Louis S. B. Leakey and his team discovered a fossilized skull cap of an early hominin, known as the Chellean Man (OH 9), in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. This specimen, dating to approximately 1.4 million years ago, is significant for its large cranial capacity and features characteristic of Homo erectus. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 24 Dec 1960 Pope John XXIII's papacy: Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, served as the head of the Catholic Church from October 28, 1958, until his death on June 3, 1963. His papacy was notable for initiating the Second Vatican Council, aiming to address relations between the Church and the modern world. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 27 Dec 1960 France's third nuclear test in Algeria: On December 27, 1960, France conducted its third nuclear test, codenamed "Gerboise Bleue," in the Algerian desert. This test was part of France's efforts to develop its own nuclear weapons program. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 28 Dec 1960 Assassination of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abebe Aregai: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abebe Aregai was assassinated on December 28, 1960, during a coup attempt. His death marked a significant turning point in Ethiopian politics, leading to increased instability in the region. source: britannica.com
  • 29 Dec 1960 Cliff Richard Tops UK Music Charts: On December 29, 1960, Cliff Richard achieved a significant milestone by topping the UK music charts. His success marked the beginning of a long and influential career in the music industry. source: bbc.com
  • 31 Dec 1960 Population of Asia in 1960: In 1960, Asia's population was approximately 1.7 billion people, making it the most populous continent at that time. source: en.wikipedia.org