1960s Trivia and Facts
The '60s
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the 1960s
Sixties trivia remains popular because it was one of the most important and turbulent decades of the 20th century. In addition to weathering wars and assassinations, mankind landed on the Moon, made advancements in science and medicine, and occasionally embraced the notion of revolution and counterculture. It must have been an exciting time in history, although I'm glad I wasn't born until a decade later.
Since most versions of Trivial Pursuit cover long stretches of history, you can count on finding "�60s trivia in the majority of their products. This is especially true of the following: Genus I, All-Star Sports, Genus II, RPM, People, and TV. But if you're really into 60s trivia from Trivial Pursuit, I suggest you pick up the following two editions as soon as possible:
1960s -- As you might have guessed from the title, this edition of Trivial Pursuit focuses exclusively on the decade of the 1960s. Categories include: Personalities, Entertainment, Headlines, Music, Sports & Leisure, and Wild Card.
Baby Boomer -- To qualify as a baby boomer, you had to be born from 1946 to 1964. This game focuses on that era, with categories including Television, Stage & Screen, Nightly News, Publishing, R.P.M., and Lives & Times. It should be noted that this version of Trivial Pursuit is considered one of the toughest around, especially the Stage & Screen category.
While you're waiting for these items to arrive from Amazon (or the online vendor of your choice), I've went ahead and created my own list of trivia from the sixties to pass the time. Some will be a snap, while others may stump those who actually lived through the era.
Whatever the case, you'll be entertained while hopefully learning something in the process.
What 1964 legislative measure gave President Lyndon B. Johnson the power to use military force in Southeast Asia without a formal declaration of war?
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed on August 10th, 1964, and directly led to the
Vietnam War.
Which three neighboring states did Israel battle during the Six Days War in 1967?
Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. By the end of the conflict, Israel gained control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Golan Heights, Jerusalem, and the Sinai Peninsula.
Which baseball team relocated to Minnesota in 1961?
The Washington Senators (also known as the Washington Nationals) relocated in 1961 and became the Minnesota Twins.
In 1960, which two candidates participated in the first presidential debate on television?
Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy.
Which U.S. city was the center of the "Summer of Love"� in 1967?
San Francisco, California. More specifically, over 100,000 people gathered in the neighborhood known as Haight-Ashbury.
Which influential album was released in 1966 and included hits such as "Sloop John B"� and "God Only Knows"?
Pet Sounds. Recorded by The Beach Boys, the album is considered one of the best in the history of pop music.
What programming language was created in 1964?
BASIC was created by Thomas Eugene Kurtz and John George Kemeny.
What famous revolutionary was captured and killed by the Bolivian army in 1967?
Ernesto "Che"� Guevara. In addition to being a revolutionary, Guevara was also an author, physician, diplomat, and military theorist. His image would later become a counterculture symbol in pop culture.
What was the name of the first manned spaceflight to land on the Moon?
Apollo 11 landed on the Moon on July 20th, 1969, and the crew consisted of Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong.
In 1961, Cuban exiles attempted to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro. Who trained these exiles?
The Central Intelligence Agency.
Who won the most Oscars for Best Director in the 1960s?
Robert Wise. He won an individual award for 1965's "The Sound of Music,"� and he also shared a trophy with Jerome Robbins for 1961's "West Side Story."
Who was the assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr.?
James Earl Ray shot and killed Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4th, 1968. He would die in prison in 1998 at the age of 70.
Which album released in 1967 would become the best-selling album of the 1960s?
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was recorded by The Beatles. It's estimated to have sold a total of 32 million copies.
Manson Family murder victim Sharon Tate was the wife of what famous movie director?
Roman Polanski. Tate, pregnant with their first child, was murdered in Los Angeles by members of the Manson Family while Polanski was working in London.
Which nation won the most medals at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan?
The Soviet Union walked away with 96 medals, edging out the United States' total of 90.
Which group had three consecutive #1 hits in the 1960s with "Sherry,"� "Big Girls Don't Cry"� and "Walk Like a Man"?
The Four Seasons. Their lead singer was falsetto master Frankie Valli, and the group would sell over 175 million albums worldwide.
What was the first X-rated film to ever win an Academy Award for Best Picture?
"Midnight Cowboy"� won Best Picture in 1969. It edged out films such as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"� and "Anne of the Thousand Days."
The difficulty of 60's trivia can vary depending on when you were born. For example, someone coming of age in 1967 is less likely to be stumped than someone who grew up on Limp Bizkit. Of course, folks of any age can get tripped up on some of these questions, while others will prove surprisingly simple. But no matter what your level of proficiency, trivia about the "�60s will impart a wide range of knowledge while giving you an excuse to spend time with friends and loved ones.
More Trivia by Decade
