What Happened in 1964 – Trivia, Movies, Songs, Celebs Born In 1964
1964 was the start of the British Invasion with the arrival of the Beatles, but that is just one of the highlights of 1964. We also got Trivia, Top Movies, Top 40 Songs, Sports, Celebrities Born In 1964, News, Prices and more.
Ever wonder, “What Happened in 1964?”
Well if you if you are planning a birthday party, trivia game night, wedding anniversary event, class reunion or just curious about 1964 movies, music, tv, famous people born, news and fun facts; well you are in luck. Party Game Ideas has pulled together a list of fun and interesting things that happened in 1964, so you can create trivia games or activities based on 1964. If you are short on time and need fun and engaging games for a 1964 birthday party, be sure to check out our Born in 1963 – 60th Birthday Party Games.
1964 Items – Page Topics Listed in Order
1964 History & News, 1964 Trivia & Fun Facts
1964 Top Movies, Notable Quotes, Top 40 Songs of 1964, Sports Champions
Celebrities Born in 1964, Top TV Shows of 1964, Saturday Morning Cartoons
What Did Things Cost in 1964
1964 History & News
- Civil Rights Act of 1964 is signed into law by President Johnson.
- From Russia with love? 40 secret microphones found in US Moscow embassy.
- North Vietnamese torpedo boats attack US Destroyer Maddox which leads to US authorizing war against N. Vietnam.
- US begins bombing North Vietnam in response to attacks on US Navy ships in Gulf of Tonkin.
- Washington D.C. are finally able to vote in a presidential election.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize.
- Warren Commission report concludes that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating President John F. Kennedy.
- Nelson Mandela and 7 others are sentenced to life imprisonment in South Africa.
- U.S. Surgeon General reports smoking may lead to lung cancer. (Surprised this took so long.) FTC rules all cigarette packages must include warnings.
- The Warren Commission’s investigation of the Kennedy assassination concludes that “Oswald acted alone” in killing the president.
- The PLO, Palestinian Liberation Organization, is established.
- The Food Stamp Act of 1964 creates a permanent food stamp program.
- The Boston Strangler, Albert DeSalvo, is captured.
- Time Man of the Year: Lyndon B. Johnson
Interesting Trivia & Fun Facts about 1963
- Beatles release their 1st US Album, “Introducing the Beatles” in January by Vee-Jay Records.
- The Beatles 1st appearance on US television. It was live on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in New York and 73.7 million viewers watched.
- Ford Motor Company releases the Ford Mustang and it becomes an instant success. Base price is $2,368.
- The Kennedy half-dollar is issued, replacing the Ben Franklin half-dollar.
- Go-Go Boots are created by French designer Andre Courreges.
- Lucky Charms cereal is released by General Mills.
- James “Jimmy” Hoffa is found guilty of bribery charges and sentenced to eight years.
- Buffalo Wings were originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY by Teressa Bellissimo.
- The first Arby’s restaurant opens in Boardman, Ohio.
- AstroTurf was created and would begin to be sold in 1965 using the name ChemGrass (Rebranded AstroTurf in 1966)
- The boxing toy Rock’ Em Sock’ Em Robots is released by Marx Toys.
- The Jackson 5 formed in Gary, Indiana, but wouldn’t hit it big until 1969.
- Elizabeth Taylor marries Richard Burton (The 1st time.).
- This trivia game show premiered March 30, 1964. What is Jeopardy?
- The most powerful earthquake, magnitude 9.2, in US history hits South Central Alaska.
- The world’s oldest tree, Prometheus, is accidentally cut down in Nevada. It was at least 4,862 years old.
- Kellogg’s introduces Pop-Tarts in four favors – Strawberry, Blueberry, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, and Apple-Currant.
- G.I. Joe action figure doll is released by Hasbro.
- The 8-Track Tape is invented. Music would begin to be sold in this format the following year; 1965.
- Brut cologne is launched by Faberge and is a leader in men’s cologne from the late 60s until the early 1980s.
- The Mariner 4 spacecraft is launched by NASA with the mission being to study the atmosphere of Mars.
- Jerrie Mock is the first woman to fly solo around the world.
- Top of the Pops, the British music show makes its debut Jan. 1, 1964.
- Summer Olympics are held in Tokyo, Japan and the Winter Olympics are held in Innsbruck, Austria.
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is broadcast on TV for the first time.
- San Francisco cable cars are declared a national landmark.
- Diet Pepsi is introduced, a year after Tab was released by Coca-Cola.
- Cassius Clay beats Sonny Liston on February 25th for World Heavyweight championship.
- Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker is introduced and kids can now make creepy bugs and things are home.
- First Tim Horton’s coffee and donut shop opens in Hamilton, Ontario. The NHL player would later open many more.
- The following companies started – Bose Corporation, Blue Ribbon Sports which would be renamed Nike in 1971, Sally Beauty Supply
- Gilligan’s Island premiere and the sitcom about 7 castaways becomes a TV hit.
- The Sharpie permanent marker is introduced.
- British and French governments plan to build a tunnel under the English Channel.
- The 1964-65 New York World’s Fair opens and the event is host to more than 50 million visitors over 2 years.
- Broadway Musicals Hello Dolly, Funny Girl, and Fiddler on the Roof open and result in one of the best years ever on Broadway!
World Population 1964 – 3,267,000,000
Top Movies 1964 – US Box Office in millions
This list represents the earnings of movies that were released in 1964. We have found a wide range of different rankings online, this list is a composite of those rankings.
1. Mary Poppins $75.6
2. My Fair Lady $62.3
3. Goldfinger $51.1 (Dec. 1964)
4. The Carpetbaggers $36.3
5. From Russia with Love $34.8 (May 1964)
6. A Shot in the Dark $19.3
7. What a Way to Go! $17.4
8. The Unsinkable Molly Brown $17.3
9. Father Goose $17.1
10. A Hard Days Night $16.2
Additional Notable Movies from 1964
Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, The Pink Panther,
Viva Las Vegas, Zorba the Greek, Kissin’ Cousins, Mothra vs. Godzilla
The Spaghetti Western genre was created with the release of “A Fistful of Dollars.” The film starred Clint Eastwood and was directed by Sergio Leone.
The Academy Awards often takes place in February.
- 1964 Academy Award for Best Picture – Tom Jones
- 1964 Best Actor – Sidney Poitier for Lilies of the Field (1st Black actor to win this award.)
- 1964 Best Actress – Patricia Neal for Hud
Below are the Academy Awards that were presented in 1965 for movies released in 1964. View all 1965 Academy Award Winners.
- 1965 Academy Award for Best Picture – My Fair Lady
- 1965 Best Actor – Rex Harrison for My Fair Lady
- 1965 Best Actress – Julie Andrews for Mary Poppins
Notable Quotes from 1964
“Skipper”
– Gilligan on Gilligan’s Island
New Advertising Jingles – Catch Phrases
“Please don’t squeeze the Charmin.”
– Charmin – Spoken by Mr. Whipple in TV commercials.
Purchase games for your 60th Birthday Party!!!
Top 40 Songs of 1964
The original Billboard Hot 100 for 1964 compiled from Jan. 4 1964 – December 12, 1964.
1. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” The Beatles
2. “She Loves You” The Beatles
3. “Hello, Dolly!” Louis Armstrong
4. “Oh, Pretty Woman” Roy Orbison
5. “I Get Around” The Beach Boys
6. “Everybody Loves Somebody” Dean Martin
7. “My Guy” Mary Wells
8. “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine” Gale Garnett
9. “Last Kiss” J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
10. “Where Did Our Love Go” The Supremes
11. “People” Barbra Streisand
12. “Java” Al Hirt
13. “A Hard Day’s Night” The Beatles
14. “Love Me Do” The Beatles
15. “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” Manfred Mann
16. “Please Please Me” The Beatles
17. “Dancing in the Street” Martha and the Vandellas
18. “Little Children” Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas
19. “Love Me with All Your Heart (Cuando Calienta El Sol)” The Ray Charles Singers
20. “Under the Boardwalk” The Drifters
21. “Chapel of Love” The Dixie Cups
22. “Suspicion” Terry Stafford
23. “Glad All Over” The Dave Clark Five
24. “Rag Doll” The Four Seasons
25. “Dawn (Go Away)” The Four Seasons
26. “Bread and Butter” The Newbeats
27. “It Hurts to Be in Love” Gene Pitney
28. “Dead Man’s Curve” Jan and Dean
29. “Come a Little Bit Closer” Jay and the Americans
30. “A World Without Love” Peter and Gordon
31. “Have I the Right?” The Honeycombs
32. “Don’t Let the Rain Come Down (Crooked Little Man)” The Serendipity Singers
33. “Baby Love” The Supremes
34. “Let It Be Me” Betty Everett & Jerry Butler
35. “Wishin’ and Hopin'” Dusty Springfield
36. “You Don’t Own Me” Lesley Gore
37. “Walk On By” Dionne Warwick
38. “The House of the Rising Sun” The Animals
39. “G.T.O.” Ronny & the Daytonas
40. “Twist and Shout” The Beatles
Other notable 1964 Songs that were in the Top 100
44. “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)” Betty Everett, 48. “The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena)” Jan and Dean, 52. “Can’t Buy Me Love” The Beatles, 69. “Leader of the Pack” The Shangri-Las, 71. “The Way You DO the Things You Do” The Temptations, 86. “Money (That’s What I Want)” The Kingsmen, 99. “Louie, Louie” The Kingsmen.
• 1964 was the Year of the Beatles, they had 9 Top 100 Songs including the top 2!
• The Beatles song “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” charts at number 45 on January 18th, and by February 1st reached #1.
1964 Year in Sports
- Football
AFL Championship – Buffalo Bills defeated San Diego Chargers 20-7
NFL Championship – Cleveland Browns defeated Baltimore Colts 27-0 - Horse Racing – Kentucky Derby – Northern Dancer
- Ice Hockey – Stanley Cup – Toronto Maple Leafs defeated Detroit Red Wings 4 games to 3
- NBA Finals – Boston Celtics defeated San Francisco Warriors 4 games to 1 games
- Golf – U.S. Open – Ken Venturi
- Tennis
Wimbledon Championships – Men’s Roy Emerson, Women’s Maria Bueno
US National Championships (In ’68 becomes US Open) – Men’s Roy Emerson, Women’s Maria Bueno - Baseball – World Series – St. Louis Cardinals defeated New York Yankees 4 games to 3 games
- Tour De France – Jacques Anquetil of France wins. (He would win a total of 5 Tour De France races.
1964 NCAA
- Football
Orange Bowl: January 1, 1964 – Nebraska defeated Auburn
Rose Bowl: January 1, 1964 – Illinois defeated Washington
Sugar Bowl : January 1, 1964 – Alabama defeated Ole Miss (Mississippi)
Cotton Bowl: January 1, 1964 – Texas defeated Navy - Men’s Division 1 Basketball – UCLA defeated Duke 97 – 83
Celebrities Born in 1963
Check out these famous people born in 1963. For those born in the 60s, this might have you feeling old. There are a lot of talented celebrities and famous people born this year. While many look their age, some are looking very youthful and others look older than 60.
Courteney Cox
Keanu Reeves
Don Cheadle
Rob Lowe
Michelle Obama
Nicholas Cage
Lenny Kravitz
Marisa Tomei
Sandra Bullock
- Stone Cold Steve Austin (Wrestler)
- Monica Bellucci (Italian Actress)
- Candice Bergen
- Jeff Bezos (Founder of Amazon)
- Barry Bonds
- Dan Brown (Writer)
- Jose Canseco (Baseball Player)
- Adam Carolla (Comedian)
- Cedric the Entertainer
- Jim Cantore (Weather Channel)
- Tracy Chapman
- Stephen Colbert
- Ronnie Coleman (Bodybuilder)
- Chris Cornell (Musician)
- Russell Crowe
- Matt Dillion
- Easy-E (Rapper 1964-1995)
- Chris Farley (1964-1997)
- Bobby Flay (Celebrity Chef)
- Calista Flockhart
- Vivica Fox
- Janeane Garofalo
- Melissa Gilbert
- Dwight Gooden (Baseball Player)
- Mariska Hargitay (Actress Law & Order: SVU)
- Teri Hatcher
- Wynonna Judd
- Hoda Kotb
- Jim Lee (Comic Book Artist, Creator)
- Lori Loughlin
- Courtney Love
- TobyMac (Rapper)
- Elle Macpherson (Model, Actress)
- Cheryl Miller (Basketball Player & Coach)
- Ty Pennington
- Pepa (Rapper Salt-N-Pepa)
- Rosie Perez
- Caroline Rhea
- Rick Riordan (Author – Percy Jackson series)
- Molly Shannon
- Joseph Simmons (Rapper, Producer)
- David Spade
- Wanda Sykes
- Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
- Patrick Warburton (Actor)
- Steve Wilkos
- Wendy Williams (TV Host)
- Trisha Yearwood
Top Baby Names of 1964
- Girls Names – Lisa, Mary, Susan, Karen, Patricia
- Boys Names – Michael, John, David, James, Robert
Most Popular TV Shows of 1964
We include the Top 20 TV shows for two seasons, since they are different. It is Interesting to see the shows shift in popularity from 1963-64 to 1964-65. Amazing how top shows surged in 63-64 and drop off by 64-65. Candid Camera, My Favorite Martian, and many of the shows with a star in the name (Danny Thomas, Jack Benny, Donna Reed, Patty Duke) all did well and then fell off significantly the following season.
Top TV Shows of 1963 – 1964 Season – based on Nielsen Media
1. The Beverly Hillbillies 39.1
2. Bonanza 36.9
3. The Dick Van Dyke Show 33.3
4. Petticoat Junction 30.3
5. The Andy Griffith Show 29.4
6. The Lucy Show 28.1
7. Candid Camera 27.7
8. The Ed Sullivan Show 27.5
9. The Danny Thomas Show 26.7
10. My Favorite Martian 26.3
11. The Red Skelton Show 25.7
12T. I’ve Got a Secret 25
12T. Lassie
12T. The Jack Benny Show
15. The Jackie Gleason Show 24.6
16. The Donna Reed Show 24.5
17. The Virginian 24.0
18. The Patty Duke Show 23.9
19. Dr. Kildare 23.6
20. Gunsmoke 23.5
Top TV Shows of 1964 – 1965 Season – based on Nielsen Media
1. Bonanza 36.3
2. Bewitched 31
3. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. 30.7
4. The Andy Griffith Show 28.3
5. The Fugitive 27.9
6. The Red Skelton Hour 27.4
7. The Dick Van Dyke Show 27.1
8. The Lucy Show 26.6
9. Peyton Place II 26.4
10. Combat! 26.1
11. Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color 25.7
12. The Beverly Hillbillies 25.6
13. My Three Sons 25.5
14. Branded 25.3
15. Petticoat Junction 25.2
The Ed Sullivan Show
17. Lassie 25.1
18. The Munsters 24.7
Gilligan’s Island
20. Peyton Place I 24.6
21.The Jackie Gleason Show 24.4
The sitcom “Bewitched” premiered on September 17, 1964 and immediately became a hit, making Elizabeth Montgomery a household name. The success of “Bewitched” would later inspire another popular 1960s show, “I Dream of Jeanie.”
Popular Saturday Morning Shows in 1964
Before blocks of Saturday morning cartoons became the norm, you had a mix of cartoons, education, and variety shows for kids. In the 1964-65 season Underdog arrived on Saturdays in the October 1964.
- Mighty Mouse Playhouse
- Underdog
- The Magic Land of Allakazam
- The Bugs Bunny Show
- Hoppity Hooper
- Dennis the Menace
- The New Casper Cartoon Show
- Linus the Lionhearted
- My Friend Flicka
- The Jetsons
- Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales
What did things cost in 1964
Check out this 1964 prices for food, gas, and even gold. These tend to be average prices for an item in the US during the year and the prices of items variety by region of the country. When possible we used US Govt. Economic data.
- Stamp $0.05
- Loaf of Bread $0.22
- Gallon of Milk $0.93
- Dozen Eggs $0.54
- Bacon 1 lb. $0.56
- Gallon of Gas $0.25
- Movie Ticket $0.93
- Minimum Wage $1.25 (And would stay at this rate until 1966)
- One Ounce of Gold $35.35
- New Car was right around $3,300
- Ford Mustang was released and the starting price was $2,368
- Average Income $6,600
Most likely if you are here researching What Happened in 1964, you are getting ready to plan a big event like a birthday celebration for a spouse or close friend. We hope that our 1964 trivia, fun facts, top movies, top 40 songs of 1964 and other information was helpful and interesting.
If you are hosting a birthday party for someone Born in 1964, be sure to check out our born in 1963 party games and these party supplies and decorations that will help make your event extra special.
60th Birthday Decorations Kits, Tableware and Paper Plates
60th Funny Toilet Paper
60 Party Balloons & Mylar 60 Numbers
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Birthday Party Game Options
1961 - Birthday Games • 1962 - Birthday Games • 1963 - 60th Birthday Party Games• 1971 Birthday Games • 1972 - Birthday Games • 1973 - 50th Birthday Party Games • 1981 Birthday Games • 1982 Birthday Games • 1983 - 40th Birthday Party Game Pack • 1991 - Birthday Party Game Packs
Kid's Birthday Party Games
My 1st Birthday • Who Knows the Birthday Girl • Who Knows the Birthday Boy • Who Knows the Birthday Star
Birthday Bingo • Birthday Charades & Pictionary • Birthday Left Right Story
Birthday Decorations
Back in 1971 Poster, Back in 1981 Poster
Funny & Joke - 40th Birthday Star Posters, 40th Birthday Gold Glitter Posters, 50th Birthday Posters, 60th Birthday Posters
Year Trivia, Fun Facts, Celebs Born in, What Happened In
1961 Trivia • 1962 Trivia • 1963 Trivia • 1971 Trivia • 1972 Trivia • 1973 Trivia • 1981 Trivia • 1982 Trivia • 1983 Trivia • 1984 Trivia • 1991 Trivia
1964 Calendar
Want to know on what day of the week someone was born, an anniversary or just need to check out a specific date from 1964? Then check out our 12 month 1964 calendar.
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