Zack Walkter

The 1960s was a decade of enormous cultural importance, with shifts in public image, political unrest, art, and music all adding up to a period defined by the people taking control of their world and turning it on its head. It was a time that saw the rise of public figures who would change the landscape of their fields. Martin Luther King Jr. would drive the American Civil Rights Movement forward leaps and bounds, while fashion designer Mary Quant would give a newly sexually-liberated society a whole new way to dress. Music was no longer dominated by big bands or orchestras, instead of being taken over by groups of youngsters like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The politically-wise amongst them, such as Bob Dylan, would even use their music to further their political agenda. The sixties saw science fiction come to life, with man stepping foot on the moon for the first time, televised far below on Earth, while a generation of young men was seeing action first hand that was only previously witnessed in war films, taking up arms in the controversial Vietnam War. And it was all caught on film, immortalized in images captured by hordes of photographers looking for the next Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph. Some of those images are iconic simply for their visual appeal, while others are iconic for their ability to define the time that they were created. Following are 19 of those photographs, each one with a fascinating tale to tell. 1. Sammy Davis Jr. Visits The Berlin Wall January 19th, 1963 In town while working on his film Three Beggars Opera, Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. takes a photograph at the edge of the American sector of Berlin. The city had been divided up by what became known as The Berlin Wall, constructed by the German Democratic Republic, and would remain divided until the 1990s. 2. Sally Stokes Takes The Mini Cooper Around Brands Hatch May 19th, 1963 Competing in the 'Fast Girl' trophy race at Brands Hatch in Kent is 22 years old Sally Stokes. Although initially launched in the late 1950s, the Mini becomes one of the most popular cars of the 1960s, thanks in part to the prominence of the Cooper model in competition racing such as this. 3. Reverend Thích Quảng ức Sets Himself Alight June 11th, 1963 In protest against what he called government persecution of Buddhists, the 73-year-old monk douses himself in petrol in Saigon, Vietnam, and burns himself to death in front of thousands of onlookers. Sadly Quảng ức's act had little effect on South Vietnamese leader Ngô ình Dim. 4. Martin Luther King Has A Dream August 28th, 1963 Addressing over 250,000 civil rights supporters gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his famous "I Have A Dream" speech, in which he calls for an end to racism in America. Following the speech, the FBI mark King as a major enemy of the United States. 5. Jacqueline Kennedy Grieves For Her Murdered Husband November 28th, 1963 Six days after the assassination of John F Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, his widow Jacqueline manages a weak smile as she visits his grave in Arlington National Cemetery. It would take a ten-month investigation before officials concluded that the assassination was carried out by Lee Harvey Oswald. 6. The Beatles Arrive In America February 7th, 1964 John, Paul, George, and Ringo step off the plane at John F Kennedy airport ahead of their performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, their first American TV appearance. An estimated 45% of all television sets were tuned into the show, marking the height of Beatlemania. 7. Alred Hitchcock Smokes A Cigar February 10th 1964 Director Alfred Hitchcock lurks in the bushes in Hollywood, California. 1964 would see the premiere of his film Marnie starring Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery, fresh from success as James Bond. The film receives poor reviews, but fails to mar Hitchcock's reputation as "The Master of Suspense". 8. Cassius Clay Poses With The Beatles February 18th, 1964 Heavyweight Boxer Cassius Clay appears with the Liverpudlian pop group The Beatles, just days after their landmark performance on the Ed Sullivan Show. A week later, Clay would beat Sonny Liston in the ring after a grueling seven rounds. 9. President Johnson Signs The Gulf Of Tonkin Resolution August 10th 1964 In what historians cited as the crucial catalyst for deep American involvement in the Vietnam War, President Lyndon B Johnson signs the Resolution for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security. This gave Johnson the authorization to involve armed forces in Southeast Asia without a formal declaration of war. 10. Che Guevara Appears On Face The Nation December 13th, 1964 In a visit to CBS-TV studios in New York, Cuban Minister of Industry discusses how international relations can be improved between the U.S and Cuba. He would become a timeless symbol of rebellion and Marxism, an activist until his execution in 1967. 11. Student Protesters Signal Victory For The Free Speech Movement December 18th, 1964 After a turbulent three months, a group of student protesters make victory signs with their fingers as University of California at the UCLA to discuss what action to take in regard to free political speech. 12. George Best Scores After 7 Minutes March 9th, 1966 In Lisbon, Manchester United's George Best scores his team's first goal against Benfica after just seven minutes of the European Cup Soccer Tournament. Two years later he would be named European Footballer of the Year. 13. Twiggy Defines 60s Fashion archive.sltrib1967 At a fashion show in England, teenage model Twiggy models a dress. Along with other models such as Penelope Tree, she defines a new take on fashion and image to a generation of young people. The year prior, she had been nicknamed "The Face of 1966". 14. The Jimi Hendrix Experience August 21st, 1967 Having completed a nine-week tour of the United States, Jimi Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding step off the plane at Heathrow Airport. The tour included their appearance at Monterey Pop Festival, where Hendrix defined 60s rock and roll by setting his guitar alight on stage. 15. A Suspected Viet Cong Officer Is Executed In The Street February 1st, 1968 Suspected of guerrilla activity and war crimes, Nguyn Vn Lém is executed in the streets of Saigon by South Vietnamese General Nguyn Ngc Loan early in the Tet Offensive. Captured on film and televised worldwide, the action galvanized the anti-war movement. 16. Andy Warhol Decorates Leigh Taylor-Young's Thigh October 1st, 1968 In what would become a popular new artistic style, pop artist Warhol paints a butterfly on the actress' leg. He was already notorious for flipping art culture on its head and would continue to do so until his death in 1987. 17. 10,000 People Gather To Watch The Moon Landing July 20th, 1969 Watching on giant television screens in Central Park, New York, a huge audience watches and cheers as the Apollo 11 mission unfolds before them. The event is the first televised link with outer space, enthralling audiences the world over. 18. Neil Armstrong Walks On The Moon July 21st, 1969 Along with Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, astronaut Neil Armstrong voyages to the moon aboard Apollo 11. Observed by millions back on Earth, Armstrong steps off the Apollo Lunar Module at 2:56 UTC, uttering the famous words "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Credits: whatculture.com

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