What was life like before the convenience of gadgets or social media? Things were simpler back in the days, especially in the 1960s, the decade when everything from The Flintstones to Beatlemania to Martin Luther King Jr. made a mark in history.
Some of the events were heartbreaking while others were worth rejoicing, but all these contributed to the identity of the era often associated with rock n' roll, hippies, and civil rights. That period may feel like ages ago, but looking at these retro photos will prove that only a few things really have changed.
Gregg Allman and Cher Tie The Knot
After her highly publicized split from musician Sonny Bono, Cher controversially found love in the arms of Gregg Allman. The Allman Brothers member and his girlfriend tied the knot in 1975, three days after her divorce from her ex-husband was finalized.
This photo immortalized the union of the then-new couple, but, unfortunately, the Goddess of Pop wanted out of their marriage nine days after the nuptials. The breakup didn't materialize, and it would take two years before they finally called it quits despite sharing a son. Their fallout aside, Cher still mourned for his loss in 2017, taking it to Twitter to share her grief.
Jimi Hendrix and The Monkees Tour
Dubbed as the greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone, Jimi Hendrix left an indelible mark in the history of music. With his sheer talent, it wasn't surprising that he teamed up with a successful and exciting group called The Monkees. Although they were two separate great personalities, their fans weren't that happy about their partnership.
In 1967, The Monkees tapped Hendrix to be their opening act for their US tour because one of the members was a huge fan of the instrumentalist. However, their supporters weren't ecstatic about the collaboration, and the Hey Joe hitmaker suffered a lot of jeers onstage.
The Partridge Family Show Debuts
There's nothing that symbolizes The Partridge Family more than their iconic colorful bus. Diehard fans of the faux clan can remember its storyline: a mom and her kids create hit songs and travel on their unmissable vehicle. Starting in 1970, the legendary series ran for four years and starred David Cassidy, Shirley Jones, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce.
So where's the bus? At first, the inanimate object was parked near the University of Southern California. While people think it may have been preserved in a museum, it, unfortunately, landed in a junkyard after it was trashed.
John F. Kennedy Becomes Youngest President
After the 1960 election, John F. Kennedy became the youngest and the first Catholic president of the United States. It was a historic poll because voters got to know the campaigns of candidates through televised debates. After becoming the Chief Executive, the former senator addressed several key problems like the unrest in Vietnam.
This photo, showing Kennedy and his wife and mother, was captured after he won the election. Unfortunately, his term was cut short when he was killed in Dallas, Texas, in November 1963 by an ex-Marine, Lee Harvey Oswald. The events leading to his death were shown in the biopic JFK.
Birth Control Pill Zorane Was Introduced
Many birth control methods were discovered before the '60s, but the first oral contraceptive came around that decade. It was such a bizarre idea at the time that Enovid had to be introduced to the Food and Drug Administration as medicine for menstrual problems. After it was approved by the agency, there were side effects that showed.
This led to other versions of the contraceptive with low levels of estrogen, just like this pictured Zorane pills kept in compact containers. The introduction of oral birth controls forever changed history, and in 1972, it became legal, not just for married couples but for everyone to consume.
The Flintstones Arrives on TV
Long before Family Guy, Spongebob Squarepants, or Dexter's Laboratory stole the cartoon scene, The Flintstones dominated TVs. The pioneer animated series debuted in 1960 and became a massive hit so much that it catapulted Hanna-Barbera, the production studio, to immense popularity.
During its six-year run, it tackled social issues that the '60s was facing, even joining a couple of series to show couples in the same bed. The series was first called The Gladstones and then The Flagstones before the animator learned that there was a comic strip of the same name. The Simpsons went on to steal the spotlight when it arrived in 1997.
Breakfast at Tiffany's Hits Big Screens
The 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's had thrust its star Audrey Hepburn into legendary celebrity status. The stunner played Holly Golightly, a naive socialite who fell for a struggling writer, played by George Peppard. It won the British actress a David di Donatello award for Best Foreign Actress.
It was undoubtedly one of the most notable performances of Hepburn, which is why a reboot has been in the air for some time. Paramount Studios is currently in a legal battle against the heir of Truman Capote over the ownership of the movie.
JFK Informs Public about Cuban Missile Crisis
In October 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union faced off in a 13-day battle during the Cold War. The standoff was because of the missiles that the Soviets installed in Cuba, which was just 90 miles from America. Then-President John F. Kennedy informed his constituents about the threat to national security.
Many feared that it would lead to a nuclear war, but thankfully, Soviet Union's Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in Cuba in agreement that the United States would not colonize Cuba. In 2000, a movie about the Cuban Missile Crisis titled Thirteen Days hit theaters.
Helen Gurley Brown Publishes a Revolutionary Book
In 1962, highly celebrated Cosmopolitan editor Helen Gurley Brown released a revolutionary reading material for unmarried women of that decade. It also encouraged single ladies to explore lovemaking and to demand better experiences from their partners.
She would forever change women's perspectives on intimacy and relationships. In less than a month, around 2 million copies had been sold. It was such a success that in 1964, a comedy film of the same name based its storyline on the non-fiction book. It starred Henry Fonda, Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, and Lauren Bacall.
French New Wave Cinema Emerges
In the late '50s to the late '60s, a cinematic movement called French New Wave sprouted. This approach was brainstormed by notable directors who wanted to give more artistic flair to masterpieces rather than a controlled creation. Films under this classification were characterized by jump cuts, handheld cameras, and improvised dialogues.
Filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard's 1960 movie Breathless is one of the earliest and finest examples of French New Wave, also called Nouvelle Vague. It became an important part of history and went on to inspire some of the magnificent directors we now have today, including Pulp Fiction's Quentin Tarantino.
Marilyn Monroe Passes Away
Many talented actors were introduced during the '60s, but that decade also saw the passing of one of the most iconic stars, Marilyn Monroe. The blonde stunner top-billed many notable movies, including The Seven Year Itch and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Apart from her bombshell roles, the multifaceted celebrity was also known for breaking beauty standards.
While most stars were petite, Monroe helped normalize a curvy figure. She was also admired for the causes she supported and championed, including women's rights. Her life will be magnified in a biopic titled Blonde (2021), which will star Ana de Armas as the icon.
Motown Achieves Chart-Topping Hits
Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records in 1959 and heavily relied on his sister Esther Gordy Edwards for key connections. It was said that she was responsible for making the company a huge success as she was on top of the management while her brother was busy making music.
In 1961, the studio reached a milestone: girl group The Marvelettes' single, Please Mr. Postman, reached the number one spot in Billboard charts. Apart from producing chart-topping hits, Motown Records became a game-changer, shattering discrimination and divides by offering songs that catered to the mass.
World Mourns John F. Kennedy's Death
Three years into his term, US President John F. Kennedy was assassinated during a motorcade at Dallas, Texas. One fateful day in November 1963, the Chief Executive, his wife Jacqueline, and Gov. John B. Connally Jr.'s vehicles moved past the Texas School Book Depository when a gunman shot the men.
JFK sustained shots in the head and neck and was brought to the hospital but died. The gunman was Lee Harvey Oswald, who also shot a policeman. The culprit was arrested but was also killed two days later by Jack Ruby, a nightclub operator.
The Beach Boys Reaches Greater Heights
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Beach Boys was composed of siblings Dennis, Brian, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike, and close pal Al Jardine. Formed in 1961, it didn't take long enough for the iconic group to create a name in the music industry. They became known for making fun, light songs, like 1963's Surfin' U.S.A.
By 1966, the group shocked its fans when it released the album Pet Sounds, a far cry from its previous works. This had a more serious tune, seemingly a transition for the band, although it wasn't as welcomed as its earlier albums.
Gloria Steinem Goes Undercover
How far would you go for your passion? For renowned journalist Gloria Steinem, she willingly went undercover at the New York Playboy Club when she was 28. During the '60s, founder Hugh Hefner marketed his establishment as something that promoted liberation.
However, once inside, Steinem learned that her hunch was right. The women were taken advantage of, and that they were paid less than what was told. Because of her exposé, the journalist has been hailed as the world's most famous feminist. Since then, the activist has released a number of books, including Men and Women Talking, in 2017.
Martin Luther King Jr. Delivers Iconic Speech
Over 250,000 people joined the March on Washington in August 1963 to call for African-Americans' strengthened civil rights. It was also when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his moving I Have a Dream speech, which had become iconic and historic. The piece, part improvised, part scripted, stirred the emotions of the crowd.
The speech tackled what life had been for people of color and King's dream of a future where a person's skin color wouldn't matter. However, despite the minister's plea, discrimination remains to be a systemic problem nowadays. In 2020, George Floyd's death sparked outrage, zooming in on the age-old issue.
Beatlemania Takes Over the United States
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, collectively known as The Beatles, took the world by storm in the '60s. After gaining success in the United Kingdom, they went on to captivate the American market, which gave birth to the fanaticism phenomenon called Beatlemania.
Only months after President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963, The Beatles gained traction in the United States after appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show. Over 70 million tuned in to their guests, and that would later lead The Beatles to grace the show again. In 2021, a documentary will show never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage of the group.
Swinging Sixties Smashes Bleakness
It only made sense that the United Kingdom veered as far away from bleakness as possible in the '60s. After the war, a cultural shift marked by trendy, colorful clothes to more exciting and experimental music spread across the country. This defining era was also when the British Invasion happened on the other side of the pond.
The Beatles is, perhaps, the greatest example of how the British were able to influence other cultures. Although the group embraced the '50s rock and roll, its 1967 album, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, influenced so many bands, including The Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys, in the next decades.
President Lyndon Johnson Signs the Civil Rights Act
President John F. Kennedy's proposition to end injustices and discrimination didn't die down with him when he was assassinated in 1963. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, who was later sworn into office as the Chief Executive after the former President's death, furthered this agenda.
In 1964, Johnson paid tribute to Kennedy by signing the civil rights act, which helped avoid discrimination in schools, employment, and public spaces. This came despite opposition, who argued that the bill trampled over some liberties and rights of a person. This was further expanded in 1965 when Congress passed the Voting Rights Act.
The United States Becomes Involved in Vietnam
The United States was heavily involved in the Vietnam War before the '60s, specifically since President Harry Truman announced a policy that declared they would back any country that would fight communism. By 1954, America revealed that it would support Catholic leader and politician Ngo Dinh Diem in Vietnam.
However, it was only in 1965 when the United States troops landed in Vietnam in what was dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder. On March 2 of that year, the bombing campaign began after its Pleiku base was attacked. In the following year, only Hanoi and Haiphong were spared from the explosions.
Selma To Montgomery Demonstrations Take Place
Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech in 1963 voiced out the discriminated's pleas, struggles, and aspirations. This was followed by a series of marches in 1965, starting in Selma to Montgomery. The 54-mile demonstration was a way to demand voter equality, which ultimately led to the Voting Rights Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The protest, however, was marred with violence from authorities and vigilantes. John Lewis, then 25, led the demonstrators, but they were brutally attacked, dubbed as the Bloody Sunday. The encounters were recorded, shocked the world, and underlined the need for equality.
Girl Groups Embrace the Spotlight
Prior to Beatlemania, girl groups dominated the American music scene. Pop bands like Ronettes, The Lovelites, and The Paris Sisters sang about heartbreaks, romance, and even pregnancies and enjoyed their heyday in the early '60s, but things went south when the rock band The Beatles grew popular in the United States.
Despite the global interest in the Fab Four, one of the American girl groups that managed to stay at the centerstage was The Supremes. Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson, who composed the group, stayed relevant in the '60s. They were considered the first successful act from Motown Records.
American Folk Music Revives
With the social climate during the '60s, music had inevitably become an avenue to discuss and comment on matters. That decade saw folk songs getting picked up again to be mixed with other older genres like Cajun and blues. Singers like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan (in photo), as well as Dave Van Ronk, led that revival.
Songs that came out mirroring the communities at the time were We Shall Overcome (Joan Baez) and Turn! Turn! Turn! (The Byrds). Some of the United States' issues at the time were civil rights violations and the Vietnam War.
Malcolm X Dies
Civil rights advocate Malcolm Little ditched his last name and used X instead as a nod to the Nation of Islam tradition. Having met and heard Elijah Muhammad in prison in 1946, he was inspired and became a preacher himself. However, he promoted self-defense and believed in whatever means it would take to uphold African-American liberation.
Muhammad felt that Malcolm had become too powerful, so when Malcolm aired a controversial comment on JFK's death in 1963, he took this as an opportunity to suspend him from the group. The man eventually left the group and formed a new one, only to be killed by three members of the Nation of Islam in 1965.
The Great Space Race Ensues
In the '60s, countries were in a race to reach space. It became everything at the time, even to kids, evidenced by this humongous spaceship toy. There were also TV shows about it, including the legendary The Jetsons and My Favorite Martian.
That decade saw successful space missions. In 1961, astronaut Yuri Gagarin reached space, becoming the first to do so. Alan Shepard also achieved the same feat in the next month. By 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins became the first humans to land on the moon through the Apollo 11 spaceflight.
Cyclist Passes the Torch to her Daughter
Regarded as one of the best cyclists in history, Morley, Leeds-born Beryl Burton won races after races in the '60s. Here she was teaching her child Denise how to ride a bike, something that stayed with the little girl as she went on to pursue the sport as well.
In 1967, Burton made the headlines after cycling for 12 hours, covering 277.25 miles in Yorkshire, beating the men's record. She famously handed Licorice Allsort to Mike McNamara, then men's champion, to give him a jolt of energy as she rode past him. The mother and daughter raced against each other a couple of times, including during the 1975 National Championships.
The Mamas & The Papas Highlights Folk-Rock
One of the biggest bands during the '60s was The Mamas & The Papas, perhaps most famous for their 1965 song California Dreamin, written by members Michelle and John Phillips. The folk-rock group was known for its harmonious blending that produced a soft sound.
Together with the Beach Boys and the Byrds, The Mamas & The Papas became one of the most successful acts of that decade. Unfortunately, they disbanded in 1968 allegedly because of infighting before reuniting in 1971 for their album People Like Us. They were able to produce the album because a contract still bound them.
Colin Cowdrey's Kids Follows in Father's Footsteps
The late Colin Cowdrey was a famous cricketer and was the first to be awarded a peerage. The athlete, who started as a teenage prodigy, was also the first to have played 100 Tests. The Kent County Cricket Club pride was described as without flaws, but in his autobiography, he admitted that he was diffident and shy.
Cowdrey died in December 2000 due to a heart attack. His legacy was lived by his kids, who followed in his footsteps. His son Graham, who passed away in November 2020 at 56, was also a batsman.
Camping Vans' Popularity Soars
During the '60s, good old camping was a favorite pastime. It was a great way to distress with friends and families, and people from that decade were familiar with the Volkswagen Camper Van like this in the photo. Small cabins attached to the rear end of cars were no longer necessary with this RV-type vehicle.
Despite being a symbol of the '60s camping climate, Volkswagen reportedly had to stop production of this old-school ride in Brazil. The German company said that it reached a decision after learning that it couldn't keep up with South American laws, mandating anti-lock braking systems and airbags.
Knitted, Crocheted Clothes Are Cool
Many people loved donning knitted clothes in the '60s, like these girls who were watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1961. At the time, the fashion-forward were fond of creating clothes out of yarns and wools, mostly for comfort and warmth. However, there were a few designers who managed to incorporate this technique in their creations.
Although crocheted and knitted outfits were popular during that decade, the trend never truly fizzled out. Stars like Mad Max actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Victoria's Secret Angel Hailey Baldwin Bieber were photographed wearing knitwear in bright colors.
Kids Watch Favorite Cartoons
There's no shortage of kids series in the '60s, and these children were probably watching their favorite program. Some of the more popular shows from the decade include The Flintstones, The Perils of Penelope Pitstop, and Dennis the Menace. Far from the flat-screen people have known, the television sets used to be boxy and heavy.
It is worth noting, however, that these children might be too close to the screen. Several studies have found that prolonged screen time has adverse effects on the little ones, including sleeping and educational problems, violence, and obesity.
Mom Seeks Help from Daughter
Moms really know best. This lady named June Fowler probably had a lot of things to do around the house, especially since having triplets wasn't a walk in the park. So she sought the help of her eldest daughter Susan in folding the clothes she had ironed with the conventional flat iron.
Nowadays, garment steamers are also an effective way to remove wrinkles from fabrics. One doesn't have to use a board since it can be used on hung clothes, but it is suitable for wool, satin, and silk. Steam irons, meanwhile, boast features from both techniques.
Popeye's Turn to Grace the Spotlight
Everybody's favorite buff sailorman, Popeye, first appeared in the 1929 comics Thimble Theatre. A few years later, Paramount Pictures released a series that became one of the most-watched in the '30s. As such, it didn't come as a surprise that the cartoon character graced Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for several years.
It was said to have debuted in the parade in 1957, although it suffered a mishap. Apparently, it rained that day, and Popeye's hat got filled with water, which caused the balloon to lean forward. This was followed by other appearances in the '60s.
Barbie Comes to Life
In 1959, Ruth Handler invented dolls that she named after her child, Barbara. We now know the toy to be Barbie or Barbara Millicent Roberts. It grew popular in the '60s, and with the iconic character representing over a hundred jobs, the founder hoped it would inspire kids to dream that they could be anything they want to be.
However, the lineup's best-selling doll was Totally Hair Barbie in 1992, which featured the toy's luscious locks that flowed from head to toe. Handler died in 2002, but her creation remained alive and evolving to this day.
Man Studies the Moon
The '60s were all about space as countries were in a hurry to reach and understand what was out there. Before the decade ended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration achieved the feat of bringing the first people to the moon.
Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin were sent out on a lunar landing mission via the Apollo 11 mission. Months later, in November 1969, Alan Beal (in photo) and his team went to the moon again, landing at Ocean of Storms to explore, dubbed as the Apollo 12.
Batman Guides Kids
Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, and George Clooney were just some of the notable actors who have portrayed the iconic superhero, Batman. Back in the '60s, Adam West stepped on the Caped Crusader's role for the ABC series.
West took out his costume for a road safety ad in 1967, at the height of the popularity of the Batman series. He went on to reprise the role in several films before retiring. Bruce Wayne and his alter ego character remain a hit among fans. Robert Pattinson is set to become the masked man in the next film slated for a 2022 premiere.
Kills Time by Playing Cards
During the '60s, gadgets weren't as advanced as today, so many groups of friends would resort to traditional ways to kill time. These ladies, for instance, decided to play cards to beat boredom, but where did cards really come from? The origin of the deck of playing cards remains shrouded in mystery as many countries claimed to have invented it.
Some say that it originated in China after ancient scrolls that mentioned paper tiles were discovered. European materials, however, argued that cards came from Arabia because of the emergence of the Saracen's game. Then there's a theory that the first deck came from India.
Recording Devices Evolve
This ancient contraption called reel to reel tape was once the go-to tech for recording. In the '60s, life wasn't as easy as capturing moments with a smartphone. This woman was actually holding a recording device, which was used together with a reel recorder.
Taken in Japan in 1965, the gadget was made by Hitachi. Now, it's hard to imagine needing to bring this whenever you need to record since it's not the most compact and portable tech. Phones aren't just used to catch precious scenes but can also be utilized to communicate with people from far away places.
Twiggy Becomes an International Supermodel
Legendary fashion designer Mary Quant, whose locks became iconic, and Lesley Hornby, famously known as Twiggy, became a powerful tag team back in the '60s. The model was just a teen when she became the expert's muse, who popularized and normalized mini-skirts abroad.
Twiggy was also reportedly the first to be called an international supermodel after breaking conventional beauty and femininity standards. Many rebellious women hoping to shatter traditions looked up to her. With a short hairdo and slender frame, she stood out from the crowd of stars that were aligned with the conventions.
Jelly Dominates 1960 Desserts
Merely looking at this photo can make anyone hungry. But don't be fooled; this is actually the cover of rock band Allister's album titled Guilty Pleasures, released in 2006. With this cover, however, we can't help but wonder about the popular desserts back in the '60s.
That decade saw the rise of anything with jelly, including the Whip n' Chill from Jell-O. It was marketed as a box of a mix that resulted in a light pudding-like dessert. The Broken Glass Cake, which got its name from its look, also grew famous. The jelly and whipped cream sweet dish is still served nowadays.