14 Unforgettable Moments Only ‘60s Kids Will Remember
Each decade has unique and memorable experiences, shaping the lives of those who live through them. However, life is life, and things won’t always be sunshine and rainbows.
Kids from the ‘60s lived through very polarizing times. On the one hand, they witnessed Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon, Barbie’s first release, and even the popularization of Tang. On the other hand, however, they also lived a life plagued by the horrors of war.
Their lives are a mix of good and bad experiences, and though not everything is picture-perfect, they make up who they are today. If you want to learn more, check out this list, which contains the top 15 most memorable experiences and moments that ‘60s kids will never forget!
The First-ever Release Of Sesame Street
Sesame Street is one of the most iconic kids’ TV series ever, and its franchise is popular even today. However, everything started when the first season premiered on Nov. 10, 1969.
During this time, about 1.9 million households, roughly 7 million children, watched the show daily. Sesame Street is still loved by kids and parents alike because of the life lessons and humor each and every episode contains.
Neil Armstrong Taking Man’s First Steps On The Moon
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong made waves in history when he first stepped on the moon. This event was not the first documented and shared through television, but it was one of the most important.
The National Air and Space Museum explains that sharing Apollo 11’s landing on the moon with the rest of the world was a big priority during this time. At this point in history, magazines and newspapers were already losing popularity, while 95% of American homes owned at least one television. Broadcasting his first steps on the moon was indeed a big challenge, but fortunately, the broadcast was a success, and they had over 500 million people watching as America made history.
The Woodstock Music And Art Fair
The Woodstock Music and Art Fair was a famous music festival that took place from August 15 to 18, 1969. Hippies from the ‘60s took this opportunity to spread the peace sign through banners all around the event.
Woodstock is a particularly notable part of history, as it took place during the Vietnam War when people wanted to spread the message of peace. The event was also where the hand sign for peace, the V-sign, was popularized.
The First-ever Super Bowl
Football is an old sport that has been part of American history for decades, as the first-ever football game was played on Nov. 6, 1869. However, it only started gaining the kind of popularity and following it has now in 1967 when the first Super Bowl took place, where the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.
Today, there have been more than 50 Super Bowls, showing how embedded the game is in the country's culture. Don Crisman, a Super Bowl fanatic who’s been to all games since 1967, shares what it’s truly like through his interview with People. He says, “I think the first Super Bowl ticket was $12, and now they're in four figures; it seemed like the average person could attend back in those first 20 years.”
The Debut Of The Beatles
Sixty years ago, The Beatles changed the music scene when they made their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. Their appearance on Feb. 9, 1964, was their first-ever televised performance in America, and this event made waves in music history.
The most famous Beatles songs include “Here Comes the Sun” and “Let It Be.” However, beyond their songs, people loved The Beatles because of each and every person in the band. They were looked up to because they wrote their own songs, they were considered people’s inspiration because of the message they tried to share through their work, and they were considered relevant because of their unique personalities.
Kids Riding All Around With Banana Bikes
In the ‘60s, kids used to play outside a lot. Sadly, today’s kids obsess over indoor activities, such as playing with their phones, tablets, computers, or gaming consoles.
One of the most popular activities in the ‘60s was going around the neighborhood with your friends while riding your banana bikes. These bikes were stylized children’s bicycles that originated in the 1960s. They were designed to mimic or resemble a chopper motorcycle and are usually characterized by their unique handlebars and banana seats.
Young Girls Playing With Their Barbie Dolls
The first-ever Barbie doll was introduced during the New York Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. When the doll debuted, she wore a black-and-white striped swimsuit and her signature Barbie ponytail.
Since then, she has evolved into many different looks and personalities. However, one thing remains true: Barbie was a favorite among many young girls in the 1960s, and she will forever be part of every woman’s life.
Tang Was Everyone’s Drink Of Choice
When we think of juices today, one of the first brands that might come to mind for older generations is Tang. Tang is an American juice drink released in 1957 and marketed in powdered form in 1959; it was widely popular in the 1960s and ‘70s but not that much today.
As CNN explains, Tang debuted in 1957 as a breakfast drink packed with one of the vitamins kids needed most. In just two years, they marketed the powdered form as a shelf-stable alternative to fresh orange juice. However, while it’s true that Tang is more convenient, fewer and fewer parents today are letting their kids drink this juice because the first two items on its ingredient list — which means they are the most prominent ingredients — are sugar and fructose.
Passing The Time With Etch A Sketch
Toys like Etch A Sketch are still available today, though they are a lot less popular because of all the digital options kids have now. In the 1960s, however, Etch A Sketch was one of the most unique things a child could play with.
It was marketed as a magic screen which, unlike paper, you can write on and erase without throwing anything out. The Museum of Play states that Etch A Sketch is made up of a mixture of aluminum powder and tiny plastic beads placed inside a clear plastic screen; this allows kids to “draw” on the Etch A Sketch. When you turn the screen over and shake it, the picture you just drew would be erased, giving you an entirely new, blank page to draw on.
Watching One’s Favorite Shows Through Giant Dial TVs
Our TVs today are designed to be space-savers. They’re flat and can be placed on top of small shelves or even hung up on walls; some are even made to look like gallery frames and artworks while turned off, giving them a dual purpose.
However, in the olden days, the only option people had were giant dial TVs. In addition, as TVs became more affordable and accessible to the masses, TV ownership went from 88% to 96% between 1959 and 1970.
Singing Along To All The Songs In The Sound Of Music
Julie Andrews is one of the most famous names in Hollywood, and alongside her is one of her best and most famous works ever: The Sound of Music. This musical and romance movie was released in 1965 and is based on the 1949 memoir The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.
The Sound of Music has become so ingrained in culture and society that not just kids from the ‘60s know of it — even those from younger generations know at least one song or a part of the musical's lyrics. People even use some of its songs to teach kids about the basics of music and how to read notes; more specifically, they use the song “Do-Re-Mi.”
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Death
Martin Luther King Jr. is a name that will forever be synonymous with civil rights. He led the movement to end segregation in the United States and counter societal prejudice through peaceful protest.
Martin Luther King Jr. also made iconic speeches that we still reflect on today. Unfortunately, he was assassinated at 6:05 p.m. on April 4, 1968, while he was on the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis.
John F. Kennedy’s Assassination
Another big name that will forever be remembered is John F. Kennedy — the 35th U.S. President. He was the youngest person ever elected president and served the nation from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.
Lee Harvey Oswald was a U.S. Marine veteran who was accused of the assassination. However, two days later, he was killed by Jack Ruby, an American nightclub owner. Though there are many conspiracy theories and guesses as to why Oswald killed Kennedy and whether or not he acted alone, until today, people still don’t have the exact answers.
The Cuban Missile Crisis Of October 1962
The 1960s was plagued by many wars, including the Cold War, which transpired between 1962 and 1979. The Cuban Missle Crisis, which happened in October 1962, was the moment when the United States and the Soviet Union came as close as possible to nuclear conflict.
Though the public didn’t necessarily become more stressed or anxious, some rise in negative behavior, such as drinking, was noted during this time. The only good this crisis brought was that it rallied the country’s people to support the president and his actions to counter the attack.
