1966

Facts and Events That Happened in This Year

Dec 26

Jimi Hendrix wrote 'Purple Haze' backstage at the Upper Cut Club, London.

Dec 18

Astronomer Richard Walker discovered Saturn's moon, Epimetheus.

Dec 4

A military dog 'Nemo' saved the life of his handler, Airman Robert A. Throneburg, during the Vietnam War.

Nov 11

NASA launched the Gemini program's tenth and final crewed spacecraft, Gemini 12.

Nov 6

NASA's Lunar Orbiter 2 launched atop an Atlas Agena rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida.

Oct 21

The catastrophic Tragedy of Aberfan occurred in South Wales, killing many who were in a local school, mostly children.

Oct 15

Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black-rights political organization, Black Panther Party.

Sep 16

The Metropolitan Opera House opened to a full house in New York City.

Sep 9

President Lyndon B signed the National Traffic and Motor Safety Act, which set new standards for vehicles and drivers.

Sep 8

Queen Elizabeth II of England officially opened the Severn Bridge in South West England.

Sep 8

'Star Trek: The Original Series' aired for the first time on NBC-TV.

Aug 23

The first-ever photograph was taken of the Earth from the surface of the Moon.

Jul 31

Christians burned Beatles records because of John Lennon's negative comments about Jesus.

Jul 30

England won the FIFA World Cup Final in London against Germany with a score of 4-2.

Jul 18

NASA launched Gemini X, the tenth spaceflight of the Gemini program.

Jul 5

NASA launched their spacecraft Saturn IB from Cape Kennedy, Florida, US.

Jul 4

The Beatles were banned from the Philippines.

Jun 23

Civil Rights marchers in Canton, Mississippi, were dispersed by tear gas during the 'March Against Fear.'

Jun 20

Sheila Scott became the first woman to fly solo around the world.

Jun 13

US Supreme Court declared the start of informing potential criminals of their rights. These became known as the Miranda rights.

Jun 11

The Rolling Stones hit single 'Paint It Black' reached number 1 in the US.

May 16

The Beach Boys released their album 'Pet Sounds,' featuring the hit single 'Wouldn't It Be Nice.'

May 1

The Beatles performed their final show in England at Empire Pool in Wembley, London.

Apr 30

The Church of Satan was established at the Black House in San Francisco.

Apr 18

NBA hired the first African American coach Bill Russell for the Boston Celtics.

Apr 11

Frank Sinatra recorded his hit 'Strangers in the Night.'

Mar 31

Luna 10 was launched by the USSR and became the first satellite to orbit the moon.

Mar 16

Van's opened its first store at 704 East Broadway in Anaheim, California.

Mar 12

Canadian ice hockey pro, Bobby Hull, set a new record with his 51st goal of the season.

Mar 4

John Lennon made a controversial statement saying that the Beatles were 'more popular than Jesus.'

Mar 1

The Venera 3 space probe became the first human-made object to land on another planet.

Feb 3

The first weather satellite (ESSA-1) was launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Jan 26

The Beaumont children, Jane, Arnna, and Grant, vanished from a beach in Adelaide, Australia, and were never found.

Jan 19

Indira Gandhi was elected as India's fourth Prime Minister.

Jan 14

David Jones changed his name to David Bowie and released his first single, 'Can't Help Thinking About Me.'

Jan 12

ABC aired Batman for the first time.