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Back to 1966

1966 Context: News, Entertainment, Lifestyle

1 / 20The anti-war movement grows in the US and worldwide as the Vietnam conflict escalates. US college students begin demonstrating against the Vietnam War and the "draft" as more American troops are deployed.

News

The anti-war movement grows in the US and worldwide as the Vietnam conflict escalates. US college students begin demonstrating against the Vietnam War and the "draft" as more American troops are deployed.

2 / 20A slag heap from a local coalmine slides down the mountain into Aberfan, South Wales, UK. The landslide destroys homes and a junior school killing 144 people. Over 100 of the victims are school children aged 7 to 10.

News

A slag heap from a local coalmine slides down the mountain into Aberfan, South Wales, UK. The landslide destroys homes and a junior school killing 144 people. Over 100 of the victims are school children aged 7 to 10.

3 / 20Newsweek magazine does a cover story about the growing dominance of teen culture as the baby boom generation enters their teenage years.

Lifestyle

Newsweek magazine does a cover story about the growing dominance of teen culture as the baby boom generation enters their teenage years.

4 / 20The science fiction television series Star Trek debuts on NBC. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the series airs for three seasons and attracts devoted fans.

Television

The science fiction television series Star Trek debuts on NBC. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the series airs for three seasons and attracts devoted fans.

5 / 20President Johnson continues to escalate the number of US troops in South Vietnam, from an initial contingent of 3,500 in March 1965 to nearly 500,000 American troops by the end of 1966. The lottery draft system is used, with college students exempted.

News

President Johnson continues to escalate the number of US troops in South Vietnam, from an initial contingent of 3,500 in March 1965 to nearly 500,000 American troops by the end of 1966. The lottery draft system is used, with college students exempted.

6 / 20The University of Texas at Austin comes under fire as Charles Whitman shoots students from the 28th floor observation deck of the Texas Tower. 14 people are killed and 31 wounded before Whitman is shot to death by a police officer.

News

The University of Texas at Austin comes under fire as Charles Whitman shoots students from the 28th floor observation deck of the Texas Tower. 14 people are killed and 31 wounded before Whitman is shot to death by a police officer.

7 / 20The Black Panther Party for Self Defense is founded in Oakland, California by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. The Black Panthers would spread to other cities with a goal of providing protection against police brutality, along with other social programs. The group deploys armed citizen patrols in African American neighborhoods and has several fatal clashes with police.

News

The Black Panther Party for Self Defense is founded in Oakland, California by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. The Black Panthers would spread to other cities with a goal of providing protection against police brutality, along with other social programs. The group deploys armed citizen patrols in African American neighborhoods and has several fatal clashes with police.

8 / 20"We're more popular than Jesus now" is part of a quote from Beatle John Lennon that creates a furor with US radio stations and church groups in the southern "bible belt". Leading to a ban on Beatles records on some stations and church organized record burnings.

News

"We're more popular than Jesus now" is part of a quote from Beatle John Lennon that creates a furor with US radio stations and church groups in the southern "bible belt". Leading to a ban on Beatles records on some stations and church organized record burnings.

9 / 20Richard Speck murders eight nursing students in a dormitory at a Chicago, Illinois nursing school.

News

Richard Speck murders eight nursing students in a dormitory at a Chicago, Illinois nursing school.

10 / 20England defeats Germany to win the 1966 World Cup Final.

News

England defeats Germany to win the 1966 World Cup Final.

11 / 20Detail from a 1966 advertisement for the Ford Fairlaine.

Advertising

Detail from a 1966 advertisement for the Ford Fairlaine.

12 / 20Milton Bradley introduces Twister, a game of physical skill played on a large plastic floor mat.

Lifestyle

Milton Bradley introduces Twister, a game of physical skill played on a large plastic floor mat.

13 / 20Go-Go boots, first introduced in 1964, continue to be popular. The mini skirt continues to trend upward.

Fashion

Go-Go boots, first introduced in 1964, continue to be popular. The mini skirt continues to trend upward.

14 / 201966 UK fashion shoot.

Fashion

1966 UK fashion shoot.

15 / 20Blow-Up is a hit movie thriller set in the UK fashion photography industry and directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.

Movies

Blow-Up is a hit movie thriller set in the UK fashion photography industry and directed by Michelangelo Antonioni.

16 / 20James Garner and Francois Hardy in the 1966 hit film Grand Prix.

Movies

James Garner and Francois Hardy in the 1966 hit film Grand Prix.

17 / 20The Monkees television series debuts on NBC TV in the US. The sitcom follows a group of four young men searching for success as a rock band and is heavily influenced by the first two Beatles films. The series would air until 1968.

Television

The Monkees television series debuts on NBC TV in the US. The sitcom follows a group of four young men searching for success as a rock band and is heavily influenced by the first two Beatles films. The series would air until 1968.

18 / 20Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the 1966 film Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

Movies

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the 1966 film Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

19 / 20The action television series Batman debuts on ABC. Based on the Marvel Comics crime fighting characters Batman and Robin, 120 episodes are created and the program airs until 1968.

Television

The action television series Batman debuts on ABC. Based on the Marvel Comics crime fighting characters Batman and Robin, 120 episodes are created and the program airs until 1968.

20 / 20The holiday program How The Grinch Stole Christmas airs for the first time. The show is an animated version of the 1957 Dr. Seuss book of the same name created by Chuck Jones. The program features narration and voice acting by Boris Karloff.

Television

The holiday program How The Grinch Stole Christmas airs for the first time. The show is an animated version of the 1957 Dr. Seuss book of the same name created by Chuck Jones. The program features narration and voice acting by Boris Karloff.