Quiz: How Much Do You Know About The 1960s?
Despite what some may believe, history fuels the future. Decades like the 1960s carry more historical significance than others because of the events and the people behind the scenes that made things happen. Wars, space travel, economic hardship, and scientific discoveries all were noteworthy moments in time during the 60s.
Many actors, actresses, athletes, and other famous people viewed with legendary status today debuted in the 1960s. Movies from that period are still considered some of the greatest films ever made. Test your 60s know-how and take this quiz about the era.
Who were the first two Astronauts to walk on the moon?
A. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin
B. Eugene Cernan and Pete Conrad
C. Sally Ride and Michael Collins
D. Jim Lovell and Fred Haise
Answer: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin
Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first to walk the moon. The pair were part of the Apollo 11 crew on a mission into space in July of 1969.
Which British rock band debuted in the U.S. on the Ed Sullivan Show?
A. The Beatles
B. The Who
C. The Rolling Stones
D. The Doors
Answer: The Beatles
In 1964, the Beatles burst onto the American music scene with their debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. The group contributed to the evolution of rock and roll and helped influence other up-and-coming artists and groups.
What was boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s name before he changed it?
A. Cassius Clay
B. Joe Louis
C. George Foreman
D. Leon Spinks
Answer: Cassius Clay
Originally known as Cassius Clay, the quote, “I am the greatest,” was famously uttered by Muhammad Ali. Clay changed his name after converting to Muslim in 1961. Ali also was credited for his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.
Which actor won the Oscar for Best Actor for their performance in Lilies of the Field?
A. Sidney Poitier
B. Billy Dee Williams
C. Denzel Washington
D. Forest Whitaker
Answer: Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier won the Oscar for Best Actor and made history in the act! Poitier was awarded the Academy Award for his role in the 1963 film Lilies of the Field.
What iconic music and pop culture magazine debuted in San Francisco in 1967?
A. Rolling Stone
B. People
C. Sports Illustrated
D. Playboy
Answer: Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone magazine rolled fresh off the presses in 1967. Believed to have its name inspired by singer Bob Dylan, the publication featured stories about music and covered politics through the 60s and 70s.
JFK worried voters in the 1960 election for practicing what religion?
A. Catholicism
B. Buddhism
C. Islam
D. Protestantism
Answer: Catholicism
Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy and his Catholicism faith had voters in the 1960 election concerned about his loyalty to the Pope over the U.S. and its citizens. Despite their worries, JFK was elected.
Which U.S. president signed into law the 1964 Civil Rights Act?
A. Lyndon Johnson
B. Richard Nixon
C. Harry Truman
D. John F. Kennedy
Answer: Lyndon Johnson
Like most politicians, Lyndon Johnson had his flaws. His work with civil rights and other social injustice issues, particularly ones of race, led to the legislation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
What term did president Richard Nixon use to describe those who did not protest the Vietnam War?
A. Silent Majority
B. Strong Willed
C. Quiet Supporters
D. Sun Belt Voters
Answer: Silent Majority
U.S. President Richard Nixon famously coined “Silent Majority” in his 1969 speech. Nixon used it about those not part of the groups who vocally and publicly voiced their opposition to the war.
The first-ever Super Bowl was won by what NFL team in 1967?
A. Green Bay Packers
B. Minnesota Vikings
C. Cleveland Browns
D. Pittsburgh Steelers
Answer: Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers won the first Super Bowl in 1967. The NFL and rival league AFL merged and created the championship award known today as the Vince Lombardi trophy, given to the last team standing.
What attack on the Vietnamese increased disapproval of the Vietnam War?
A. The Tet Offensive
B. Easter Offensive
C. Hiroshima
D. Battle of Pleiku
Answer: The Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was the name of a series of attacks on Vietnamese cities in 1968. Tet is what the Vietnamese lunar new year celebrations marking the start of the spring season are called.
Walmart Founder Sam Walton opened the first location in what state in 1962?
A. Arkansas
B. Mississippi
C. Missouri
D. Texas
Answer: Arkansas
Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in Arkansas in 1962. In Newport, Arkansas, Walton, the $20,000 his brother-in-law loaned him and the $5,000 he saved from serving in the army, welcomed customers for the first time.
Who became the Supreme Court Justice in 1967?
A. Thurgood Marshall
B. Clarence Thomas
C. Benjamin N. Cardozo
D. Louis Sturns
Answer: Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was appointed as Supreme Court Justice. Even though he was denied acceptance into the University of Maryland Law School, President Kennedy gave Marshall the title of Supreme Court Justice in 1967.
American missiles in Turkey, Italy, and Cuba caused what 13-day conflict?
A. Cuban Missile Crisis
B. Suez Crisis
C. Berlin Crisis
D. Bay of Pigs Invasion
Answer: Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis between the Soviet Union and the U.S. was created because of the American missiles in Italy, Cuba, and Turkey. Both sides managed to avoid a war after the U.S. removed the weapons from the countries.
What state was President John F. Kennedy born in?
A. Massachusetts
B. Maine
C. California
D. New York
Answer: Massachusetts
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was born in Massachusetts. On May 29th, 1917, Rose and Joseph Kennedy welcomed their baby boy in a Brookline hospital near Boston.
Who was Lyndon Johnson’s Vice-President?
A. Hubert Humphrey
B. Gerald Ford
C. Spiro Agnew
D. Harry Truman
Answer: Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Humphrey was President Johnson’s right-hand man. Humphrey claimed Minnesota despite being born in South Dakota. He ran in the 1968 elections for President of the United States, eventually losing to Richard Nixon.
“The Mods” rivaled what British subculture?
A. Rockers
B. Punks
C. Preppies
D. Trads
Answer: Rockers
Rockers had a look that conflicted with the Mods’ and was similar to that of bikers because of the black leather worn and shaggy hairstyles. Mods were known for appreciating Italian couture, which was neat and fashion-conscious.
Which event sparked the Vietnam War?
A. Gulf of Tonkin Incident
B. My Lai massacre
C. Operation Marauder
D. Pusan Perimeter Incident
Answer: Gulf of Tonkin Incident
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident was between the U.S. and northern Vietnamese forces. The two sides clashed in the location of the same name igniting the Vietnam War, which many American citizens believed at the time.
1964 was the year that what was abolished in the U.K.?
A. The Death Penalty
B. Child Labor
C. Communism
D. The Monarchy
Answer: The Death Penalty
England abolished the death penalty entirely in 1964. During the 19th century, the British used to punish minors by hanging for their crimes of theft. Other practices were similarly eliminated after capital punishment.
Which iconic car first rolled off the assembly line in 1964?
A. Mustang
B. Viper
C. VW Bug
D. VW Beetle
Answer: Mustang
Ford produced the iconic Mustang in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan. The line of cars was the first version of muscle cars. Its sleek and classic design was so popular it inspired a throwback design released in the mid-2000s.
Which designer popularized the miniskirt?
A. Mary Quant
B. Calvin Klein
C. Kenneth Cole
D. Oleg Cassini
Answer: Mary Quant
Although Andres Courreges also made miniskirts, fashion designer Mary Quant is officially credited with popularizing the miniskirt. In the 60s, Quant was known for heavily influencing the youth and mod fashion movement.
