Look Back To 1960: What Happened That Year

Coronation Street began, national service ended and the sixties had not started yet.

Here's 1960 in full - the music, the news, the screen, the sport and the ordinary details. Good for a birthday card, a party quiz round or a reminiscence session.

In the charts in 1960

• Cliff Richard and the Shadows were the biggest British act of the year; 'Apache' by the Shadows was one of the year's best sellers.
• Elvis Presley returned from the army and had several number ones.
• Emile Ford and the Checkmates' 'What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?' opened the year at number one.

In the news in 1960

• National service ended, with the last conscripts called up in 1960.
• The farthing had already gone; pounds, shillings and pence continued.
• Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones in May, televised from Westminster Abbey.

On screen in 1960

• Coronation Street began on 9 December.
• Psycho and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning were the films that caused arguments.
• Television sets were still rented by most households.

In sport in 1960

• Burnley won the First Division title.
• The Rome Olympics saw Don Thompson win Britain's walking gold.
• Wolverhampton Wanderers won the FA Cup.

Everyday life in 1960

• The Mini was becoming a common sight two years after launch.
• Coffee bars and jukeboxes were where teenagers went.
• Rationing was well behind, but many homes still had outside toilets.

If you were born in 1960

• Anyone born in 1960 is the same age as Coronation Street.
• They were six when England won the World Cup and nine at the moon landing.
• Anyone born in 1960 turns 30 in 1990, 40 in 2000, 50 in 2010, 60 in 2020 and 70 in 2030.
• For a milestone card, the strongest line is usually the number one from the week they were born rather than the year's biggest events - it's personal, and it takes two minutes to find.
• For a reminiscence session, read one section at a time and stop on whatever gets a reaction. The point is the conversation, not the facts.

Shop birthday cards

How to write it so it lands

• The number one from the week they were born beats the year's headlines on a card.
• Read one section at a time in a reminiscence session and stop where the conversation starts.
• Use it as a guess-the-year round by reading three facts and hiding the date.

Where to shop next

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• The 1960s: the whole decade
• 1960s party playlist
• Playground games by region
• Knock down ginger
• Conkers rules
• Marbles rules
• School dinners we all remember
• The 2020s so far
• The 2010s: the whole decade
• The 2000s: the whole decade
• The 1990s: the whole decade
• The 1980s: the whole decade
• The 1970s: the whole decade
• The 1950s: the whole decade
• The 1940s: the whole decade
• The 1930s: the whole decade
• The 1920s: the whole decade
• Decade calendar: every year from 1920
• Decade trivia: fun facts by era
• Decade trivia game: play for points
• Decade guides: books, films and TV by era
• Decade recipes: dishes and food trends by era
• Decade travel: destinations and holidays by era
• Decade tech: gadgets and computers by era
• Decade films: best movies and directors by era
• Decade art: artists, styles and trends by era
• Decade books: best novels, authors and reading trends
• Music by decade: albums, artists and songs
• Decade fashion: clothes, hair and accessories by era
• Nostalgia gift shop
• Retro party supplies
• Nostalgia birthday party by decade
• Nostalgia hamper and gift ideas
• Guess the year quiz
• Care home reminiscence quiz
• Reminiscence gifts for grandparents
• Milestone birthday cards
• Shop birthday cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

When did national service end?

The last men were called up in 1960 and the final national servicemen left the forces in 1963.

When did Coronation Street first air?

9 December 1960.

How old is someone born in 1960?

Subtract 1960 from the current year. They turn 40 in 2000, 50 in 2010, 60 in 2020 and 70 in 2030.

Do you sell anything to do with this year?

We make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK, including milestone birthday cards. This page itself is free to read and free to copy.