Look Back To 1966: What Happened That Year

England won the World Cup, and then Aberfan happened in October.

Here's 1966 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 1966

• 'Green, Green Grass of Home' by Tom Jones was the year's best-selling single.
• The Beatles released Revolver in August and stopped touring.
• Tom Jones was still number one at Christmas.

In the news in 1966

• The Aberfan disaster on 21 October killed 116 children and 28 adults when a colliery spoil tip slid onto a school.
• Harold Wilson won a second general election in March with a large majority.
• The Moors murders trial took place in April and May.

On screen in 1966

• Cathy Come Home was broadcast in November and led directly to the growth of Shelter.
• Till Death Us Do Part began on the BBC.
• The World Cup final was watched by over thirty million people.

In sport in 1966

• England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time at Wembley on 30 July, with a Geoff Hurst hat-trick.
• Bobby Moore lifted the trophy; Kenneth Wolstenholme's commentary became the most quoted in British sport.
• Liverpool won the league again.

Everyday life in 1966

• World Cup Willie was the first World Cup mascot and was on everything.
• Swinging London was on the cover of Time magazine in April.
• Decimal currency was announced for 1971.

If you were born in 1966

• Anyone born in 1966 will hear about the World Cup on every birthday of their life. Shop this card
• They were born the year of Cathy Come Home and Aberfan.
• Anyone born in 1966 turns 30 in 1996, 40 in 2006, 50 in 2016, 60 in 2026 and 70 in 2036.
• 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

• Look back to 1969
• Look back to 1968
• Look back to 1967
• Look back to 1965
• Look back to 1964
• Look back to 1963
• 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
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• Nostalgia birthday party by decade
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• 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
• Birthday cards for kids
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

What was the score in the 1966 World Cup final?

England 4, West Germany 2, after extra time at Wembley on 30 July 1966.

What happened at Aberfan?

On 21 October 1966 a colliery spoil tip slid onto Pantglas Junior School and houses in the Welsh village, killing 144 people, 116 of them children.

How old is someone born in 1966?

Subtract 1966 from the current year. They turn 40 in 2006, 50 in 2016, 60 in 2026 and 70 in 2036.

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.