What happened in December 1960?
The top front-page story of each day in December 1960, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Dec 1🌍 U.S. Donates $20 Million – $20 million given to the United Nations by the U.S. to avert a financial crisis, following a plea from Dag Hammarskjold.
- Dec 2🚀 Soviet Space Launch – Soviet Union successfully launches a 5-ton spacecraft with two dogs into orbit, marking another milestone in the space race.
- Dec 3🔬 Polar Study Advances – Antarctica scientists link radio-wave hiss to auroras, marking a significant step in understanding their causes.
- Dec 4🔬 Mold Experiment Hints Peril – Research shows organisms return in a state of 'physiological death,' raising concerns for space missions.
- Dec 5🌧️ U-2's Rain Study – U-2 aircraft in Australia gather upper-atmosphere data to aid research on cloud formation.
- Dec 6🚀 Giant Rocket Flight – Project chief announces that the Nova rocket is expected to orbit heavy loads by the middle of the decade.
- Dec 7🚀 Air Force Plans Monkey – The Air Force announces plans to send a monkey into space to study the effects of radiation exposure.
- Dec 8✈️ Jet Pollution Concerns – Airliner take-offs equate to pollution from 6,850 passenger cars, raising alarms about air quality.
- Dec 9🌍 Algerians Press U.N – Algerians and supporters demand a referendum at the U.N. following a failed compromise effort on Algeria's future.
- Dec 10🌋 Scientists Drill Lava Lake – Hawaiian test drills into a lava lake, rehearsing for potential power generation from underground blasts.
- Dec 11🔬 Antarctic Isle Wired – Antarctic island is wired to trace the sun's radio waves, serving as an antenna for solar gas research.
- Dec 12🧊 Antarctic Expedition Begins – U.S. Antarctic Team departs for the South Pole to study the continent's icecap with an extensive 68-ton caravan.
- Dec 13🌨️ Record Snowstorm Hits – A severe snowstorm paralyzes travel in New England, causing significant disruptions and claiming 17 lives.
- Dec 14🚀 Lunar Rocket Launch – Pioneer VI is set to launch, designed to orbit the Moon and collect valuable data during its 60-hour journey.
- Dec 15🎄 Yule Tree Glows – A boy joins the mayor in lighting the city hall park Christmas tree, accompanied by a choral group entertaining the crowd.
- Dec 16🏛️ U.N. Algeria Referendum – Political Committee adopts resolution supporting Algeria referendum by 47 to 20, amid ongoing tensions.
- Dec 17🎭 CinderFella Opens – Jerry Lewis's film 'CinderFella' premieres, receiving poor reviews for its humor and pacing despite a star-studded cast.
- Dec 18✈️ First Flight Ceremony – A ceremony marks the opening of a visitors' center at the site of Orville Wright's first flight.
- Dec 19🏥 Wider Health Aid Drive – U.S. initiative seeks broader medical care access, urging states and cities to contribute to health services expansion.
- Dec 20🔭 Future Radio Telescope Planned – The U.S. announces plans to build a large radio telescope to track spacecraft on Mars missions and beyond.
- Dec 21🔬 Satellite in Polar Orbit – A satellite without a capsule is launched into polar orbit to measure infrared radiation, marking a significant advancement in space exploration.
- Dec 22🌊 Tanker Splits in Gale – A tanker split in Hatteras Gale, endangering 40 lives as rescue efforts faced severe sea conditions.
- Dec 23☀️ Sun Storm Disrupts Satellite – A solar storm caused the Echo satellite to go off course, providing insights into solar impacts on Earth's weather.
- Dec 24🎄 Nativity Worship Begins – Rites at St. Patrick's and St. John's will continue through Christmas Day, celebrating the Nativity.
- Dec 25🌍 U.N. Congo Youth Plan – The U.N. finances 10 training camps in Congo aimed at preventing delinquency among unemployed youth.
- Dec 26🌍 Continents Drift Theory – A British scientist supports the theory that continents drift, providing new insights into geological changes.
- Dec 27🌍 Nepal King Reshuffles Cabinet – King of Nepal forms a new government, replacing the Koirala administration he deposed earlier this month.
- Dec 28🌍 NATO Pact Signed – U.S. and four allies sign a $1.5 billion pact to produce jets, enhancing military collaboration in Europe.
- Dec 29🌍 European Space Talks – British invite continental nations to a conference early in the New Year to discuss space collaboration.
- Dec 30🚀 Satellite Policy Approved – U.S. government approves policy to assist private development of radio satellites, marking a significant step in space communications.
- Dec 31🌍 New Year Rites Set – Churches prepare for New Year celebrations with special services, including Catholic Holy Hours and Protestant Watch Night.
Happy Birthday! 1960 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1960 in real headlines. See the 1960 book →
Born in December? Pick the day
Every birthday in December has its own On This Day in Headlines book: