What happened in December 1964?
The top front-page story of each day in December 1964, 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🚀 Mariner 4 to Mars – Mariner 4 successfully locks onto Canopus, marking a significant step in the race for Mars exploration.
- Dec 2✈️ Pope Paul Flies – Pope Paul VI departs for India to attend the International Eucharistic Congress, receiving a warm welcome in Beirut.
- Dec 3🏛️ Flags Raised at U.N – The flags of Malawi, Malta, and Zambia were raised at the United Nations, marking their admission as the newest member states.
- Dec 4🦖 New Dinosaur Species – A Yale curator reported the discovery of a new dinosaur species based on oddly-shaped bones found during excavations.
- Dec 5🔬 Cambodians Arrive for Talks – A Cambodian delegation arrived in New Delhi for reconciliation talks with the United States, aiming for an understanding amid regional tensions.
- Dec 6🌍 Dr. King Arrives in London – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. arrived in London for a three-day visit en route to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10.
- Dec 7🏛️ Cultural Center Opens – Los Angeles's Music Center, a new cultural hub, held its grand opening with a star-studded concert, marking a significant addition to the city's arts scene.
- Dec 8🔬 New Life on Venus – Scientists at Johns Hopkins University present evidence suggesting Venus may support life, challenging previous assumptions.
- Dec 9🚀 Gemini Test Slated – A Titan rocket will launch a Gemini capsule to test re-entry for upcoming two-man space flights scheduled for early next year.
- Dec 10🔬 Smallpox Drug Effective – Tests in Brazil and India confirm methisazone's effectiveness in protecting against smallpox, even in advanced cases.
- Dec 11🏅 Dr. King Accepts Prize – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, representing the civil rights movement's struggle for justice.
- Dec 12🇰🇪 Kenya Becomes Republic – Kenya became a republic today amid celebrations, marking the end of its link to the British Crown, with President Kenyatta leading the festivities.
- Dec 13🐋 Blue Whale Threatened – The blue whale, the largest living creature, faces extinction, raising concerns among biologists and humanitarians.
- Dec 14🚤 Campbell's Speed Record Attempt – Donald Campbell selects Lake Dumbleyung in Australia for his world water speed record attempt of 260.3 mph.
- Dec 15📜 U.S. to Show Scrolls – Jordan and the U.S. signed an agreement to display the Dead Sea Scrolls in the U.S., starting with a shipment to Washington on Dec. 22.
- Dec 16🛰️ Satellite Discovers Pocket – Explorer 18 has found a neutral pocket in space with a weak or nonexistent magnetic field, according to the space agency.
- Dec 17🛰️ Italian Satellite Launched – Italy's first satellite, San Marcos I, successfully entered orbit after a flawless launch, exceeding its expected operational lifespan.
- Dec 18🔬 8,000-Year-Old City Plan – An 8,000-year-old habitation site was discovered in southern Turkey, shedding light on ancient urban planning.
- Dec 19🌍 Earth's Shadow on Moon – A total eclipse of the moon was perfectly visible, providing a stunning celestial display for observers.
- Dec 20🏆 UCLA Wins Championship – UCLA becomes the first undefeated team since 1957 to finish a perfect season by winning the National Collegiate championship.
- Dec 21🌕 Moon Temperature Data – A U.S. scientific team successfully measured temperatures on the moon's surface during a total lunar eclipse.
- Dec 22🇨🇦 New Canadian Flag – Canada's Parliament approved a new national flag design, marking a significant step in the country's identity, pending royal approval.
- Dec 23🌍 U.N. Airlifts Refugees – The United Nations airlifted 1,000 Rwandan refugees from Congo's Kivu Province to safety in Tanganyika amid ongoing conflict.
- Dec 24🌏 World Bank Loan – The World Bank announced a $25 million loan to Japan for building an expressway from Tokyo's airport to Yokohama.
- Dec 25🌍 New Canal Planned – President Johnson announced plans to build a new canal across the isthmus, marking a significant infrastructure decision.
- Dec 26⚡ Japan's Atomic Power Plant – Japan's first commercial atomic power plant will begin supplying electricity to Tokyo by September 1965, announced the Japan Atomic Power Company.
- Dec 27🌍 UNESCO Creates Global University – UNESCO is establishing an international university to promote global education and cooperation among nations.
- Dec 28🚀 Mariner Distance Milestone – Mariner 4 surpassed 50 million miles on its journey to Mars, continuing to send valuable data back to Earth.
- Dec 29📚 New President Elected – Giuseppe Saragat, leader of the Democratic Socialist party, was elected as Italy's fifth President, marking a significant political shift.
- Dec 30🎉 Gold and Silver Ball – The Gold and Silver Ball was held at the Plaza, featuring 800 subdebutantes and their escorts dancing in the Grand Ballroom.
- Dec 31🔬 Leukemia Study Breakthrough – A significant advance in leukemia research was reported, marking the first successful growth of human leukemic viruses in animals.
Happy Birthday! 1964 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1964 in real headlines. See the 1964 book →
Born in December? Pick the day
Every birthday in December has its own On This Day in Headlines book: