What happened in May 1964?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1964, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1🏛️ World's Fair Opens – The New York World's Fair opened, showcasing innovations and cultural exhibits, with Mrs. Kennedy visiting and expressing hopes for lasting displays.
- May 2🏟️ World's Fair Opens – The New York World's Fair opened, showcasing innovations and culture, attracting thousands to its exhibitions and performances.
- May 3🏇 Northern Dancer Wins Derby – Northern Dancer won the 90th Kentucky Derby, breaking a record with a time of 2:00 for 1¼ miles, defeating Hill Rise by a neck.
- May 4🏆 Soviet Atomic Power Plant – The Soviet Union announced the launch of a new atomic power station in the Urals, marking a significant step in their energy capabilities.
- May 5🔬 Olympic Group Drive – A long-range program to restore U.S. Olympic supremacy against the Soviet Union was announced, aiming to enhance sports performance.
- May 6🔬 Soviet Spacecraft Update – The Soviet spacecraft Zond-1 is 6.3 million miles from Earth, transmitting data back after its launch on April 2.
- May 7🔬 Satellite Corp. Stock Price – Communications Satellite Corporation moves closer to market with $200 million financing registration filed with SEC.
- May 8🏛️ Real Madrid in Final – Real Madrid defeated F.C. Zurich 6-0, advancing to the European Cup final against Internazionale of Milan on May 27.
- May 9🌍 G.E. Signs Major Contract – General Electric signed a $95 million contract to build a nuclear power plant for India, marking a significant milestone in international energy collaboration.
- May 10🌌 French Bathyscaph Dives – The French bathyscaph Archimede successfully dived to a depth of 17,700 feet in the Puerto Rican Trench, marking a significant achievement in deep-sea exploration.
- May 11🌋 Sicilian Volcano Erupts – Mount Etna erupted, sending lava from its central crater. Experts reported no cause for alarm despite the fiery glow.
- May 12🌋 Mount Vesuvius Erupts – Mount Vesuvius reported seismic activity, alarming residents after being dormant since 1944.
- May 13🏗️ Royal Dutch $1 Billion Outlay – Royal Dutch-Shell Group announces capital expenditures exceeding $1 billion in 1964, a one-third increase from 1963.
- May 14🌍 Tanganyika-Zanzibar Union – Tanganyika and Zanzibar formally united, reducing UN membership from 113 to 112 countries.
- May 15🌍 Khrushchev Diverts Nile – Khrushchev and Nasser set off an explosion to divert the Nile River, marking a significant step in the Aswan Dam project.
- May 16🇿🇦 Basutoland Independence Hope – Britain agreed to grant Basutoland a large measure of self-government and a chance for complete independence in 1965.
- May 17🏆 Northern Dancer Wins – Northern Dancer, the Kentucky Derby winner, triumphed in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, securing his place in horse racing history.
- May 18🌍 Pope's New Secretariat – Pope Paul VI announced the formation of a Vatican Secretariat for Non-Christians to promote interfaith dialogue.
- May 19🏛️ Supreme Court Ruling – The Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a statute that stripped naturalized Americans of citizenship for living abroad.
- May 20🌍 Zambia Gains Independence – Northern Rhodesia will become the Republic of Zambia on October 24, marking a significant step in African independence.
- May 21🎨 National Arts Institute Induction – The American Academy of Arts and Letters honored artists, writers, and composers at their annual induction ceremony.
- May 22🏛️ Bronze Portals Arrive – The first of two heavy sculptured bronze portals for St. Peter's Basilica arrived in the Vatican from Milan.
- May 23🏛️ Louis Armstrong Museum – The birthplace of jazz legend Louis Armstrong will be preserved as a museum dedicated to his legacy in New Orleans.
- May 24🏟️ Braves Hit Four Homers – The Milwaukee Braves hit four home runs, two by rookie Rico Carty, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 8-4.
- May 25🏆 Souchak Wins Memphis Open – Mike Souchak clinched the Memphis Open title with a birdie on the 18th hole, finishing at 10-under par 270.
- May 26🏥 Hospital Aid Bill Passed – The House approved a five-year extension of the Hill-Burton Program for federal aid in hospital construction and modernization.
- May 27🌍 Moselle Waterway Opens – Europe's newest navigable waterway, the Moselle, was officially opened, celebrated by thousands along its shores.
- May 28🕊️ Nehru Mourned Globally – World leaders pay tribute to Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, honoring his efforts for peace and his influence on modern India.
- May 29🌪️ Typhoon Hits Hong Kong – A typhoon with 70 mph winds struck Hong Kong, injuring 41 and leaving thousands homeless, while causing significant damage.
- May 30🎾 Smith Wins French Final – Margaret Smith of Australia defeated Helga Schultze of Germany in the semi-finals of the French tennis championships at Roland Garros.
- May 31🚢 Nuclear-Powered Vessel – The N/S Savannah, the world's first nuclear-powered merchant ship, prepares for trans-Atlantic service.
Happy Birthday! 1964 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1964 in real headlines. See the 1964 book →