What happened in May 1965?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1965, 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📈 London Stock Market Recovery – London Stock Market shows brisk recovery with industrials gaining and government bonds climbing as the pound strengthens.
- May 2🌉 New Rio Grande Bridge – A new bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos is set to open in August, becoming the third highest in the U.S.
- May 3📡 Live TV Links Continents – Early Bird Satellite connects two continents with live television, marking the opening of a commercial network for transatlantic relays.
- May 4🌍 U.N. Clash Intensifies – Stevenson counters Soviet charges at the U.N., emphasizing U.S. stance against militarism and support for democracy in the Americas.
- May 5🏛️ Denmark's Liberation Celebration – Princess Benedikte joins the 20th anniversary dinner marking Denmark's liberation from Nazi occupation.
- May 6🎬 Synanon Opens Film – The film 'Synanon' opens, depicting the struggles and recovery of narcotics addicts in a West Coast community.
- May 7🏺 Ancient Canals Unearthed – 1,900-year-old irrigation canals used by Native Americans are discovered in Arizona, shedding light on ancient agricultural practices.
- May 8📈 Economists Optimistic Outlook – Economists and business leaders express confidence in the economic outlook for 1965, dismissing inflation concerns.
- May 9🌍 Color TV Growth – 1965 marks a significant year for the arrival of color television in the U.S., outpacing other consumer fields.
- May 10🌍 New Nuclear Reactor – Canada unveils a new nuclear reactor designed to use tap water for cooling, promising major savings and low-cost power.
- May 11📚 Scholarship Law Eased – Lawmakers vote to allow use of scholarships for out-of-state colleges, expanding educational opportunities for students.
- May 12✈️ F-111B Fighter Unveiled – The Navy showcases the controversial F-111B fighter at Grumman Plant, with officials defending its capabilities.
- May 13🌕 Soviet Spaceship Strikes Moon – A Soviet spacecraft aimed for a soft landing on the Moon but failed, marking a significant moment in space exploration.
- May 14📡 ABC Plans Satellite – ABC announces plans for a domestic satellite to replace ground relay for television broadcasting.
- May 15🏭 Du Pont Plant Planned – Du Pont announces plans for a major Nylon-Dacron plant in Ruhr, raising questions about U.S. trade policies.
- May 16🌍 World's Fair Attendance Soars – Record attendance at the World's Fair boosts spirits of exhibitors, marking a high for the year.
- May 17💥 Explosions in Vietnam – Blasts at Bienhoa Air Base kill 21 Americans and damage 40 planes, marking a significant escalation in the Vietnam conflict.
- May 18🌳 Tree Fight in Mount Vernon – Women protest by sitting in bulldozers' path to halt a road project bordering Hunts Woods.
- May 19🔬 Mice Breathe Underwater – Laboratory mice successfully live submerged, breathing heavily oxygenated saline solution under pressure.
- May 20📈 U.S. Bulk-Carrier Growth – The U.S. emphasizes the expansion of its bulk-carrier fleet, prioritizing development programs for maritime transport.
- May 21🚢 Michelangelo Maiden Voyage – The Michelangelo, Italy's newest luxury liner, completes its maiden voyage, marking a significant addition to the Italian fleet.
- May 22🏁 Yachts Race for Trophy – Record fleet of 111 yachts sets sail in a 130-mile race for the Edlu Trophy, showcasing competitive sailing.
- May 23📚 Biblical History Published – E.A. Speiser's 'In the Beginning: The World and the Word' is released, marking a significant contribution to biblical scholarship.
- May 24🌍 Dominican Truce Continues – A cease-fire persists in the Dominican Republic as U.S. efforts push for peace, with Marines attending church services.
- May 25📏 Metric System Shift – Britain announces a gradual 10-year transition to the metric system, aiming to align with European standards and boost exports.
- May 26🥊 Clay Knocks Out Liston – Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, knocks out Sonny Liston in the first round, retaining his heavyweight title amid controversy.
- May 27📺 TV Satellites Proposed – Sarnoff predicts TV satellites could send programs into homes, costing about $30 million, similar to a station.
- May 28🎾 Roche Wins Tennis Semi – Roche defeats Emerson in the French Tennis semi-finals, ending his bid for a sweep. Stolle also advances by defeating Drysdale.
- May 29🚀 Gemini Space Meeting – Gemini mission plans to attempt a space rendezvous using a booster and rocket gun for maneuvering.
- May 30🏇 Historic Belmont Stakes – The Belmont Stakes, known as the 'Test of the Champion,' highlights the pursuit of the Triple Crown in horse racing.
- May 31🌍 Yemen's Capital Experimenting – Students in Sana are using English, showcasing the impact of foreign aid projects on education.
Happy Birthday! 1965 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1965 in real headlines. See the 1965 book →