What happened in March 1966?
The top front-page story of each day in March 1966, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Mar 1🥊 Clay-Terrell Fight Shifted – The title fight between Clay and Terrell is moved to Louisville on March 29, with promotion by King expected.
- Mar 2🔬 Blood Cost Cut – A new economic method for freezing and storing blood has been perfected, significantly reducing costs associated with blood services.
- Mar 3📉 Market Tumbles Again – Stock prices decline for the second session, with the Dow showing a drop of 6.18 points, marking a low since 1963.
- Mar 4🌍 U.S. Birth Control Aid – The U.S. announces a $20 million program to increase birth control aid in foreign countries.
- Mar 5🔬 Device Increases Oxygen – Discovery by Esso seen as beneficial for space and medical applications, with various ideas covered by patents.
- Mar 6🌍 Beirut Leads Tourism Boom – Beirut emerges as the preferred tourist capital of the Middle East, surpassing Cairo in attracting visitors.
- Mar 7🏛️ Lincoln Shrine Begins – A Lincoln shrine is initiated in Illinois, with the old state capitol being rebuilt to resemble its 1858 structure.
- Mar 8🌨️ Blizzard's Livestock Toll – Blizzard causes tremendous livestock losses; Georgia towns experience significant flooding, while Mississippi's toll is reduced.
- Mar 9🏛️ Senate Approves Benefits – Senate votes to extend Social Security coverage to 1.8 million aged 70 or older, marking a significant expansion of benefits.
- Mar 10🌍 U.S. Scholars Visit China – U.S. permits scholars to visit Communist China and four other restricted countries, easing travel restrictions significantly.
- Mar 11🏙️ N.Y.U. Opens Urban Unit – N.Y.U. launches an Urban Anthropology course, the first of its kind, addressing global urbanization issues.
- Mar 12🏆 Vamp X Wins Title – Vamp X secures the Southern Ocean Racing Conference title with 974.5 points, showcasing impressive performance in the race to Nassau.
- Mar 13🏨 Tunisian Hotel Boom – North African nation builds a dozen new hotels as Europeans flock across the Mediterranean to the sun.
- Mar 14🎶 David Katz Conducts Symphony – David Katz leads the American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, showcasing classical music talent.
- Mar 15✈️ New Jet Base Opens – Phanrang Field in Vietnam becomes operational, marking the establishment of the 6th jet base in the region.
- Mar 16🚀 Gemini Fueled for Link-Up – Gemini spacecraft are fueled and ready for a link-up after overcoming previous issues, marking a significant step in space exploration.
- Mar 17🚀 Gemini 8 Crew Forced Down – Gemini 8 astronauts were forced to land in the Pacific after an unstable flight following the first docking in space.
- Mar 18🚀 Gemini Failure Investigation – Engineers study data to determine causes of Gemini 8 flight failure; astronauts report to Cape Kennedy.
- Mar 19🏛️ Cultural Pact Signed – U.S. agrees to sign a cultural pact with the Soviet Union, resolving last-minute demands that had stalled negotiations.
- Mar 20🔬 NASA Investigates Gemini 8 – NASA traces Gemini 8 mishap to defective wiring, ruling out pilot error after erratic capsule behavior during flight.
- Mar 21🌍 World Trade Meeting – Executives' Association to open annual meeting focusing on communication strategies for global trade.
- Mar 22🏆 Tennis Tournament Opens – $25,000 Invitation Tennis Tournament begins at Madison Square Garden with top players competing over four days.
- Mar 23🌍 Four Major Quakes Hit – Four significant earthquakes strike China, causing damage in Singtai and reaching as far as Peking.
- Mar 24🌊 Undersea Trip Planned – Piccard to utilize Gulf Stream for a 2,000-mile journey without power, allowing close encounters with marine life.
- Mar 25🏔️ Killy Triumphs in Slalom – Jean-Claude Killy wins the men's slalom at the World Ski Championships, marking a significant achievement in skiing.
- Mar 26🏖️ Maine Coastline Decay – Bowdoin exhibition reveals Maine's beaches marred by abandoned autos, highlighting environmental concerns.
- Mar 27🏗️ Tallest Building Planned – A 47-story residential building is set to rise in New York City, featuring offices and stores on its lower floors.
- Mar 28🏆 Miss Allen Wins Slalom – Miss Allen secures victory in the Giant Slalom at the World Ski Meet, with the U.S. also placing fourth and fifth.
- Mar 29🎶 Juanita Hall Performs – Juanita Hall sings at East 74th Street, featuring tunes from 'South Pacific' in a celebrated music program.
- Mar 30🚗 Tire Safety Bill Passed – The U.S. Senate passes a Tire Safety Bill, establishing uniform grading and setting limits on automobile emissions by 1968.
- Mar 31📈 Gold Prices Rise – Gold issues see a rise on the London Stock Exchange, amid an otherwise dull market, with oil shares reacting to North Sea prospects.
Happy Birthday! 1966 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1966 in real headlines. See the 1966 book →
Born in March? Pick the day
Every birthday in March has its own On This Day in Headlines book: