1966 Fun Facts, Trivia and History

 1966 Fun Facts, Trivia and History

Quick Facts from 1966:

• World Changing Event: Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution
• The Top Song was I’m A Believer by The Monkees
• The Movies to Watch include Alfie, The Sand Pebbles, The Professionals and Fantastic Voyage
• The Most Famous Person in America was probably Walt Disney
• Notable books include: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and The Little Red Book, aka Quotations From Chairman Mao by Mao Tse-tung
• Price of one Scott ‘Jumbo’ paper towels, 200 sheet in 1966: 30 cents
  Playing cards: 2 decks for 58 cents
  1 Wham-O Superball: 66 cents
• US Life Expectancy: Males: 66.7 years, Females: 73.8 years
• The Funny Lady was: Phyllis Diller
  The Funny Guy was: Don Rickles
  The Funny Late Night Host: Johnny Carson
• Bird is the Word: In 1966, a survey found that 100% of New Yorkers over 60 pronounced “bird” like “boid.” Among 8-19 year olds it was 4%.

“The Quotes:”
“Beam me up, Scotty”
– William Shatner, as Cat. James Kirk, in ‘Star Trek’

“Have it your way”
– Burger King

“Fly the friendly skies”
– United Airlines

Pop Culture Facts:
James Faria and Robert Wright of Monsanto Industries invented AstroTurf in 1965. In 1966, it was first used in Houston’s Astro Dome.

Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, pound-for-pound, five times stronger than steel.

Allen Astles tiddly-winked 10,000 tiddlywinks in just 3 hours, 51 minutes and 41 seconds at the University of Wales.

The 8-track was a new-fangled option on many Ford cars.

John Lennon commented that The Beatles were “bigger than Jesus.”

In 1966, there was a sharp decrease in the Japanese birthrate because it was considered unlucky for a woman to be born that year, so many families aborted their female babies.

Broadway Show – Mame (Musical) Opened on May 24, 1966 and Closed: January 3, 1970

Broadway Show – Cabaret (Musical) Opened on November 20, 1966 and Closed: September 6, 1969

1966 Billboard Number One Songs
January 1- January 7:
The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel

January 8 – January 22:
We Can Work It Out – The Beatles

January 29 – February 4:
The Sound of Silence Simon & Garfunkel

February 5 – February 18:
My Love – Petula Clark

February 19 – February 25:
Lightnin’ Strikes – Lou Christie

February 26 – March 4:
These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra

March 5 – April 8:
The Ballad Of The Green Berets – Sgt Barry Sadler

April 9 – April 29:
(You’re My) Soul And Inspiration – The Righteous Brothers

April 30 – May 6:
Good Lovin’ – The Young Rascals

May 7 – May 27:
Monday, Monday – The Mamas & The Papas

May 28 – June 10:
When A Man Loves A Woman Percy Sledge

June 11 – July 24:
Paint It, Black – The Rolling Stones

June 25 – July 1:
Paperback Writer – The Beatles

July 2 – July 8:
Strangers In The Night – Frank Sinatra

July 9 – July 15:
Paperback Writer – The Beatles

July 16 – July 24:
Hanky Panky – Tommy James

July 30 – August 12:
Wild Thing – The Troggs

August 13 – September 2:
Summer In The City – The Lovin’ Spoonful

September 3 – September 9:
Sunshine Superman – Donovan

September 10 – September 23:
You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes

September 24 – October 14:
Cherish – The Association

October 15 – October 28:
Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops

October 29 – November 4:
96 Tears – ? & the Mysterians

November 5 – November 11:
Last Train To Clarksville – The Monkees

November 12 – November 18:
Poor Side Of Town – Johnny Rivers

November 19 – December 2:
You Keep Me Hangin’ On – The Supremes

December 3 – December 9:
Winchester Cathedral – The New Vaudeville Band

December 10 – December 16:
Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys

December 17 – December 30:
Winchester Cathedral – The New Vaudeville Band

December 31, 1966 – February 17, 1967:
I’m A Believer – The Monkees