1966 in History

Scores a late equalizer to take the World Cup final into extra time.

Scores West Germany's opening goal in the World Cup final.

Scores both England goals in the 2-1 semi-final victory over Portugal.

During Gemini VIII American astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David Scott perform the first orbital docking

Release the album A Quick One.

Mobutu abolishes the prime ministership and concentrates executive authority in the presidency.

The Abortion Bill passes its second reading

The Government announces that British forces will withdraw from Aden as part of the defence review.

The Rolling Stones release Aftermath, their first album of entirely Jagger-Richards songs.

Kerensky continues political activity connected with anti-bolshevik activity.

Is assigned as pilot for Apollo 1.

Is named commander for the first crewed Apollo mission.

Is assigned as senior pilot for Apollo 1.

al-Rifai participates in arab summit connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.

Is arrested with three former ministers and accused of plotting to overthrow Mobutu.

CIA monitors and responds to Jim Garrison's New Orleans investigation.

Imprisoned for a breach of the peace at a Church assembly

In the autumn of 1966, Garrison began to re-examine the Kennedy assassination. Guy Banister had died of a heart attack in 1964, but Garrison re-interviewed Jack Martin, who told the district attorney that Banister and his associates were involved in stealing weapons and ammunition from armories and in gunrunning

Escapes from arrest

Arrested for being a disident, imprisoned 1966-1970

Apollo-Saturn 201 tests spacecraft systems without a crew.

Apollo-Saturn 202 tests the command module heat shield.

Assassinated by a conspiracy of predominantly Ibo officers from Eastern Nigeria

A Parliamentary messenger stabs Verwoerd during a session in the House Assembly

A Parliamentary messenger stabs Verwoerd during a session in the House Assembly

The government asserts state ownership over land and mineral rights under the Bakajika Law.

The Beatles start recording George Harrisons, "Taxman"

Londons Evening Standard publishes an interview with John Lennon in which he states that the Beatles are "more popular than Jesus now", the comment provokes several protests, including the burning of Beatles records

John Lennons comments on the state of Christianity - made in March, but only lately picked up in the US spark protests and record burnings on the eve of the Beatles 1966 American tour

John Lennon makes his first appearance away from the Beatles in the role of Private Gripweed in Richard Lesters film How I Won the War, he writes "Strawberry Fields Forever" during the filming

Yoko Ono and John Lennon meet at a preview of her art show, Exhibition #2, at Indica Gallery in London

Beatles "Yesterday... and Today," album goes #1 and stays #1 for 5 weeks in the US

Yoko Ono and John Lennon meet at a preview of her art show, Exhibition #2, at Indica Gallery in London

Keith Moon, bass player John Paul Jones, keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page record "Becks Bolero" in London's IBC Studios

Keith Moon, bass player John Paul Jones, keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page record "Becks Bolero" in London's IBC Studios

Keith Moon, bass player John Paul Jones, keyboardist Nicky Hopkins, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page record "Becks Bolero" in London's IBC Studios

Mao approves broadcasting Nie Yuanzi's poster, turning campus criticism into a national movement

Jenner signs a management agreement with Pink Floyd through the Blackhill organisation

King signs a management agreement with Pink Floyd alongside Peter Jenner

Releases the double album Blonde on Blonde.

Mao writes Bombard the Headquarters, signalling an attack on senior party leaders

Uses force against dissident Buddhist and regional opponents

Surtax introduced & public investments cut. Incomes & prices are frozen for 6 months. HP controls are tightened, indirect taxes & post office charges raised. Announces a package of cuts in the House of Commons, in preference to devaluation

Brown is moved to the Foreign Office & Stewart takes over at the DEA

Introduces the Canada Pension Plan.

Hussein declares East Jerusalem to be the "spiritual capital of Jordan"

Mobutu renames Leopoldville as Kinshasa during a wider programme of Africanisation.

The achievement marks caspian sea monster as an important Russian scientific milestone.

Qi Benyu is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group

Chen Boda becomes head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group

Zhang Chunqiao is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group

Guan Feng is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group

Wang Li is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group

Jiang Qing becomes a powerful member of the Central Cultural Revolution Group

Jiang Qing is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group and promotes radical cultural campaigns

Yao Wenyuan is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group

Mao replaces the old cultural apparatus with the Central Cultural Revolution Group dominated by his allies

Continues as Chief Minister after another Montserrat Labour Party victory

Signs the Child Nutrition Act, expanding federal support for school meals and child nutrition programmes.

Embarks on lone circumnavigation of the World

The Commonwealth Conference at Lagos attacks Wilson's handling of Rhodesia's UDI

The Commonwealth Conference at Lagos attacks Wilson's handling of Rhodesia's UDI

Shastri signs the Tashkent Declaration with Pakistan, formalizing a post-war settlement after the 1965 conflict.

Paisley, along with Noel Doherty establishes the Ulster Constitution Defence Committee, which in turn establishes the paramilitary organisation Ulster Protestant Volunteers at a parade in the Shankill area of Belfast

The new Israeli Parliament Building for the Knesset is inaugurated

Deposed in a coup led by Ibo officers

Deposed in a coup led by Ibo officers

Deposed in a coup led by Ibo officers

Sterling crisis followed by a period of deflation

Jiang Qing promotes radical cultural politics and becomes a central Cultural Revolution figure

Mao calls on students and Red Guards to rebel against party and cultural authorities

Tao Zhu rises briefly before being attacked by Cultural Revolution radicals

The Kinks release Dead End Street.

Engineers early recordings that shape The Doors' studio sound.

Produces the first Doors album sessions.

The Kinks release Dedicated Follower of Fashion.

Is appointed minister of defence after Verwoerd's premiership.

Begins fourteen years directing South African defence policy.

The Defence Review sets out plans to reduce overseas commitments while retaining a limited East of Suez role.

Produces a deflationary package to stabilise the pound

Appointed Secretary of State for Economic Affairs at the Department of Economic Affairs

Signs the Department of Transportation Act, creating the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Lin Biao praises Mao's line and attacks old culture, customs and habits

Jiang Qing encourages attacks on old culture as Red Guards mobilise in Beijing

Red Guards attack old ideas, culture, customs and habits under Mao's revolutionary slogans

Says devaluation of the pound is unnecessary

Pompidous policy to devalue puts pressure on Callaghan to propose devaluation

The unmanned Venus 3 touches down on Venus

Mao calls for educated youth to learn from workers, peasants and soldiers

Denis Healey faces Commons questions on reducing Britain's military commitment east of Suez.

A broad Congress Party election opts for Indira Gandhi, Nehrus daughter, over the right-wing, conservative Morarji Desai

The Conservatives win 41.9% of votes cast & 253 seats. Loses the general election by 97 seats

The Conservatives make gains in the Local Government elections

Labour wins a by-election in Hull with a 4.5 percent swing in favour of the Government

Announces a general election for the 31st of March in order to win a working majority

first day of the election campaign, Labour have a 9% lead in the polls

The Labour Party wins 48 percent of votes cast & 364 MPs. Labour wins with 363 seats to 253 Tory, 12 Liberal & 2 others, a majority of 97

Signs with Elektra Records after Los Angeles club exposure.

The National Assembly expands the Temporary Provisions, allowing the President to establish a body for policies concerning suppression of Communist rebellion.

The Pierre Harmel Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as Prime Minister of Belgium.

Ends "Konfrontasi" with Malaysia

Is publicly executed with three former ministers after conviction for an alleged coup conspiracy.

The Kinks release Face to Face.

The February Outline attempts to limit cultural criticism and is later attacked by Mao's allies

Appointed Federal Vice Chancellor

Garrison first interviewed Shaw in connection with the renewed assassination investigation in December 1966.

The achievement marks first lunar satellite as an important Russian scientific milestone.

The achievement marks first lunar soft landing as an important Russian scientific milestone.

Begins the First Vanden Boeynants Government in Brussels and serves as Prime Minister of Belgium.

The Five-Man Group is abolished when the May 16 Notification reverses Peng Zhen's approach

al-Rifai participates in foreign policy connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.

Appointed Foreign Minister

Appointed Foreign Minister

Scores four goals as Portugal recover from 3-0 down to defeat North Korea 5-3.

Wins another presidential term after emergency constitutional provisions are expanded, continuing in office with Yen Chia-kan as Vice President.

Releases Freak Out! with the Mothers of Invention, an ambitious double album combining satire, rock and experimental composition.

Signs the Freedom of Information Act, strengthening public access to federal records.

Jim Garrison resumed his Kennedy assassination investigation in November 1966, eventually directing attention toward Clay Shaw.

During the flight of Gemini IX American astronauts Tom Stafford and Eugene Cernan make a two-hour EVA

During the flight of Gemini IX American astronauts Tom Stafford and Eugene Cernan make a two-hour EVA

The rendezvous and first ever docking between two spacecraft is successfully completed after 6.5 hours in orbit. The mission launches, the most complex yet, with a rendezvous and docking with the unmanned Agena target vehicle, the second American (and third ever) extra-vehicular activity (EVA) (Armstrong himself dislikes the term "space walk"). During Gemini VIII American astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David Scott perform the first orbital docking

During Gemini VIII American astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David Scott performed the first orbital docking

During Gemini X American astronauts Mike Collins and John Young make two rendezvous and docking maneuvers with Agena target vehicles, plus complete a complex EVA

During Gemini X American astronauts Mike Collins and John Young make two rendezvous and docking maneuvers with Agena target vehicles, plus complete a complex EVA

The last Gemini flight, Gemini XII, is launched on this date, during this mission, American astronauts Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin completed three EVAs and a docking with an Agena target vehicle

The last Gemini flight, Gemini XII, is launched on this date, during this mission, American astronauts Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin completed three EVAs and a docking with an Agena target vehicle

Retains Coventry East when Labour increases its parliamentary majority.

Retains Ebbw Vale for Labour during Harold Wilson's strengthened parliamentary majority.

Retains Birmingham Stechford while continuing as Home Secretary after Labour's victory.

Retains Ebbw Vale for Labour during Harold Wilson's strengthened parliamentary majority.

Retains Birmingham Stechford while continuing as Home Secretary after Labour's victory.

Leads the Conservatives in the 1966 general election but loses to Harold Wilson.

General election outcome recorded for Michael Mackintosh Foot: Retains Ebbw Vale for Labour during Harold Wilson's strengthened parliamentary majority.

General election outcome recorded for Roy Harris Jenkins: Retains Birmingham Stechford while continuing as Home Secretary after Labour's victory.

Government context for this general election: Retains Ebbw Vale for Labour during Harold Wilson's strengthened parliamentary majority.

Government context for this general election: Retains Birmingham Stechford while continuing as Home Secretary after Labour's victory.

Becomes general secretary of the Workers Party.

Venezuela, the United Kingdom, and British Guiana signed the Geneva Agreement concerning the Essequibo territorial dispute.

His government ends in Helsinki, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Finland.

Criticizes aspects of US bombing policy while keeping Britain aligned with Washington

Mao directs criticism of the February Outline and prepares to overturn Peng Zhen's leadership of the cultural campaign

Release Happy Jack as a single.

Hendrixs first single is a cover of "Hey Joe", crafted after folk-singer Tim Roses slower revision of the song and adapted to Hendrixs style

Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) estimate credited the North Vietnamese with 600 miles (970 km) of truckable roads within the corridor, at least 200 miles (320 km) of which were good enough for year-round use

Meets President Johnson during the Honolulu Conference

Receives US Vice President Hubert Humphrey during his visit to Taiwan.

Wilson agrees to recognise Ian Smith & negotiate with him. OAU countries will break off relations if Smith's regime is not broken by December

Talks to resolve the Rhodesia UDI break down

Lesotho is granted independence. Botswana is granted independence

Wilson agrees to recognise Ian Smith & negotiate with him. OAU countries will break off relations if Smith's regime is not broken by December

Talks to resolve the Rhodesia UDI break down

Lesotho is granted independence. Botswana is granted independence

A broad Congress Party election opts for Indira Gandhi, Nehrus daughter, over the right-wing, conservative Morarji Desai

Releases Just Like a Woman on Blonde on Blonde.

Directs the first flight of the large KM ground-effect vehicle.

The new Israeli Parliament Building for the Knesset is inaugurated

Appointed Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.

Lin Biao promotes Quotations from Chairman Mao as a central symbol of loyalty

Develops its live sound during a London Fog residency.

Meets Harold Wilson during British efforts to explore Vietnam peace diplomacy

Becomes Lord President of the Council alongside his leadership of the Commons.

Leads the programme placing Luna 10 into lunar orbit.

Leads design work for Luna 9, the first spacecraft to land softly on the Moon.

Leads West Germany as the Luxembourg Compromise ends the institutional crisis caused by France's empty-chair policy.

The Luxembourg Compromise ended the Empty Chair crisis and protected unanimity when a member claimed vital national interests.

Begins work on, "Time for Decemberision"

George Harrison marries Patty Boyd at Epsom Register Office

George Harrison organises a press conference to announce his marriage to Patty Boyd

Liu Shaoqi becomes a principal target as the Cultural Revolution turns against the party establishment

Deng Xiaoping is soon drawn into the attack on senior party leaders after the May 16 Notification

Mao authorises the May 16 Notification warning that bourgeois representatives have infiltrated the party

Mao launches the Cultural Revolution through the May 16 Notification against alleged bourgeois elements in the party

Epic releases the single "Mellow Yellow", arranged by John Paul Jones and purportedly featuring Paul McCartney on backing vocals

Appointed Minister of Technology

Signs the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act to establish federal automobile safety standards.

Suffers a motorcycle accident near Woodstock.

Signs the National Historic Preservation Act, creating a national framework for protecting historic places.

The Queen's Speech includes the nationalization of steel

Makes his senior Netherlands debut against Hungary and scores in a 2-2 draw.

Scores nine goals for Portugal, including four against North Korea, to lead the tournament.

China tests its first nuclear missile

OAU will sever relations with Britain if Smith's regime is not broken by December

Brian Jones's sitar part helps define the Rolling Stones single Paint It Black.

Pink Floyd make their debut appearance using that name with the line-up of Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Rick Wright, the venue is the Countdown Club in London's Palace Gate

Pink Floyd gets its first billing at London's Marquee Club

Pink Floyd sign a management contract with Peter Jenner and Andrew King

Pink Floyd sign a management contract with Peter Jenner and Andrew King

Pink Floyd make their debut appearance using that name with the line-up of Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Rick Wright, the venue is the Countdown Club in London's Palace Gate

Pink Floyd gets its first billing at London's Marquee Club

Pink Floyd make their debut appearance using that name with the line-up of Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Rick Wright, the venue is the Countdown Club in London's Palace Gate

Pink Floyd gets its first billing at London's Marquee Club

Pink Floyd sign a management contract with Peter Jenner and Andrew King

Pink Floyd make their debut appearance using that name with the line-up of Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Rick Wright, the venue is the Countdown Club in London's Palace Gate

Appointed de facto President of Argentina after the 1966 coup

Barrientos begins his elected presidential term.

Appointed President of Ecuador by the Constituent Assembly

Appointed President of Ecuador

Appointed President of Ecuador

Appointed acting President of Ecuador after the military junta resigned

Appointed interim President of Ecuador

Appointed President of Ireland, 2nd term

Appointed military Head of State of Nigeria after the January 1966 coup

Appointed military Head of State of Nigeria after the July 1966 counter-coup

Appointed President of Turkey

Barrientos wins the presidential election and returns Bolivia to formal civilian government.

Launches a 6 month freeze on prices & wages

The Act provides statutory powers to restrain wage and price increases.

Takes office as Prime Minister of Finland and forms a government in Helsinki.

Becomes prime minister after Hendrik Verwoerd's assassination.

Appointed Prime Minister of Australia

Indira Gandhi becomes Prime Minister of India for the first time.

Appointed Prime Minister of South Africa, acting

Zhou Enlai orders protection for selected monuments, archives and leading figures during Red Guard violence

Peng Zhen is purged after Mao rejects the February Outline and the Five-Man Group

Song Binbin is linked to the Red Guard moment when Mao receives student rebels in Tiananmen Square

Orders the formation of a "Red Guard" of students to attack opposing party members

Orders the formation of a "Red Guard" of students to attack opposing party members

Mao wears a Red Guard armband, giving symbolic endorsement to student rebels

Zhou Enlai intervenes to protect Sun Yat-sen's widow Song Qingling from Red Guard attacks

Lin Biao appears with Mao at the first great Red Guard rally in Tiananmen Square

Mao receives and addresses a vast Red Guard rally in Tiananmen Square

The Abortion Bill passes its second reading

The Prices & Incomes Bill is published. Companies & Unions must give advance warning of any wage or price increases

The Sexual Offences Bill, legalizing homosexuality, passes its second reading

Rules out sending British troops to fight in Vietnam

Resigns against the Governments incomes policy. Believes the Government should control prices & not wages

Resigns as Prime Minister of Australia

France resumed participation in Community Council business after the Luxembourg Compromise.

Produces Revolver, supporting tape experiments, orchestral ideas and more ambitious studio construction.

Britain agrees to United Nations resolution to find a "peaceful solution to the problem"

The new Israeli Parliament Building for the Knesset is inaugurated

Hussein declares East Jerusalem to be the "spiritual capital of Jordan"

The World Court rules in South Africas favour for it to retain control

The United Nations resolves the place South West Africa under United Nations control

The OAU votes in favour of supporting United Nations control over South West Africa

Indira Gandhi's government devalues the rupee as part of a broader response to severe balance-of-payments pressures.

Following Shastri's sudden death in Tashkent, Gulzarilal Nanda again serves briefly as caretaker Prime Minister.

The Labour Government announces its intention to make a second application to join the EEC

Appointed Secretary of State for Economic Affairs at the Department of Economic Affairs

Appointed Shadow Treasury Spokesman, deputy to Iain Macleod

On Route 13 linking Vietnam to the Kampuchean border US forces are brutally assaulted

Lin Biao supports the Sixteen Points decision that legitimises mass rebellion

The party adopts the Sixteen Points, defining the programme of the Cultural Revolution

Captains Real Madrid to victory over Partizan and wins a record sixth European Cup.

Scores Real Madrid's equaliser against Partizan in the European Cup final.

Scores the winning goal as Real Madrid defeat Partizan 2-1 to claim their sixth European Cup.

The Queen's Speech includes the nationalization of steel

Zhou Enlai tells the State Council that party and state organs must not surrender control to mob violence

A state of emergency is declared in response to the seamen's strike

Summons the seamen's leaders to Downing St to avert a strike but the strike continues

The strike comes to an end when payscales are agreed

Strikes against redundancies close all British Motor Corporation factories

Release Substitute as a major British single.

It is announced that British forces will withdraw from Suez by the mid 70s

Zhou Enlai presides over a rally honouring Sun Yat-sen during the political turmoil

The Kinks release Sunny Afternoon.

People's Daily calls on the masses to sweep away monsters and demons in support of the Cultural Revolution

Succeeds Sean Lemass as Taoiseach.

Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri sign the Tashkent Declaration.

Shastri and Pakistani President Ayub Khan sign the Tashkent Declaration to normalise relations after the 1965 war.

Improvises provocative lyrics during The End at the Whisky.

Release The Kids Are Alright as a single.

A dissident writer who goes on trial, the trial signifies the end of a Russian "thaw"

Arrangements were underway for a new trial to be held in February 1967, in Wichita Falls, Ruby was admitted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, suffering from pneumonia

Trial of dissident writer Angrei Siniavskii

Leads the Twenty-Third Party Congress as the title General Secretary is restored.

Pink Floyd become closely associated with London's UFO Club and the underground psychedelic scene

Paisley, along with Noel Doherty establishes the Ulster Constitution Defence Committee, which in turn establishes the paramilitary organisation Ulster Protestant Volunteers at a parade in the Shankill area of Belfast

Paisley, along with Noel Doherty establishes the Ulster Constitution Defence Committee, which in turn establishes the paramilitary organisation Ulster Protestant Volunteers at a parade in the Shankill area of Belfast

The Commonwealth Conference at Lagos attacks Wilson's handling of Rhodesia's UDI

Talks to resolve the Rhodesia UDI break down

The College of Advanced Technology receives a royal charter as the University of Aston.

Signs with Verve Records after producer Tom Wilson sees the Mothers perform, leading to the name Mothers of Invention.

Releases Visions of Johanna on Blonde on Blonde.

Continues National Party rule during intensified regional conflict.

Begins a residency at the Whisky a Go Go.

Member of England World Cup winning team.

Scores a hat-trick as England win the World Cup in football.

England beat West Germany 4-2 for footballs Eighth World Cup in London.

The youngest member of the squad of 22 selected by Ramsey for the tournament, aged only 21.

Member of England World Cup winning team.

Directs Abschied von gestern, a major New German Cinema film.

Birth of David Lawrence Schwimmer

Birth of David William Donald Cameron.

Assassinated by a conspiracy of predominantly Ibo officers from Eastern Nigeria

Death of Buster Keaton

Death of Courtney Hicks Hodges

Death of Hendrik Verwoerd

Death of Hendrik Verwoerd, assassinated

Ruby made a final statement from his hospital bed that he and he alone had been responsible for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald

Lal Bahadur Shastri dies in Tashkent shortly after signing the Tashkent Declaration with Pakistan.

Death of Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lao She dies after being humiliated and beaten by Red Guards

Death of Lee Edward Bowers, when his car leaves an empty road and hits a concrete bridge abutment near Midlothian, Texas

Death of Montgomery Clift

Heavy fighting near Con Thien kills nearly 1,300 North Vietnamese troops

US air support succeeds in bombing the attackers into retreat. The 272nd Regiment of the Vietcong 9th Div attack the American 3rd Brigade