The Swinging 1960s
Instructions: JFK, the Moon landing, civil rights, and counterculture — relive the decade that changed everything!
- 1.
In 1969, which astronaut was the first person to walk on the Moon?
ANeil ArmstrongBMichael CollinsCBuzz AldrinDJohn Glenn - 2.
Which U.S. President was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963?
ALyndon B. JohnsonBJohn F. KennedyCRobert F. KennedyDRichard Nixon - 3.
What was the name of the youth counterculture movement known for peace signs, tie-dye, and 'flower power'?
ABeatniksBHippiesCModsDGreasers - 4.
Which civil rights leader delivered the famous 'I Have a Dream' speech in Washington, D.C., in 1963?
AJohn LewisBMalcolm XCMedgar EversDMartin Luther King Jr. - 5.
What British pop group sparked 'Beatlemania' when they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964?
AThe Rolling StonesBThe KinksCThe BeatlesDThe Who - 6.
What 1960s fashion item, a very short skirt, was popularized by British designer Mary Quant?
AMaxi skirtBA-line dressCGo-go bootsDMiniskirt - 7.
Which TV show featured a family of castaways stranded on an uncharted island?
AThe Swiss Family RobinsonBLost in SpaceCFantasy IslandDGilligan's Island - 8.
What toy, a fashion doll made by Mattel, was introduced in 1959 and became a cultural icon in the 1960s?
ARaggedy AnnBChatty CathyCBarbieDBetsy Wetsy - 9.
Which 1963 book by Betty Friedan is credited with sparking the second wave of the feminist movement?
AThe Second SexBSilent SpringCOur Bodies, OurselvesDThe Feminine Mystique - 10.
In 1962, which astronaut became the first American to orbit the Earth?
AScott CarpenterBJohn GlennCGus GrissomDAlan Shepard - 11.
What board game, involving buying and selling properties, had its most popular version redesigned and widely sold in the 1960s?
ARiskBMonopolyCClueDThe Game of Life - 12.
Which confrontation between the US and Soviet Union in October 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear war?
ABay of Pigs InvasionBGulf of Tonkin IncidentCCuban Missile CrisisDBerlin Wall Crisis - 13.
What iconic 1960s car, built by Ford, debuted in April 1964 and sold over one million units in its first two years?
AChevrolet CamaroBDodge ChargerCFord MustangDPontiac GTO - 14.
Which influential book by Rachel Carson, published in 1962, is credited with launching the modern environmental movement?
AWaldenBThe Sea Around UsCSilent SpringDA Sand County Almanac - 15.
What landmark legislation, signed by President Johnson in 1964, outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?
ACivil Rights ActBVoting Rights ActCEqual Pay ActDFair Housing Act
Answer Key
Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, famously saying, 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.'
JFK's assassination shocked the nation and the world. Most Americans who were alive that day vividly remember where they were when they heard the news.
The hippie movement emerged in the mid-1960s, centered in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district. They advocated for peace, love, and social change.
Dr. King delivered the speech to over 250,000 people during the March on Washington. It is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history.
An estimated 73 million Americans — about 34% of the population — watched the Beatles' first Ed Sullivan appearance on February 9, 1964.
Mary Quant named the miniskirt after her favorite car, the Mini Cooper. It became a symbol of women's liberation and the youthful spirit of the Sixties.
Gilligan's Island aired from 1964 to 1967. Despite only three seasons, it became a massive hit in syndication and spawned multiple TV movies.
Barbie was created by Ruth Handler and named after her daughter Barbara. Over one billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide since her debut.
The Feminine Mystique challenged the idea that women could find fulfillment only through homemaking and child-rearing, inspiring millions of women to seek careers and equality.
John Glenn orbited the Earth three times aboard Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962. He later became a U.S. Senator and returned to space in 1998 at age 77.
The Game of Life was redesigned by Reuben Klamer and Art Linkletter in 1960 for Milton Bradley's 100th anniversary, becoming one of the best-selling games of the decade.
For 13 days in October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the Cold War came to nuclear conflict. President Kennedy and Premier Khrushchev eventually reached a resolution.
The Ford Mustang was unveiled at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. It was so popular that Ford dealers were overwhelmed with orders on the very first day.
Silent Spring documented the harmful effects of pesticides like DDT on wildlife and the environment. It led to a nationwide ban on DDT and the creation of the EPA.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a monumental achievement of the civil rights movement. President Johnson used his legendary political skills to push it through Congress.