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Way Back Wednesday – 60 Years of Life on Earth

March 29, 2023

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I’m 60 today!

Sadly it’s the end of my 60th year and not the beginning of it – but that’s how birthday’s work, they are anniversaries that celebrate the fact that you made it through another year. My daughters are 23 and 21 and I want to impress upon them, and you, how much has changed in such a short portion of human history.

It is only by looking back that we can clearly see what lies ahead:

1963:

President Kennedy assassinated in Dallas, Texas; Vice President Lyndon Johnson becomes President. The accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, is shot and killed a short time later ¹.
Civil rights protests continue throughout the South, during which nonviolent activists are frequently met with beatings and arrests. 200,000 people march on Washington in support of civil rights; Dr. Martin Luther King delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech ¹.
Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space ².
The world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Thresher, sinks in the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 129 crew members on board ².
The Beatles release their first album in the UK, Please Please Me, and become a global phenomenon ³.

1964:

1965:

In January, Winston Churchill, the former British prime minister and leader of the Allied forces during World War II, died at the age of 90. His state funeral was attended by many world leaders and dignitaries, and millions of people watched it on television ¹.
In February, The Gambia, Maldives and Singapore became independent from the United Kingdom. The Gambia and Maldives joined the Commonwealth of Nations, while Singapore left the Federation of Malaysia and became a sovereign republic ¹.
In February, Malcolm X, a prominent African-American Muslim leader and civil rights activist, was assassinated by three members of the Nation of Islam at a rally in New York City. His death sparked widespread mourning and protests among his followers and supporters ¹.
In March, a group of civil rights marchers led by Martin Luther King Jr. attempted to march from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama to demand voting rights for African-Americans. They were brutally attacked by state troopers and local police on a bridge near Selma, an event that became known as Bloody Sunday. The incident drew national and international attention and condemnation, and prompted President Lyndon B. Johnson to call for the passage of the Voting Rights Act ².
In March, cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first person to walk in space, exiting his spacecraft Voskhod 2 for 12 minutes. He faced several difficulties during his spacewalk, such as his spacesuit inflating and preventing him from re-entering the airlock. He managed to return safely after venting some air from his suit ³.
In April, the first US combat troops arrived in South Vietnam as part of Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam. The US involvement in the Vietnam War escalated over the next few years, sparking anti-war protests and opposition at home and abroad ⁴.
In May, India and Pakistan fought a second war over the disputed territory of Kashmir. The war lasted for 17 days and ended with a ceasefire brokered by the Soviet Union. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and failed to achieve any significant territorial gains.
In June, several future dictators came to power in different countries. In Iraq, a coup led by General Abdul Salam Arif overthrew President Abd al-Karim Qasim and installed Arif as the new leader. In Indonesia, General Suharto took control of the government after a failed coup attempt by the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI). He launched a violent anti-communist purge that killed hundreds of thousands of people. In Congo (Leopoldville), Joseph Mobutu seized power from President Joseph Kasavubu and began his 32-year rule as Mobutu Sese Seko ¹.
In June, Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston in their rematch for the world heavyweight boxing title with a controversial knockout punch that many observers did not see. The punch became known as the “phantom punch” or the “anchor punch”. Ali retained his title and cemented his reputation as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
In July, two of the top 40 songs of Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time were released: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones and “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan. Both songs were influential and innovative in their use of electric guitar, lyrics, and style ¹.

1966: (I apologize but Bing seems to output random formats each time):

Social: The year 1966 saw the rise of various social movements and protests in the United States and around the world. Some of the notable events include the Black Panther Party’s founding in Oakland, California; the National Organization for Women’s formation in Washington, D.C.; the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations at the University of California, Berkeley; and the Cultural Revolution in China. The year also marked the debut of popular television shows such as Star Trek, Batman, and The Monkees.
Technology: The year 1966 witnessed several technological innovations and achievements in various fields. Some of the examples are the launch of Luna 9, the first spacecraft to soft-land on the moon; the introduction of the first handheld calculator by Texas Instruments; the development of ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet; and the invention of Kevlar, a synthetic fiber with high strength and heat resistance.
Political: The year 1966 was a turbulent one for politics in many countries. Some of the major events include the resignation of British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and his replacement by Edward Heath; the coup d’etat in Ghana that ousted President Kwame Nkrumah; the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War between the federal government and the secessionist state of Biafra; and the escalation of the Vietnam War with increased U.S. military involvement and casualties.
Consumer goods: The year 1966 saw the emergence and popularity of various consumer goods and trends. Some of them are the release of Barbie’s boyfriend Ken doll by Mattel; the introduction of Gatorade, a sports drink invented by University of Florida researchers; the debut of Twister, a game that became a sensation among young people; and the popularity of miniskirts, a fashion item that symbolized youth culture and sexual liberation.

1967:

Social: The year 1967 was marked by social unrest and cultural change in many parts of the world. Some of the notable events include the Summer of Love, a countercultural phenomenon that celebrated peace, love, and music in San Francisco; the Six-Day War, a conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors that reshaped the Middle East; the Detroit Riot, one of the deadliest and most destructive urban riots in U.S. history; and the Thurgood Marshall’s confirmation as the first African American Supreme Court justice.
Technology: The year 1967 saw several technological breakthroughs and achievements in various fields. Some of the examples are the first human heart transplant performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in South Africa; the launch of ATS-3, the first satellite to transmit color television signals; the development of the first handheld electronic game by Mattel; and the invention of the first ATM by John Shepherd-Barron in London.
Political: The year 1967 was a turbulent one for politics in many countries. Some of the major events include the assassination of Che Guevara, a revolutionary leader and icon, by Bolivian forces; the devaluation of the British pound sterling and the resignation of Chancellor of the Exchequer James Callaghan; the referendum on Quebec’s sovereignty that resulted in a majority vote for staying in Canada; and the adoption of UN Resolution 242, calling for a peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Consumer goods: The year 1967 saw the emergence and popularity of various consumer goods and trends. Some of them are the release of The Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time; the introduction of Pringles, a brand of potato crisps with a distinctive shape and packaging; the debut of The Jungle Book, an animated film by Walt Disney based on Rudyard Kipling’s stories; and the popularity of mood rings, a novelty item that changed color according to body temperature.

1968:

Social: A year of turmoil and change in the United States, marked by the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War’s Tet Offensive, the Civil Rights Act of 1968, and widespread social unrest. The civil rights movement gave rise to combative and angry black power advocates, while the feminist movement and the sexual revolution challenged traditional gender roles and norms. A generation gap emerged between young people and their parents over values, lifestyles, and politics ¹ ² ³.
Technology: A year of scientific and technological achievements, such as NASA’s Apollo 8 orbiting the moon and Boeing’s 747 jumbo jet’s first flight. Television became the dominant medium of communication and entertainment, with color TV sets becoming more affordable and popular. The birth control pill enabled new sexual freedom for women. ARPANET, the precursor of the internet, was developed by the Department of Defense ¹ ² ³.
Political: A year of political upheaval and uncertainty, as President Lyndon B. Johnson announced he would not seek reelection amid growing opposition to his Vietnam War policy. The Democratic Party was divided between anti-war and pro-war factions, while the Republican Party nominated Richard Nixon as its presidential candidate. Nixon campaigned on a platform of restoring law and order and appealing to the silent majority of Americans who felt alienated by the social and cultural changes of the decade. Nixon narrowly defeated Democrat Hubert Humphrey and independent George Wallace in a close election ¹ ² ³.
Consumer goods: A year of consumerism and innovation, as Americans enjoyed a high standard of living and a variety of new products and services. Some consumer goods that became popular or were introduced in 1968 include smoke detectors for home use, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Barbie dolls, color television sets, microwave ovens, cassette tapes, video games, and personal computers.

1969 (Mets!):

Social: A year of scientific and cultural milestones, such as the first human landing on the moon by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the Woodstock music festival, and the Stonewall riots that sparked the gay rights movement. The counterculture movement reached its peak, with hippies, yippies, and other groups challenging the mainstream values and norms. The feminist movement gained momentum with the publication of The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan and the formation of the National Organization for Women ¹ ².
Technology: A year of technological innovations and breakthroughs, such as ARPANET, the precursor of the internet, and UNIX, an operating system that influenced many others. Television became more diverse and influential, with shows like Sesame Street, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and Star Trek. The birth control pill enabled new sexual freedom for women. Smoke detectors for home use were introduced ¹ ² ³.
Political: A year of political change and turmoil, as Richard Nixon became the 37th President of the United States and promised to end the Vietnam War with honor. Nixon also initiated a policy of détente with the Soviet Union and China, opening diplomatic relations and easing Cold War tensions. However, Nixon also faced domestic challenges, such as rising inflation, racial unrest, and anti-war protests. The draft lottery was instituted to determine who would be called to serve in Vietnam ¹ ².
Consumer goods: A year of consumerism and innovation, as Americans enjoyed a high standard of living and a variety of new products and services. Some consumer goods that were introduced or gained popularity in 1969 include Barbie dolls ¹ , color television sets ¹ , microwave ovens ³ , cassette tapes ³ , video games ³ , and personal computers ³.

Microwave ovens? (I have decided to comment at the end of each decade) I don’t remember them until the late 70s. I guess there’s a gap between inventing and in your kitchen. I had to check on Computers and yes, Honeywell released the H316 “Kitchen Computer” for $10,600 – apparently it was more like a concept car – never happened.

So I’m 7. We had a black and white TV in the living room and that was it. Nobody really watched it but me anyway. I loved the Partridge Family, Columbo, Pink Panther, Spider Man, Speed Racer (who was also Kimba!) Sesame Street (not Mr Rogers, NEVER the Electric Company or Zoom), Laugh In, Dragnet, the Brady Bunch, the Odd Couple, Twilight Zone, I Love Lucy and the Honeymooners.

I know I had lots of Hot Wheels with tracks and everything. I had Lite-Brite and Etch-A-Sketch which I would endlessly play with. Mostly I read books (can’t see how I had time with all those TV shows) and I wasn’t into sports yet but climbed every climbable tree in the neighborhood.

We saw every movie (my Parents’ friend owned a theater) – even ones I was probably too young for. I loved science fiction. My prize possession was a Close & Play and my first records (thanks Mom) were “Sugar Sugar”, “Down on the Corner”, “Proud Mary”, “Crocodile Rock”, “Rocket Man”, “Coconut”, “The Night Chicago Died”, “Ruby Tuesday”, “Jumpin Jack Flask” “Joy to the World”, “Bad Moon Rising”, “I Can See for Miles”, “I’m a Believer”, “Hey Jude”, “Lady Madonna”, “Mrs Robinson”, “Bridge over Troubled Water”, “Born to be Wild”, “Magic Carpet Ride”, “Aquarius”… Very eclectic. My brother liked kids songs but I never did – too much repetition – though I sang this song to my kids well over 1,000 times:

Remember hiss? That and skips and scratches. This is why I ran out to get the first Sony Discman for $500 (my car was $800) – music was always a huge part of my life (I had a Nakamichi tape player too!). Then I joined Columbia House about 20 times to build up my disc collection – but that’s a story for the next decade…

1970: I Think I Love You (these are my favorites at the time)

Social: The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, raising awareness of environmental issues. Source Women’s liberation groups staged protests and strikes for equal rights and opportunities. Source The Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, sparked nationwide outrage and demonstrations against the Vietnam War. Source
Technology: The first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, was released in 1972. Source The first microprocessor, the Intel 4004, was invented in 1970 and paved the way for personal computers. Source The first email was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson. Source
Political: President Richard Nixon announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam and the expansion of the war into Cambodia in 1970. Source He also visited China in 1972 and signed the SALT I treaty with the Soviet Union. Source The Watergate scandal began in 1972 with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Source
Consumer goods: Color TVs, video games, microwave ovens and cassette tapes were some of the popular consumer goods of 1970. Source Franchising also increased and offered standardized products and services across locations. Some examples of successful franchises in the 1970s were McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Holiday Inn and Hertz. Source

1971: Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves

Social: The 26th Amendment was ratified in 1971, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. Source The National Women’s Political Caucus was founded in 1971 to increase women’s participation in politics and government. Source The Attica prison riot in 1971 exposed the brutal conditions and racial discrimination in the U.S. prison system. Source
Technology: Intel introduced the first microprocessor chip, the 4004, in 1971, which enabled the development of personal computers and other electronic devices. Source Ray Tomlinson sent the first email in 1971, using the @ symbol to separate the user name from the host name. Source The first floppy disk was invented by IBM in 1971, allowing data to be stored and transferred between computers. Source
Political: President Richard Nixon announced his new policy of détente with the Soviet Union and China in 1971, easing Cold War tensions and opening diplomatic relations. Source The Pentagon Papers were leaked to the press in 1971, revealing the secret history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam and undermining public trust in the government. Source The War Powers Act was passed by Congress in 1971, limiting the president’s ability to wage war without congressional approval. Source
Consumer goods: The first Starbucks coffee shop opened in Seattle in 1971, offering high-quality coffee beans and equipment. Source The first pocket calculator, the Busicom LE-120A Handy-LE, was introduced in Japan in 1971, making calculations easier and more portable. Source The first VCR, the Philips N1500, was launched in Europe in 1971, allowing consumers to record and play back television programs. Source

1972: Crocodile Rock

Social: The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress in 1972, proposing to guarantee equal rights for women under the Constitution. Source The Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 was signed into law, prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. Source The first gay pride parades were held in several U.S. cities in 1972, commemorating the anniversary of the Stonewall riots of 1969. Source
Technology: The first handheld scientific calculator, the HP-35, was introduced by Hewlett-Packard in 1972, revolutionizing engineering and mathematics. Source The first video game console with interchangeable cartridges, the Atari 2600, was released in 1972, allowing users to play a variety of games on their TVs. Source The first email program with the ability to send messages to multiple recipients, SNDMSG, was developed by Ray Tomlinson in 1972. Source
Political: President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972, ending 25 years of diplomatic isolation and opening the door for trade and cultural exchanges. Source The Watergate scandal escalated in 1972, when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters and it was revealed that they had ties to Nixon’s reelection campaign. Source The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) resulted in two agreements signed by Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1972, limiting the number and deployment of nuclear weapons by both sides. Source
Consumer goods: The first digital watch, the Hamilton Pulsar P1, was launched in 1972, featuring a red LED display and a futuristic design. Source The first home video game system with realistic graphics, the Magnavox Odyssey 100, was released in 1972, offering two games: tennis and hockey. Source The first mass-produced frozen yogurt, called Frogurt, was introduced by Dannon in 1972, offering a low-fat alternative to ice cream. Source

1973: Little Willy / Heartbreaker / Do you Feel Like We Do

Social: The Supreme Court makes its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling, making abortion, with some exceptions, legal ¹. The American Psychiatric Association officially declares that homosexuality is not a “mental disorder”¹. The Watergate scandal blows wide open and President Richard Nixon gives his famous “I am not a crook” speech in November ¹.
Technology: Skylab, the first American space station, is launched ¹. The first handheld mobile phone call is made by Motorola engineer Martin Cooper on April 3 ¹. The Oldsmobile Toronado becomes the first car offered to the public with airbags ¹.
Political: After 12 years, the U.S. ends all military operations in Vietnam ¹. The 1973 oil crisis begins. Oil-producing Arab nations cease exports, causing oil prices to soar, setting off a worldwide energy and economic crisis ¹ ². Chilean president Salvador Allende is overthrown in a coup later revealed to have been aided by the CIA ¹ ². The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark enter the European Economic Community ³.
Consumer goods: The average annual income is $12,900 (minimum wage: $1.60 per hour) and the average cost of a new home is $32,500 ¹. The top-grossing films are The Sting, The Exorcist and American Graffiti ¹. The top five hits are Tie a Yellow Ribbon (Tony Orlando and Dawn), Bad, Bad Leroy Brown (Jim Croce), Killing Me Softly (Roberta Flack), Let’s Get It On (Marvin Gaye) and My Love (Paul McCartney and Wings)¹.

Yes, I know, Bing insanely switches presentation styles – I could not get him to stay consistent.

1974: Hooked on a Feeling / The Night Chicago Died (I cannot decide, but Hooked is my ring-tone)

Social: President Richard Nixon resigns following the Watergate scandal and is succeeded by Gerald Ford ¹ ². Patty Hearst is kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army and later joins them in a bank robbery ¹ ³. Muhammad Ali regains the world heavyweight boxing title by knocking out George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Zaire ¹ ².
Technology: The first commercial bar code scanning system is installed at a supermarket in Troy, Ohio ¹. The first personal computer, the Altair 8800, is introduced by Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS)¹. The Rubik’s Cube, invented by Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik, is first demonstrated at a toy fair in Budapest ¹.
Political: India successfully tests its first nuclear weapon, becoming the sixth nation to do so ¹ ². Turkey invades Cyprus after a coup d’état by Greek Cypriot nationalists who want to unite the island with Greece ¹ ². Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia is deposed by a military junta after a famine that kills over 200,000 people ¹ ².
Consumer goods: The average annual income is $13,900 (minimum wage: $2.00 per hour) and the average cost of a new home is $34,900 ¹. The top-grossing films are Blazing Saddles, The Towering Inferno and The Trial of Billy Jack ¹. The top five hits are The Way We Were (Barbra Streisand), Seasons in the Sun (Terry Jacks), Love’s Theme (Love Unlimited Orchestra), Come and Get Your Love (Redbone) and Dancing Machine (The Jackson 5)¹.

1975: Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds (my Grandma’s name was Lucy, she wore diamonds) / Slip Kid (I’m a soldier at 13!) / Fame

1976 (Bar-Mitzvoh): Afternoon Delight / Take the Money and Run

1977: Blue Bayou / The Stranger / Gold Dust Woman / Bat out of Hell / Songs from the Wood

1978 (Car!): Who Are You (Recorded at my Uncle’s studio!)/ You Really Got Me / Because the Night

1979 (16! / High School): Tusk! / London Calling / My Sharona / Discovering Japan / Is She Really Going Out With Him /Hell is for Children

Social: The Iran hostage crisis began when a group of Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans captive ¹. Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work with the poor in India ². The Sony Walkman became a popular personal music device ³.
Technology: The first GPS satellite was launched into orbit ³. The first spreadsheet program, VisiCalc, was released for the Apple II computer ³. The Atari 400 and 800 home computers were introduced ³.
Political: The Camp David Accords led to a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt ⁴ ³. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, sparking a decade-long war and a global Cold War crisis ⁴ ¹. The SALT II Treaty was signed by the U.S. and the USSR, limiting their nuclear arsenals ³.
Consumer goods: McDonald’s introduced the Happy Meal, a combination of food and toys for children ³. Philips demonstrated the first compact disc (CD) prototype ³. Coca-Cola launched its first sugar-free soda, Diet Coke ³.

I never thought I’d say this but Tipper Gore was kind of right. She was all kooky about banning “bad music” but when I consider the songs we grew up with (and there were way less choices) to the songs my kids grow up with – I can’t imagine that doesn’t have a profound affect on your childhood development. All the songs of my generation were about Love and Peace and everyday life. Songs today are Greed and Lust and generally devoid of story.

It’s the same with TV and movies. If you are my age, you remember Dirty Harry as a violent movie but watch it now and it’s only a notch over Bambi compared to what we have now… Maybe I’m just getting old?

I went from reading the comics to Doonesbury to reading the papers for Watergate coverage (and I had a paper route in 1973 so I always got the news first!) to reading “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail” to reading Rolling Stone and Playboy (I actually did read the article – too). My brother worked at a magazine store and brought me home piles of stuff and I read and read and read. I also cut out the pictures and, by the time I was in High School, every inch of my room was covered in mostly rock and roll pictures but also other people and things I found interesting over the year – I guess that’s why I am a reflective person…

Franchising! (1970) – How much did that change out lives? Not really for the better I think. My Dad was a Systems Analyst and he had a computer the size of a refrigerator in the house with one of those phone-coupler modems. It got so hot your could fry an egg on it but we could call NASA and play Pong and Lunar Lander and it only got better from there – whatever new came out – my Dad got it. By the end of the 70s I was selling computers – one of the go-to geeks, in fact!

18 year-olds could be drafted but couldn’t vote, women were second-class citizens (but at least they couldn’t be drafted), racism was still endemic… funny how you forget those things were “normal” back then. Nixon went to China but we still hated Russia. Abortion used to be illegal (oops!). Income was $12,900 in 1973 and a house was $32,500 – not even 3x income. That right there is the worst thing that’s changed in the past 50 years.

Baseball! My parents divorced in 1970 and my Dad first lived in the Village (fantastic!) and then Queens, where there was the Science Museum and Shea Stadium, so we went to a lot of Mets games (I liked the Science Museum too) – and we did lots of stuff in NYC. The Mets won in ’69 and won the NLCS in ’73 but in 1977 they traded Tom Seaver and I was pissed at them for many years after.

IN PROGRESS