August 20, 1960
The federal minimum wage stood at $1.00/hr that summer of 1960, and the Dow Jones sat at 615 — as the United Nations deployed its first troops to the Congo amid a rapidly escalating crisis between the newly independent nation and Belgium. On the entertainment front, the biblical epic "Ben-Hur" was still drawing crowds to theaters across the country after sweeping the Oscars, while "Alley-Oop" by the Hollywood Argyles sat at the top of the pop charts. That summer, American athletes competed at the Rome Olympics, bringing home 34 gold, 21 silver, and 16 bronze medals for a total of 71, placing the United States among the top nations of the Games.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — August 20, 1960
NY Times Headlines — Week of August 20, 1960
Test-Ban Parley In 5-Week Recess; U. S. Warns Nuclear Talks In Geneva Can'T Drag On -- Soviet Assails West Test-Ban Talks Halt In Geneva; Soviet Says West Bars Treaty
Sudan Asks U.N. To Take Up Mali; Premier Calls For Security Council Session On Split -- Wants Troops Sent Sudan Asks U.N. To Take Up Mali
World Events — August 1960
Time Person of the Year — 1960
On the radio
Billboard Charts — August 20, 1960
Grammy Awards
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1959–60 Season
Emmy Winners — 1960
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — August 20, 1960
On the field
Sports Champions — August 20, 1960
Interested in postcards, posters or t-shirts? Leave your email and we’ll let you know.