Bet You Can't Answer These 1966 Trivia Questions!

By: Elizabeth Wilson
Published: Monday, April 22, 2024
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The 1960s hold a magical place in the hearts and minds of people who lived through the decade. There was an optimism that peace and love could change the world, but there were also some terrifying events that happened arund this same time to shatter this utopian dream.

1966 was one of the most important years of the decade due to a number of significant events globally. Both the Vietnam War and the U.S. space race with the Soviet Union were in full swing. This included some of the largest international protests of the war and a significant drop in American approval ratings for these actions abroad, partially sparked by President Johnson’s declaration early in the year that the U.S. should remain in the country to eliminate the communist presence. During this year there were about half a million American soldiers present in Vietnam and controversies over the draft. There were also test missions in space through the Apollo program that produced mixed success, as the moon landing would not occur for another three years. However, the astronauts who would participate in the landing were sent outside of the earth’s atmosphere and participated in a number of training missions.

An arrest of a suspected criminal a few years earlier ultimately led to the Supreme Court case of Miranda v. Arizona, which articulated the necessity of informing suspects of their constitutional right to remain silent in the criminal justice system through formal Miranda warnings. There were large riots in Atlanta mostly related to ongoing race issues and the civil rights movement. Former actor and future president Ronald Reagan entered into politics and became the governor of California. Large scale transit strikes in New York City received widespread attention. The United States government formally declared that cigarettes and tobacco smoke are harmful to the public health and required the packaging to contain relevant warnings during 1966.

In entertainment, the Star Trek television series first premiered, which was influenced by the popular Westerns of the time. It would become one of the most important science fiction franchises of all time and spawn numerous films, TV shows, and other spinoffs. How The Grinch Stole Christmas first appeared on television during this holiday season. There were also a number of other long lasting TV series and influential films that will make an appearance on the quiz. England had won the world cup during this year, which was the last time they have been the champions in this event. The Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, and Mamas and Papas all had popular hits on the radio, making it an important year for 60s music.

You will be asked about several cultural elements from television, music, the arts and film. Get ready to take a trip down memory lane through a significant year in one of the most important decades of the last century.  If you have a good memory and truly love the 60s you should be able to get all of these correct.