1963 Trivia
U.S. first class postal rate goes to 5 cents per ounce.
Pope John XXIII dies.
Reading of the Lord’s Prayer or verse from the Bible in U. S. public schools is ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
George C. Wallace takes the office of governor of Alabama.
New Hampshire conducts the first state lottery.
Kennedy is assassinated in November.
New York City renames the 15 year old Idlewild Airport John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport following the assassination of the President on Nov. 22.
Zenith Radio and Sylvania Electric Co. begin producing their own color picture tube for television.
Beatles receives their first #1 single hit - Please Please Me.
Patsy Cline is killed in a small plane crash.
The Righteous Brothers begin performing together.
The Kinks form.
Herman Hermits form.
A Houston surgeon uses an artificial heart for the first time to take over the functions of blood circulation during heart surgery.
MCI Communications begin.
AT&T introduces transistorized electronic Touch-Tone telephone.
Robert Frost dies in Boston.
Eastman Kodak introduces Instamatic camera that can be loaded with film cartridges.
The Beatles score their first success with a recording of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”
Jack Nicklaus wins his first Master Tournament.
The Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series, defeating the New York Yankees 4 games to 0.
ZIP Codes are introduced in the U.S.
Congress passes the nation’s first Clean Air Act.
“Instant” color film, or self-developing color photography, is introduced by the Polaroid Land Company.
The compact cassette tape cartridge for recording and playing back sound is introduced by Phillips of the Netherlands.
A direct telephone line link, called the hot line is established between the White House in the U.S. and the Kremlin in the Soviet Union.
In Dayton, Ohio an engineer obtains a patent for a pull-tab opener that will revolutionize the way people open soda and beer cans.
Tab introduces by Coca-Cola.
Borden Company introduces Cremora nondairy creamer.
Quaker Oats Company introduces Cap’n Crunch cereal.
Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc. is founded.
Head & Shoulders shampoo is introduced by Procter & Gamble.
Alcatraz closes.
Biggest Hit Singles
The Beatles - She Loves You
Kingsmen - Louie Louie
Leslie Gore - It’s My Party
Paul & Paula - Hey Paula
Ned Miller - From a Jack to a King
President: John F. Kennedy
Vice President: Lyndon B. Johnson
Life expectancy is 69.9 years.
Cost of a new home is $19,300.00.
Cost of a gallon of regular gas is $0.30
Cost of a dozen eggs is $0.55.
Cost of a gallon of milk is $0.49.
Some of Billboard magazine number one hits the first half of 1963:
Telstar
Go Away Little Girl
Walk Right In
Hey Paula
Walk Like a Man
Our Day Will Come
He’s So Fine
I Will Follow Him
If You Wanna Be Happy
It’s My Party
Sukiyaki