1963 - News and Entertainment
The year the World seemed to start to change
A very eventual year and one which would seem to change the World as we knew it.
In the UK., the Beatles made it into the Charts and were followed rapidly with other 'Groups' playing 'the Mersey Sound'. Gerry and the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and The Seachers were first on the list.
The year ended with the assasination of President Kennedy which sent shock waves around the World. The new face of American Politics had gone and the States were in turmoil.
It was like 1961 was 'ready', 1962 was 'get set' and 1963 was 'GO'.
The Cold War continued through it all, but the people, especially the young were ready to take action and be heard.
Main news Stories
Winter of 1963: Britain has the worst winter since 1948 with snow lasting in some areas until April
Double Agent Kim Philby disappears having defected to the Soviet Union
Charles De Gaulle vetos United Kingdom's entry into the EEC
In Paris, 6 people are sentenced to death for conspiring to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle.
The Labour Party elects Harold Wilson as its new leader, and Leader of the Opposition
The Beatles release the album Please Please Me
The Alcatraz Island federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay closes
Doctor Beeching announces huges cuts in the railway system
Coca Cola start production of Diet Coke
70,000 march from Aldermarston to London to demonstarte against the Nuclear Arms
Tottenham Hotspur are the first British Team to win a European Trophy (European Cup beating Athletico Madrid 5 - 1)
The Christine Keeler affair forces Secretary of State for Wa, John Profumo to resign causing much scandel amongst the Government
The Great Train Robbery takes place in Buckinghamshire
Prime Minister Harold MacMillan resigns through ill health
Alec Douglas Home takes over as Prime Minister
The Dartford Road Tunnel opens linking Essex and Kent under the Thames
John F. Kennedy assassination: In Dallas, Texas
The first episode of the BBC television series Doctor Who is broadcast
Lee Harvey Oswald, alleged assassin of John F. Kennedy, is shot dead by Jack Ruby in Dallas, Texas
Years top selling Album (UK)
With the Beatles - The Beatles
Years top selling Single (UK)
She Loves You - The Beatles
Best Movie Oscar
Lawrence of Arabia
Best Actor Oscar
Gregory Peck - To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Actress Oscar
Anne Bancroft - The Miracle Worker
At the Cinema 1963
The Birds, Charade, Carry on Cabby, Carry on Jack, Cleapatra, From Russia with Love, The Great Escape,
The Nutty Professor, Lord of the Flies, Jason and the Argonauts, The Mouse on the Moon, This Sporting Life
People born in 1963
James May, Philip Glenister, Jarvis Cocker, David Seaman, Eva Cassidy, Michael Jordon, Jimmy Osmond, Graham Norton, Johnny Depp. Helen Hunt, Whitney Houston, Brad Pitt
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