Can You Pass The Ultimate 1960s Quiz?

Lenore Brown

Image: Wiki commons

About This Quiz

Are you a fan of the 1960s? Take this quiz to see how well you can hang.

The 1960s were a popular decade, even if you weren't born then. The '60s were one of those decades that are highlighted on social media as something people survived in the eyes of people today. But if you lived during the '60s, it was a decade of freedom. 

Kids played outside from sunup to sundown, mom flicked the front porch light to tell you to come home (or you made sure you headed for home as soon as the street lights came on), neighbors knew and cared about each other, candy, and Betty Crocker recipes flowed freely. Family and friends all piled into the back of the station wagon or the back of the pickup truck, sans seatbelts, and headed to the Dairy Queen for an after dinner treat. 
The '60s gave us The Beatles, the Pill, David Frost, the mini skirt, Twiggy, John F. Kennedy, the Volkswagen Beetle, and a trip to the moon. Of course, the '60s weren't all great. The nation also experienced the assassination of the first president born in the 20th century, Vietnam, and bloody Civil Rights protests.

Think you can ace this 1960s quiz? Let's get started.




In 1969, the U.S. became the first country to send a man to land where?

Under the Apollo 11 space mission in 1969, the U.S. became the first country to send humans to the Moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first two astronauts to walk on the Moon's surface.

In what country was the location of the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Missile Crisis one year later?

The Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961 was a failed U.S. mission to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. The failure of the mission in Cuba only strengthened Castro's leadership and his ties to the Soviet Union, leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis the following year.

The assassination of which U.S. president in 1963 shocked the nation and the world?

At the time, John F. Kennedy was the youngest person to ever be elected to the U.S. presidency. He was assassinated in Dallas, Texas in 1963, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was his successor.

Starting in 1955, what war quickly escalated during the 1960s creating many anti-war movements in the US?

The Vietnam war began in 1955 in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. By the 1960s, the war intensified after the Soviet Union began supporting North Vietnam, and the U.S. supported South Vietnam. Many Americans staged anti-war demonstrations and urged the U.S. military to withdraw support.

What movement to end racial discrimination led to a U.S. congressional act of the same name?

The Civil Rights Movement aimed to end discrimination of all Americans. This led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, or nationality.

Finish the title of the speech by Martin Luther King Jr. "I have a ___."

Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech was a call to end racism and discrimination. He first delivered the speech in Detroit on June 23, 1963, and then again in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963 where it was televised to the nation.

What recognizable symbol was popularized in the 1960s and could be found on all sorts of merchandise?

The smiley face symbol was introduced to popular culture in the 1960s. The symbol was simply a black circle, two black dots and a black smile on a yellow background which represented the smiley face.

What outdoor activity popular in the 1960s requires wheels and later became an action sport by performing tricks?

Skateboards were created when surfing enthusiasts, frustrated with bad weather, put skates on the front and back of wooden boards. Although skateboards were probably invented as early as the 1940s, they were popularized in the 1960s nationwide due to several surfing manufacturers making the sport equipment and marketing it as "sidewalk surfing."

The music phenomenon known as the "British Invasion" included the following popular artists EXCEPT?

The "British Invasion" was not a war but an invasion of British musical culture in America. Beginning with the ever popular English band The Beatles, other popular artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Kinks, and others became popular in the United States. Guns N' Roses was an American hard rock band that was popular during the 1980s.

What musical artist also known as "The King" was drafted by the military and returned to his successful music career in 1960?

Elvis Presley, known as "The King of Rock and Roll," was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1958. After serving for two years, he returned to his civilian life and continued to release musical hits in the 1960s.

What recording company founded by Berry Gordy Jr. published hits from artists such as the Supremes, The Jackson 5, and The Temptations?

Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Record Corporation in 1960 in Detroit, Michigan. In the 1960s, many hits recorded by the company made it to the top of the charts, helping Motown become the highest-earning African American business in the U.S. during the decade.

This comedian began hosting "The Tonight Show" in 1962 and continued to host the show for the next 30 years?

Johnny Carson was the host of "The Tonight Show" from 1962 to 1992. During his 30-year run, Carson became an American icon and paved the way for may famous actors, comedians, and musicians by having them as guests on his show.

If you turned on a television in the 1960s, what would NOT be on the screen?

"Miami Vice" was not broadcast on TV until 1984. The other shows were on during the 1960s and were considered hit shows among viewers.

What children's educational television show features Jim Henson's Muppet characters?

Sesame Street first debuted in 1969. Featuring Jim Henson's Muppet cast, it quickly became a successful television show. Other educational shows for children were also inspired by this show.

Which movie franchise that features a British secret agent debuted in the 1960s and had continued success for several decades?

The James Bond film series was based on Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. The character of James Bond was created in Fleming's first novel in 1953. Rights were purchased to produce films based on the novels. The film series started with "Dr. No" in 1962.

What Broadway musical about a woman who brings her love of music to a troubled home also became a theatrical film?

"The Sound of Music" started as a Broadway musical in 1959. When it was adapted to a theatrical film, it became the highest grossing film during the 1960s and was listed as one of the greatest American movies of all time.

What comic book series features a superhero who can "sense" danger, crawl up buildings, and shoot webbing?

Spider-Man first appeared in "Amazing Fantasy" issue #15 in 1962. The issue was so popular, the superhero got his own comic book series in 1963 titled "The Amazing Spider-Man."

You might be considered a hippie if you wore the following items EXCEPT what?

The hippie style became very popular among young adults during the 1960s. The style also followed the anti-war movement, since many young adults were also anti-war protesters. The style influenced the young culture and carried on into the 1970s.

What style of pants became a fashion trend for both men and women in the 1960s?

The 1960s brought the bell-bottom pants style to both men and women's clothing. Bell-bottom pants flared out at the bottom near the calf, creating the "bell-shaped" look.

What fashion piece was revived in the 1960s from French films and frequently worn by women?

Berets were hats typically worn by the military. However, many women in France wore them as a fashion statement, and when French films came to the U.S., American women also wanted to wear these hats.

The 1960s introduced a style that was out of this world; bright, shiny clothing made out of what material?

Plastic products were being heavily produced, and clothing manufacturers began to make clothing out of vinyl. The fabrics were coated with PVC to create a shiny appearance and completely new look from typical fabrics.

What women's beach attire became popular in the 1960s following the release of the movie "Beach Party"?

The bikini, named after Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, was originally invented in the 1940s by French fashion designers. However, the controversial and revealing design slowed adaptation in society until it was featured in the 1963 movie "Beach Party." The popularity​ of the swimsuit increased and sales rose throughout the 1960s.

The Beatles inspired what 1960s haircut?

When the Beatles became popular, many people wanted to imitate their "look." The mop-top haircut was easy for men to imitate, since it was generally a mid-length to slightly long haircut and wearing it messy made it look like a mop.

What style of automobiles gained popularity in the 1960s?

Throughout the 1960s, automakers produced cars that were more than just a utility. Car designs included the need for style and power. Vehicles such as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Pontiac GTO dominated the market.

What championship game between two American football teams started in 1967?

The Super Bowl was a championship game between the winners of the National Football League and the American Football League. It was also known as the World Championship Game prior to the NFL's merger with the AFL.

What flying disc toy was marketed to youth as a new sport in the 1960s?

Toy company Wham-O released a flying disc toy under the trademark name Frisbee. The market depicted it as a sport rather than a toy, which inspired several forms of Frisbee games, such as disc golf and disc ultimate.

What popular doll recorded record sales in the 1960s and even had her own dream house?

Mattel release Barbie dolls in 1959, but popularity rose in the 1960s due to the changeable clothing styles and accessories for the dolls. In addition, a male Ken doll was released, as well as Barbie's Dream House, and new clothing styles attributed to different careers.

What potentially dangerous toy taught children how to bake real food?

Easy Bake Oven was a working toy oven that was released by Hasbro in 1963. Children were able to make real food using the toy's incandescent light bulb as a heat source. However, the toy caused burn injuries if used improperly.

What masculine doll was marketed to boys and was inspired by the military?

G.I. Joe dolls were released by Hasbro in 1964. The doll quickly became an American icon due to its popularity among boys and because of real-world events during the 1960s.

What "physical" board game that requires players to place appendages on colored dots became popular after it was featured on "The Tonight Show"?

Twister was actually more of a physical game, where players were required to place their hands and feet to assigned colored dots. Most players would find themselves in odd, sometimes risque positions with other players. When it was featured on "The Tonight Show," the game was shown to be both fun and hilarious.

What major "supercenter" retailer opened its first store in Arkansas?

Sam Walton already had a successful store when he opened Walmart Discount City in 1962. In five years, Walton had opened over 20 new Walmart stores and expanded to a national chain.

What music playback format popular in the 1960s was eventually phased out by the compact cassette tape?

The 8-track tape was a type of music playback format during the 1960s. It was comprised of a magnetic tape in a cartridge format. The cassette tape still used the magnetic tape technology, but was superior to the 8-track because of better durability, better playback sound in automobiles, and the ability to rewind.

What large indoor shopping center popularized in the 1960s became became a destination place for youth to shop, eat, and hang out?

Legislation passed in the 1960s helped certain retailers to band together to avoid income taxes. This led to incentives for the construction of indoor shopping malls. The shopping mall was a large center with several different retailers all connected in the same building.

What electronic device was invented in the 1960s that helped speed up the computation of numbers?

The electric calculator was invented in the 1960s. However, the size and expense limited the use of the calculator to offices, laboratories, and banks. Some schools were able to obtain calculators, but they were purchased for the entire classroom, not for individual students.

What controversial pill received FDA approval for distribution in 1960?

Birth control pills, or contraceptive pills, were introduced after approval by the FDA. The pill was controversial because it enabled sexual activity among youth without consequences, other than the pill's side effects.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes