8 signs you were born in the 1960s
Do you remember when the first presidential debate was aired on TV? Or when Kennedy was elected (and then shot)? The Cuban missile crisis? If so, you were probably born in the 60s.
Unlike the 1950s, the ‘60s was a decade of change, marking a revolution of sorts in politics and society as a whole. From civil rights protests to anti-war activism, the decade represented a stark change from year’s past.
Here are 8 signs that you were born in the 1960s.
1. Your wardrobe was filled with jumpers and Keds
The ’60s ushered in a new fashion trend that included sleek new shoes and insanely large and colorful collars. Fashion became much more casual during the decade and redefined what elegance and professionalism looked like.
Color permeated clothes in the ‘60s for both men and women.
2. Your evenings included groovy entertainment
Television shows like The Beverly Hillbillies, Bonanza, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and The Andy Griffith Show all gave Americans a reason to tune in and laugh at night.
And, the Sci-Fi genre was just kicking off during the decade with the production of shows like The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, The Outer Limits, and The Invaders.
Don’t forget about The Lucy Show, Bewitched and Green Acres, too!
3. You rode around in a VW Microbus
Many cars of the ‘60s are still around today, like the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camero, and Corvette.
But, the decade also ushed in a new era of automobiles like the Volkswagon Microbus equipped with a rear-mounted air-cooled engine (a marvel of its time), the Plymouth Barracuda, and the Toyota 2000GT that you probably won’t see around much anymore.
3. Your parents actually went on dates
In the ‘60s, dates weren’t meant just for two people in the process of courting each other.
Your parents were regular party animals, commonly playing card games, attending parties, or just going out on a date while you kids stayed home.
4. You didn’t have to drive two days to see your extended family
Families were much closer together, physically. Usually in the same city, you spent less time moving to other states for jobs (and maybe a little more sunshine) and more time hunkering down in the town that you grew up in.
Aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandparents were – for good or for bad, within a short distance of where you lived.
5. You lived on the edge
You did wild and crazy things, like went out with your friends without a cell phone, drank directly from a garden hose, quietly picked up the house phone to listen in on conversations, and went to bed hungry if you complained too much about what mom and dad made for dinner.
6. You know who Lee Marvin and Sandra Dee are
Movie stars of the 1960s included big household names like John Wayne, Elvis Presley, and Sean Connery. But, they also included names like Steve McQueen, Jack Lemmon, Paul Newman, Lee Marvin and Sandra Dee.
If you remember your parents talking about these names, you’re a product of the 60s. And if you remember watching movies with these names, you were certainly ahead of your time.
8. You remember what you were doing when…
The ‘60s was the decade when so many historical events, that we still talk about today, happened. And, you (and especially your parents) probably know exactly where you were or what you were doing when you first heard of them.
Things like:
The first televised presidential debate (1960) aired on all three TV networks between candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
The Bay of Pigs invasion (1961), a failed attempt at removing Cuban president Fidel Castro from power.
The Kennedy Assassination (1963), in Dallas, TX. Lyndon Johnson is subsequently sworn in as U.S. president.
The first Vietnam War “Teach-In” (1965), where anti-war teachers protested the U.S.’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Thurgood Marshall confirmed (1967) as the first African American to sit on the United States Supreme Court.
