In the 1960s, change was everywhere, and being young meant you were right at the heart of it all. So many things happened during this decade that we still talk about even today. Let’s look at 18 things that made the 1960s so amazing.
The Rise of Counterculture
Counterculture in the ’60s broke the mold and showed people new ways to live and love. Being part of the counterculture meant you were up for anything, and sometimes that involved going to a protest or maybe just growing out your own hair. It was a time for freedom and finding your own path in life like never before.
New TV Shows
TV shows in the ’60s pushed our imagination to the limits with the mysteries of “The Twilight Zone” and the adventures of “Star Trek.” While these shows were certainly fun to watch, they also made us think and dream about the impossible. They dealt with some pretty complex themes and showed us a new way to think about society.
Pop Art Pops Off
Andy Warhol’s pop art turned everyday objects into something extraordinary, and it was practically everywhere. This movement challenged our normal view of art by making it more accessible and engaging for everyone. Even today, most people remember Campbell’s soup as a piece of art rather than actual food.
Comic Book Craze
The 1960s created a ton of cultural icons with comic book superheroes. Both adults and children alike found those stories of heroes and villains really interesting. Their stories often dealt with more serious issues, and these comic books taught us more about our own culture and history than any school could.
The Relationship Revolution
This was also a decade when people’s attitudes towards relationships and intimacy changed. Thanks to the rise of contraception and birth control, we began talking more about personal freedom and body politics. People began supporting personal rights and the right to control our own bodies.
Music Technology
When the cassette tape came around, the way we listened to music changed. Suddenly, you could make your own mixtape and take your favorite songs with you anywhere. Music was now more personal and accessible than ever before, and because of this, we could create our own mixtapes.
Kids Shows
Who doesn’t love “Sesame Street?” Of course, it was fun to watch, but it also taught us some important things like letters and numbers in an interesting way. Those cute characters and catchy songs also showed us some life lessons, and the show became the perfect example of educational programming for kids.
So Much Surfing
Surf culture took the coasts by storm in the ’60s, leading to the rise of surf music with bands like the Beach Boys. This culture celebrated the joys of summer and inspired a sense of freedom for practically everyone. It’s no surprise that so many young people fell in love with this chill and cool way of life.
Muscle Cars
Muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro roared into life during this decade. These cars gave us a new sense of speed and power, plus a whole lot of cool. For many people, owning a muscle car became a dream come true because they were the perfect example of American performance and creativity.
New Food
We also saw many new types of food during the 1960s. As many Americans traveled abroad, they brought back a taste for international cuisines, which led to an explosion of Chinese and Mexican restaurants across America. Our tastebuds became more varied, and we had so many new flavors to choose from.
The Great Outdoors
Many people started camping and going outdoors in the ’60s because national parks were more open, and more cars meant we could go to remote areas. We started caring a lot more about nature and being outside, which was great for our health. We also felt a connection to the environment like never before.
Sci-Fi Cinema
Science fiction movies like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Planet of the Apes” hit the big screen in the 1960s, and they gave us amazing visuals and mind-bending stories. These films were exciting, and they also helped us see technology and the universe in a new way. Suddenly, space was a lot closer.
Smiley Face
Even though it was simple, the yellow simple face became a ’60s icon. It was a symbol of happiness and peace that you’d see practically everywhere. Soon enough, this picture became the perfect example of good vibes and positivity across the world. Is there anything more ’60s than that?
Dance Crazes
The ’60s was filled with dance crazes like the Twist and the Mashed Potato. It felt like every few months, there was a new dance that kept everyone moving to the beat and made everyone feel included. It didn’t matter how old you were because everyone could join in to have some fun. There was no greater place to be than the dance floor.
Yoga and Meditation
During this decade, yoga and meditation made their way from the East to the West and soon became popular among people looking for some inner peace. They were a totally new way to relax and find your center among all the hustle and bustle of life. These movements helped kickstart our modern fitness and wellness movements.
Home Computers
Even though they were still pretty basic, the first home computers started appearing in the late 1960s. By today’s standards, these early machines were primitive, but they helped to start our fascination with digital technology and created new types of hobbies. Without them, we wouldn’t have all the screens we have today.
High-Speed Trains
Although it didn’t catch on in the US until much later, some parts of the world introduced high-speed rail during this decade. Now, the idea of traveling quickly on the ground was as exciting as going into space. It was a time of fast travel that made going from place to place way easier.
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