July 17: Most Memorable TV Moments: The 1960s

By Sylvia Gurinsky

YesterTube continues this decade-by-decade look at the most memorable television moments with the 1960s. This decade probably had more earth-shaking items than any other - both in the type of news that was made and the way television was covering it.

Sports: Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) defeats Sonny Liston, February 25, 1964

It was more than just a heavyweight championship fight that took place in Miami Beach that night. Clay had been gaining attention for being quite unlike any athlete who ever came before, with his poetry and his taunts. But there was another side to him: He had become a Black Muslim and after this fight, announced his name change to Muhammad Ali. Other athletes since have tried to show plenty of flash and dash. But none have ever quite had the substance of Ali, who was willing to sacrifice his boxing career and his freedom over the Vietnam War and later came back to reclaim his self-described label as "The Greatest." This is how it started:

Clay (Ali) - Liston


Culture: The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show," February 9, 1964

Just two weeks before the legend of Ali came to fruition, the legend of The Beatles did on the long-running CBS show. American audiences had been hearing about the four lads from Liverpool - and their teenage children were already hearing their records.

It was inevitable that television - and Ed Sullivan, whose show usually scored high ratings - would come calling. This legend started with the screaming:

The Beatles

John, Paul, George and Ringo only sang together for a few short years. But the music will go on forever.


News (1 of 2): JFK Assassination, November 22, 1963

One of the two most transformative news stories in a decade that was filled with them, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy would shake the nation in ways that are still felt today. From a television news standpoint, it was when live news coverage came of age - and when Walter Cronkite of CBS established himself as the go-to newsman:

JFK Assassination


News (2 of 2): Man On the Moon, July 20, 1969

Kennedy's dream was for the U.S. to go to the moon. A dozen astronauts would make that dream come true on live television between 1969 and 1972.

Walter Cronkite and retired astronaut Wally Schirra were among those without words the moment Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin touched down the lunar module "Eagle" on the moon for the first landing. It was the high point of the decade, the 20th century and maybe television history:

Apollo 11


Note: The 1970s will be presented Thursday, as will a tribute to director William Asher, who died today.