360The 1960s: the first astronaut and the Moon landing
Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space in 1961, and Apollo 11 landed on the Moon in 1969. Saudi Arabia co-founded OPEC in 1960, and King Faisal began his reign in 1964, launching major development and the Kingdom's first television service. Satellites began relaying television across oceans.
On 12 April 1961, the Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin orbited the Earth in Vostok 1, becoming the first human in space. In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space.
In September 1960, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Venezuela founded the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, to coordinate their oil policies. Saudi Arabia became one of its leading members.
In 1964, King Faisal began his reign. He promoted education, including schooling for girls, which had begun in 1960, and planned the Kingdom's modern development. Saudi television began broadcasting in 1965.
Communications went global. In 1962, the Telstar satellite relayed the first live television pictures across the Atlantic.
In the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, colour, sex or national origin. In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built, dividing the city for 28 years.
On 20 July 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon, and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first people to walk on its surface. Hundreds of millions watched on television.
- 1960
- OPEC founded
- 1961
- Gagarin orbits the Earth
- 1964
- King Faisal's reign begins
- 1965
- Saudi television begins
- 1969
- Apollo 11 lands on the Moon
Sources: Britannica · OPEC · NASA · Saudipedia.