DAILY DIRT: What a decade — First man on the moon, JFK and the mini skirt

Daily Dirt for Tuesday, March 25, 2025

And let’s not forget, “Bond. James Bond.” … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,238 of The Daily Dirt

1. The years that made up the decade of the 1960s were filled with cultural change, music, fashion and major events like no other period before it.

And some will say, like no other afterward. You can decide that on your own this week as each day we examine some key elements that accompanied the ensuing decades of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. But for now, let’s look in that rear-view mirror and remember — hopefully, with a smile — at the following elements that made the ’60s so very special.

We’ll be presenting 10 important developments from each of the aforementioned decades this week in no specific order. So let’s get started with the ’60s:

The first man on the moon: The words will live forever … “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. I was doubly proud watching that day in 1969, because the man uttering those words, astronaut Neil Armstrong, was an Ohio native like myself.

Woodstock: Still considered the greatest rock concert of all time, sweeping across all of those acres and acres of farmland in upstate New York. From Jimi Hendrix to Janis Joplin, just about every big name at the time was there.

The Vietnam War: This conflict in southeast Asia divided our nation and created profound social, economic and moral damage. The things I remember most, alongside the footage of the war itself and the casualties that mounted on a daily basis, were the never-ending protests and violence from coast- to coast.

Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream Speech”: Anyone alive at the time will always consider this greatest speech of the 20th century.

The arrival of the Beatles: The 1960s represented a decade full of musical blessings, but at the head of that list were these guys.

JFK: The young, Catholic president brought promise and hope to a nation when he was elected in November 1960. But just three short years later, The shooting of President John F. Kennedy sent shockwaves across the world. I was in third grade and will always remember my teacher breaking into tears when word reached our room on the afternoon of Nov. 22, 1963.

James Bond: Do we really need to say anything else but, “Bond. James Bond”.

Cuban missile crisis: I’ll always remember how glued to the CBS Evening News my parents were for 13 days in October 1962. The entire planet feared the end was near.

The mini skirt: This fashion exclamation mark took the decade by storm, and has been with us ever since.

The Twist: A worldwide dance phenomenon, served with an exclamation point by the legendary Chubby Checker.

Tomorrow: The 1970s.

2. Did you know (Part 313)

• That Canadians eat more macaroni and cheese than any other nation in the world.
• That the New York City Police Department used to have a police officer follow pro wrestler Andre the Giant whenever he went out drinking. This was to make sure he didn’t get drunk and fall on anyone.
• That Snoop Dogg’s real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. His nickname came from his mother, who thought he looked like Snoopy from the Peanuts comic strip.
• That a snail can sleep for up to three years.
• That the full name of Los Angeles is actually “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula.”

3. Here’s this week’s top celebrity birthdays:

• Singer Elton John is 78 today. Well, goodbye yellow brick road!
• Auto racer Danica Patrick also has a birthday today. She’s 43. Remember when she was dating NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse?
• Entertainer Diana Ross turns 81 on Wednesday. The first Diana Ross record I bought was in 1966.
• Singer Mariah Carey will be 55 on Thursday. My favorite Mariah song is “Love Takes Time”.
• Entertainer Lady Gaga turns 39 on Friday. I wonder what color her hair is today?

Steve Thought O’ The Day — I don’t know what’s harder to believe — that Diana Ross is 81 or that Lady Gaga is only 39.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. I thought Steve was also around for Lincoln’s assassination.