Magical mystery tour

The Beatles and the Psychedelic Years

  • Period: to

    The Beatles Psychedelic Years

  • President Lyndon B. Johnson announces his "Great Society" plan during his State of the Union address

     President Lyndon B. Johnson announces his "Great Society" plan during his State of the Union address
  • LBJ sworn into his own full term as President

    LBJ sworn into his own full term as President
  • Winston Churchill dies

    Winston Churchill dies
    Sir Winston Churchill dies aged 90 at Chartwell, his Kent home of more than 40 years.
  • Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox marry

    Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox marry
    Twenty-two days after he proposed to her in the Ad Lib Club, London, Ringo Starr married Maureen Cox at the city's Caxton Hall Register Office.
    The guests included John Lennon and George Harrison, and Brian Epstein was the best man. Paul McCartney was on holiday in Portugal at the time, so was unable to attend.
    Followiing the wedding the happy couple drove to Hove, Sussex, where they enjoyed a short honeymoon.
  • Malcolm X is assassinated in Manhattan

    Malcolm X is assassinated in Manhattan
  • Bloody Sunday

    Bloody Sunday
    Some 200 Alabama State Troopers clash with 525 civil rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama.
  • First American combat troops in Vietnam

    First American combat troops in Vietnam
  • Gemini 3

    Gemini 3
    NASA launches the United States' first 2-person crew (Gus Grissom, John Young) into Earth orbit.
  • UC Berkeley Draft Card burning

    UC Berkeley Draft Card burning
    Forty men burn their draft cards at the University of California, Berkeley, and a coffin is marched to the Berkeley Draft Board.
  • The Beatles are knighted

    The Beatles are knighted
    Queen Elizabeth awards the four the MBE (Member of the British Empire). John returns his in 1969, partly in protest at British support for United States in the Vietnam War.
  • British government begins to regulate blood alcohol level

  • President Johnson announces more troops

    President Johnson announces more troops
    President Lyndon B. Johnson announces his order to increase the number of United States troops in South Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000, and to double the number of men drafted per month from 17,000 to 35,000.
    http://abcnews.go.com/Archives/video/lbj-announces-troop-surge-10240974
  • Help! the film is released

    Help! the film is released
  • Help! the album is released in the UK

    Help! the album is released in the UK
    Released a week later in the US
  • First stadium concert in the history of rock

    First stadium concert in the history of rock
    The Beatles perform the first stadium concert in the history of rock at Shea Stadium in New York.
    https://vimeo.com/64434714
  • US Department of Housing and Urban Development created

    US Department of Housing and Urban Development created
  • Zak Starkey is born

    Zak Starkey is born
  • Yesterday/ Act Naturally single released

    Yesterday/ Act Naturally single released
  • British Petroleum strikes oil in the North Sea.

    British Petroleum strikes oil in the North Sea.
  • Anti-War Self-Immolation

    Anti-War Self-Immolation
    Quaker Norman Morrison sets himself on fire outside The Pentagon to protest United States involvement in the Vietnam War.
  • Rubber Soul is released

    Rubber Soul is released
  • We Can Work It Out/ Day Tripper Single released

    We Can Work It Out/ Day Tripper Single released
  • Final Beatles performances in UK

    Final Beatles performances in UK
    The Beatles' last live U.K. tour concludes with two performances at the Capitol, Cardiff.
  • Oil Embargo on Rhodesia

    Oil Embargo on Rhodesia
    The British government begins an oil embargo against Rhodesia; the United States joins the effort.
  • Doctor Zhivago premieres in US cinemas

    Doctor Zhivago premieres in US cinemas
  • First African American US Cabinet member

    First African American US Cabinet member
    Robert C. Weaver becomes the first African American Cabinet member, by being appointed United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
  • George Harrison and Pattie Boyd marry

    George Harrison and Pattie Boyd marry
  • Nowhere Man/ What Goes On single released

    Nowhere Man/ What Goes On single released
  • "More Popular than Jesus" interview

    "More Popular than Jesus" interview
  • Yesterday and Today album released in the US

    Yesterday and Today album released in the US
    Known for its controversial "butcher cover"
    Included songs from the Help!, Rubber Soul, the tracks Day Tripper and We Can Work It Out, and songs from the not-yet-released Revolver album
  • U.S. troops in Vietnam total 250,000.

  • MLK Jr. on Vietnam

    MLK Jr. on Vietnam
    In New York City, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. makes his first public speech on the Vietnam War.
  • Paperback Writer/ Rain single released

    Paperback Writer/ Rain single released
  • Miranda vs. Arizona

    Miranda vs. Arizona
    The Supreme Court of the United States rules that the police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning them.
  • Revolver is released

    Revolver is released
    Released on Aug 8 in the US
  • Yellow Submarine/ Eleanor Rigby single released

    Yellow Submarine/ Eleanor Rigby single released
  • House Un-American Activities Committee Investigations

    House Un-American Activities Committee Investigations
    The House Un-American Activities Committee starts investigating Americans who have aided the Viet Cong, with the intent to make these activities illegal. Anti-war demonstrators disrupt the meeting and 50 are arrested.
  • Last Beatles concert

    Last Beatles concert
    The Beatles play their very last concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTye1MOTpls
  • Star Trek premieres on NBC

    Star Trek premieres on NBC
  • Cathy Come Home

    Cathy Come Home
    The BBC television drama Cathy Come Home, filmed in a docudrama style, is broadcast on BBC1. Viewed by a quarter of the British population, it is considered influential on public attitudes to homelessness and the related social issues it deals with.
  • Walt Disney dies

    Walt Disney dies
    Walt Disney dies while producing The Jungle Book, the last animated feature under his personal supervision.
  • Outer Space Treaty

    Outer Space Treaty
    The United States, Soviet Union and United Kingdom sign the Outer Space Treaty. Among its principles, it bars states party to the treaty from placing weapons of mass destruction in orbit of Earth, installing them on the Moon or any other celestial body, or to otherwise station them in outer space.
  • 25th Amendment is ratified

    25th Amendment is ratified
    The 25th Amendment deals with succession to the Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, as well as responding to Presidential disabilities.
  • Police raid of Keith Richards's home in Sussex

    Police raid of Keith Richards's home in Sussex
    Police raided 'Redlands', the Sussex home of Rolling Stones musician Keith Richards, following a tip-off from the News of the World. No immediate arrests are made, but Richards, fellow band member Mick Jagger and art dealer Robert Fraser were later charged with possession of drugs.
  • Penny Lane/ Strawberry Fields Forever single released

    Penny Lane/ Strawberry Fields Forever single released
  • In the Heat of the Night wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards

    In the Heat of the Night wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards
  • Black Panther protest

    Black Panther protest
    Armed members of the Black Panther Party enter the California state capital to protest a bill that restricted the carrying of arms in public.
  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

    Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
  • Summer of Love takes place in San Francisco

    Summer of Love takes place in San Francisco
  • Start of the 6-Day War

    Start of the 6-Day War
    Israeli fighter jets and Israeli warships fire at the USS Liberty off Gaza, killing 34 and wounding 171.
  • Our World Broadcast

    Our World Broadcast
    The Beatles perform 'All You Need is Love' at the "Our World" televeision broadcast put on by the BBC.
  • Male homosexuality decriminalised

    Parliament decriminalised male homosexuality in England and Wales with the Sexual Offences Act.
  • All You Need Is Love/ Baby You're a Rich Man single released

    All You Need Is Love/ Baby You're a Rich Man single released
  • Minneapolis race riot

    Minneapolis race riot
    Breaks out in the North Side of Minneapolis on Plymouth Street during the Minneapolis Aquatennial Parade and business are vandalized and fires break out in the area, although the disturbance is quelled within hours. However, the next day a shooting sets off another incident in the same area that leads to 18 fires, 36 arrests, 3 shootings, 2 dozen people injured, and damages totaling 4.2 million.
  • Detroit Riots begin

    Detroit Riots begin
    In Detroit, one of the worst riots in United States history begins on 12th Street in the predominantly African American inner city: 43 are killed, 342 injured and 1,400 buildings burned.
  • People's Republic of China announcement

    The People's Republic of China announces that it has shot down United States planes violating its airspace.
  • The Beatles and their wives go to Bangor, Wales to attend a seminar by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

    The Beatles and their wives go to Bangor, Wales to attend a seminar by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
  • Brian Epstein found dead

    Brian Epstein found dead
    The Beatles leave their seminar in Bangor, Wales early upon hearing the news.
  • Hair opens Off-Broadway

    Hair opens Off-Broadway
    The musical Hair opens off-Broadway. It moves to Broadway the following April.
  • March on the Pentagon

    March on the Pentagon
    Several thousands people advance to the Pentagon to protest against the Vietnam War.
  • Hong Kong Riots

    Hong Kong Riots
    British troops and Chinese demonstrators clashed on the border of China and Hong Kong during the Hong Kong Riots.
  • Hello Goodbye/ I Am the Walrus single released

    Hello Goodbye/ I Am the Walrus single released
  • Magical Mystery Tour album released

    Magical Mystery Tour album released
  • Eugene McCarthy announces presidential campaign

    Eugene McCarthy announces presidential campaign
    U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy announces his candidacy for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, challenging incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson over the Vietnam War.
  • The Beatles' Apple Shop opens in London

    The Beatles' Apple Shop opens in London
  • Magical Mystery Tour Boxing Day Broadcast

    Magical Mystery Tour Boxing Day Broadcast
  • "I'm Backing Britain" campaign

    "I'm Backing Britain" campaign
    The Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, endorses the 'I'm Backing Britain' campaign, encouraging workers to work extra time without pay or take other actions to help competitiveness, which is spreading across Britain.
  • Apple Corp is founded

    Apple Corp is founded
    Apple Corp, a record company founded by the Beatles, opens offices in London.
  • Viet Cong launches the Tet Offensive

    Viet Cong launches the Tet Offensive
    The Viet Cong then attacks the U.S. Embassy in Saigon on January 31, 1968.
  • McCartney, Asher, and the Starrs fly from London to Rishikesh.

    McCartney, Asher, and the Starrs fly from London to Rishikesh.
  • The Starrs leave Rishikesh earlier than expected.

  • Lady Madonna/ Inner Light single released

    Lady Madonna/ Inner Light single released
  • My Lai Massacre

    My Lai Massacre
    American troops kill scores of civilians. The story will first become public in November 1969 and will help undermine public support for the U.S. efforts in Vietnam.
  • Robert Kennedy announcement

    Robert Kennedy announcement
    U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy enters the race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination.
    http://www.history.com/topics/robert-f-kennedy/videos/robert-f-kennedy-announces-his-candidacy
  • McCartney and Asher leave Rishikesh

  • Lyndon Johnson announces he will not seek re-election in 1968

    Lyndon Johnson announces he will not seek re-election in 1968
  • Planet of the Apes premieres in US cinemas

    Planet of the Apes premieres in US cinemas
  • Robert F. Kennedy speaks at Ball State University

    Robert F. Kennedy speaks at Ball State University
  • Martin Luther King Jr. assassination

    Martin Luther King Jr. assassination
    Martin Luther King, Jr. is shot dead at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Riots erupt in major American cities, lasting for several days afterwards.
  • U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968

    U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968
  • The Harrisons and Lennons leave Rishikesh

  • The Harrisons and Lennons leave London on their way to Rishikesh, India, for a retreat with the Maharishi.

    The Harrisons and Lennons leave London on their way to Rishikesh, India, for a retreat with the Maharishi.
  • Robert Kennedy assassination

    Robert Kennedy assassination
    U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California by Sirhan Sirhan. Kennedy dies from his injuries the next day.
  • Yellow Submarine film is released

    Yellow Submarine film is released
  • James Earl Ray arrested in London

    James Earl Ray arrested in London
    Martin Luther King, Jr.'s killer, James Earl Ray, arrested in London.
  • Hey Jude/ Revolution single released

    Hey Jude/ Revolution single released
  • 60 Minutes debuts on CBS

    60 Minutes debuts on CBS
  • Theatres Act 1968 ends censorship of the theatre

    Theatres Act 1968 ends censorship of the theatre
    This end of censorship allows Hair to open in London theatres the next day.
  • John and Cynthia's divorce is finalized

    John and Cynthia's divorce is finalized
  • Yale University announces it is going to admit women

    Yale University announces it is going to admit women
  • The Beatles (White Album) is released

    The Beatles (White Album) is released
  • British Race Relations Act

    The Race Relations Act is passed, making it illegal to refuse housing, employment or public services to people in Britain because of their ethnic background.