I’m so excited to share these 1960s trivia questions with you. The ’60s were such a transformative decade – full of incredible music, groundbreaking cultural shifts, and unforgettable moments that changed our world forever.
Last weekend, my family and I were stuck inside during a rainstorm, and I pulled out some ’60s trivia questions. Even my teenage kids, who usually roll their eyes at “old people stuff,” got totally into it! There’s something magical about testing your knowledge of this colorful decade.
In this collection, I’ve put together over 100 fascinating trivia questions covering everything from music and movies to politics and pop culture of the 1960s. Whether you’re planning a themed party, looking for some fun conversation starters, or just want to test your knowledge of this incredible era, I’ve got you covered!
Music Trivia Questions
The 1960s completely revolutionized music, giving us rock and roll, psychedelic sounds, protest songs, and the British Invasion. These questions will take you on a musical journey through this transformative decade. I personally love the Beatles questions – my dad played their albums constantly when I was growing up!
- Which band released the album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in 1967?
Answer: The Beatles - Who sang “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”?
Answer: The Rolling Stones - Which Motown group had hits like “Baby Love” and “Stop! In the Name of Love”?
Answer: The Supremes - Which iconic music festival took place in August 1969?
Answer: Woodstock - What was Bob Dylan’s first #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100?
Answer: “Like a Rolling Stone” - Which American guitarist performed a famous rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock?
Answer: Jimi Hendrix - Which band featured Jim Morrison as their lead singer?
Answer: The Doors - What was the name of The Beatles’ final album, released in 1970 (though recorded in 1969)?
Answer: Let It Be - Which female singer released “Respect” in 1967?
Answer: Aretha Franklin - Which British band was led by Mick Jagger?
Answer: The Rolling Stones - What was the name of the record label founded by Berry Gordy Jr.?
Answer: Motown Records - Which 1960s band featured Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon?
Answer: The Who - What instrument did Ringo Starr play in The Beatles?
Answer: Drums - Which folk trio released “Puff, the Magic Dragon” in 1963?
Answer: Peter, Paul and Mary - Which singer was known as the “Queen of Soul”?
Answer: Aretha Franklin - Which band released the album “Pet Sounds” in 1966?
Answer: The Beach Boys - Which artist released the album “Highway 61 Revisited” in 1965?
Answer: Bob Dylan - What was The Beatles’ first #1 hit in America?
Answer: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” - Which Motown group was known as “The Emperors of Soul”?
Answer: The Temptations - Which female singer released “Son of a Preacher Man” in 1968?
Answer: Dusty Springfield
If you’re looking for more fun ways to test your knowledge with friends, check out our collection of would you rather questions that’ll get everyone talking and laughing!
Movies and TV Trivia Questions
The ’60s brought us some incredible films and TV shows that still hold up today. From spy thrillers to sci-fi adventures, this decade was golden for entertainment. I still remember watching reruns of these shows as a kid and being completely mesmerized!
- Which TV series featured a talking horse named Mr. Ed?
Answer: “Mister Ed” - Who played James Bond in the 1960s films “Dr. No,” “From Russia with Love,” and “Goldfinger”?
Answer: Sean Connery - Which 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film featured the famous shower scene?
Answer: “Psycho” - What was the name of the TV series that featured the Cartwright family on the Ponderosa Ranch?
Answer: “Bonanza” - Which 1968 science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick featured the computer HAL?
Answer: “2001: A Space Odyssey” - What TV show featured Rod Serling as the host and narrator?
Answer: “The Twilight Zone” - Which actress played Mary Poppins in the 1964 Disney film?
Answer: Julie Andrews - What was the name of the TV show that starred Adam West as Batman?
Answer: “Batman” - Which 1967 film starring Dustin Hoffman had the famous line “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you?”
Answer: “The Graduate” - What comedy series featured a family of monsters living at 1313 Mockingbird Lane?
Answer: “The Munsters” - Which 1960 film starred Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates?
Answer: “Psycho” - What TV show featured a family who lived at 1164 Morning Glory Circle?
Answer: “Bewitched” - Which 1964 Beatles film was directed by Richard Lester?
Answer: “A Hard Day’s Night” - What TV sitcom starred Barbara Eden as a 2,000-year-old genie?
Answer: “I Dream of Jeannie” - Which 1963 comedy film features a massive slapstick pie fight?
Answer: “The Great Race” - What animated TV show featured Fred and Wilma Flintstone?
Answer: “The Flintstones” - Which iconic film series began with “Dr. No” in 1962?
Answer: James Bond - What sci-fi TV show created by Gene Roddenberry premiered in 1966?
Answer: “Star Trek” - Which 1969 western starred Paul Newman and Robert Redford as outlaws?
Answer: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” - What TV show featured Maxwell Smart as Agent 86?
Answer: “Get Smart”
Looking for more movie trivia? Check out our collection of 80s movie trivia questions for another nostalgic decade!
Politics and History Trivia Questions
The 1960s was one of the most politically charged and transformative decades in modern history. From civil rights to the Cold War, these questions cover the major events that shaped our world. I remember my grandparents telling stories about where they were during some of these historic moments.
- Who was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963?
Answer: President John F. Kennedy - What was the name of the NASA program that aimed to land humans on the Moon?
Answer: Apollo Program - Who delivered the famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963?
Answer: Martin Luther King Jr. - Which country built the Berlin Wall in 1961?
Answer: East Germany (German Democratic Republic) - Who was the first African American appointed to the Supreme Court in 1967?
Answer: Thurgood Marshall - What major piece of civil rights legislation was signed into law in 1964?
Answer: Civil Rights Act of 1964 - What was the name of the standoff between the US and USSR over missiles in Cuba?
Answer: Cuban Missile Crisis - Which US President signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
Answer: Lyndon B. Johnson - What controversial war began escalating significantly in the mid-1960s?
Answer: Vietnam War - Who became the first woman in space in 1963?
Answer: Valentina Tereshkova - What movement advocating for women’s rights gained momentum in the late 1960s?
Answer: Women’s Liberation Movement/Feminism - Which political leader was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee?
Answer: Martin Luther King Jr. - What was the name of the NASA mission that first landed humans on the Moon?
Answer: Apollo 11 - Which major political figure was assassinated in Los Angeles in June 1968?
Answer: Robert F. Kennedy - What was the name of the massive student protest movement in France in May 1968?
Answer: May 1968 protests or “May 68” - What famous speech did President Kennedy deliver in Berlin in 1963?
Answer: “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech - Which nation became the first to put a human in space in 1961?
Answer: Soviet Union - What controversial barrier was erected in August 1961?
Answer: Berlin Wall - Who was the Republican candidate who lost to John F. Kennedy in the 1960 election?
Answer: Richard Nixon - What organization founded by Cesar Chavez advocated for farmworkers’ rights?
Answer: United Farm Workers (UFW)
For more thought-provoking conversation starters, check out our collection of philosophical questions that will get you thinking deeply!
Sports Trivia Questions
The ’60s gave us some of the greatest sports heroes and unforgettable moments in athletic history. From Muhammad Ali to the Green Bay Packers, this decade was full of legends. My dad still talks about watching some of these events on his family’s first color TV!
- Which boxer, born Cassius Clay, changed his name in 1964?
Answer: Muhammad Ali - Which team won the first Super Bowl in January 1967?
Answer: Green Bay Packers - Who was the first African American to play in the Masters golf tournament?
Answer: Lee Elder - Which Brazilian soccer player led his country to World Cup victories in 1962 and 1970?
Answer: Pelé - Who broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1961?
Answer: Roger Maris - Which tennis player won the Grand Slam (all four major tournaments) in 1962?
Answer: Rod Laver - Which Olympic athlete made a famous Black Power salute during a medal ceremony in 1968?
Answer: Tommie Smith (and John Carlos) - Who was the coach of the Green Bay Packers for most of the 1960s?
Answer: Vince Lombardi - Which team won the first NBA championship of the 1960s?
Answer: Boston Celtics - What was the name of the stadium where the Beatles performed their first US concert?
Answer: Shea Stadium - Which golfer is known as “The Golden Bear”?
Answer: Jack Nicklaus - Which team did Wilt Chamberlain play for when he scored 100 points in a single game in 1962?
Answer: Philadelphia Warriors - Who was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy?
Answer: Ernie Davis - Which country hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics?
Answer: Japan (Tokyo) - Who won the Heavyweight Boxing Championship in 1964 by defeating Sonny Liston?
Answer: Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali - Which NASCAR driver won his first Grand National Championship in 1964?
Answer: Richard Petty - Which football club became the first English team to win the European Cup in 1968?
Answer: Manchester United - What major sports league held its first draft in 1965?
Answer: NBA (National Basketball Association) - Which horse won the Triple Crown in 1967?
Answer: No horse won the Triple Crown in 1967 (the closest was Damascus) - Who was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers during their Super Bowl I victory?
Answer: Bart Starr
Sports fans will also enjoy our sports trivia questions covering all major sports across different eras!
Pop Culture and Fashion Trivia Questions
The 1960s completely transformed fashion, art, and culture. From miniskirts to mod styles, psychedelic patterns to pop art, this decade was a visual feast. I love showing my kids pictures of these wild trends – they can’t believe people actually dressed like that!
- What fashion item was popularized by designer Mary Quant in the 1960s?
Answer: Miniskirt - Which model was nicknamed “The Twig” and became a fashion icon of the 1960s?
Answer: Twiggy - What art movement, associated with Andy Warhol, gained popularity in the 1960s?
Answer: Pop Art - What popular dance was inspired by a Chubby Checker song?
Answer: The Twist - What was the name of the first successful communications satellite, launched in 1962?
Answer: Telstar - Which toy, a plastic hoop that users swing around their waist, became a fad in the early 1960s?
Answer: Hula Hoop - What was the name of the cultural movement centered in London in the mid-1960s?
Answer: Swinging London - Which famous fashion doll was introduced by Mattel in 1959 but became hugely popular in the 1960s?
Answer: Barbie - What psychedelic patterns became popular in fashion during the late 1960s?
Answer: Tie-dye - Which cosmetic trend, characterized by heavy eye makeup, was popular in the 1960s?
Answer: Cat eye makeup - What hairstyle, worn by Jacqueline Kennedy, became popular in the early 1960s?
Answer: Bouffant - Which toy, consisting of two plastic balls on a string, became popular in 1969?
Answer: Clackers - What footwear style became popular with mod fashion in the 1960s?
Answer: Go-go boots - Which British photographer became famous for his images of 1960s celebrities?
Answer: David Bailey - What style of men’s pants, with flared bottoms, became popular in the late 1960s?
Answer: Bell-bottoms - What was the name of the counter-culture movement that originated in San Francisco?
Answer: Hippie movement - Which British model was one of the first international supermodels?
Answer: Jean Shrimpton - What hair accessory became popular with the rise of hippie fashion?
Answer: Headbands - Which fashion designer popularized the “paper dress” in the mid-1960s?
Answer: Scott Paper Company - What term described the blend of traditional Indian and Western fashion elements?
Answer: Indo-Western fashion
If you’re looking for more conversation starters that’ll get people talking, check out our interesting topics to talk about for engaging discussions!
Space and Science Trivia Questions
The Space Race defined much of the scientific advancement in the 1960s, along with incredible breakthroughs in medicine, computing, and other fields. These questions explore the wonder and excitement of scientific discovery during this remarkable decade. I’m always amazed at how much was accomplished with technology that’s primitive by today’s standards!
- Who was the first human to travel in space?
Answer: Yuri Gagarin - What was the name of the first American to orbit the Earth?
Answer: John Glenn - Who were the first humans to walk on the Moon?
Answer: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin - What was the name of the first satellite launched by the United States in 1958?
Answer: Explorer 1 - What historic space mission launched on July 16, 1969?
Answer: Apollo 11 - In what year did the USSR launch the first woman into space?
Answer: 1963 - What was the first message transmitted via satellite in 1962?
Answer: “God Save the Queen” - What disease was effectively eradicated in the United States by 1967?
Answer: Polio - What significant computing device was introduced by IBM in 1964?
Answer: System/360 mainframe computer - What was the name of the first artificial heart valve, widely used by the mid-1960s?
Answer: Starr-Edwards valve - What was the name of the first commercial communications satellite?
Answer: Telstar - Which NASA mission suffered a near-catastrophic explosion in 1970?
Answer: Apollo 13 - What controversial book about environmental pollution was published in 1962?
Answer: “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson - Who invented the first working laser in 1960?
Answer: Theodore Maiman - What was the first successful human heart transplant performed in 1967?
Answer: Performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard - What scientific theory explaining continental movement gained acceptance in the 1960s?
Answer: Plate tectonics - What animal was cloned for the first time in 1963?
Answer: A toad - Which theoretical physicist proposed the concept of black holes in the 1960s?
Answer: Stephen Hawking - What astronomical object was first discovered by radio astronomers in 1967?
Answer: Pulsars - What environmental disaster occurred in Santa Barbara, California in 1969?
Answer: Santa Barbara oil spill
For more fascinating questions about our universe, check out our space trivia questions and answers collection!
Why 1960s Trivia is Perfect for Any Gathering
The 1960s was a decade that fundamentally changed our world. It’s not just entertaining to revisit this era through trivia, but it’s also incredibly educational for younger generations who didn’t live through it.
I’ve found that ’60s trivia works perfectly at family gatherings where you have multiple generations. My parents light up when they hear questions about music they grew up with, while my kids are genuinely surprised by how many cultural touchstones from that era they recognize!
Plus, there’s something about the ’60s that still feels relevant today. Many of the social movements, technological advancements, and artistic expressions from that time continue to influence our world. It’s like taking a fun little history lesson without feeling like you’re back in school!
Final Thoughts
Wow! Diving into 1960s trivia really brings back what an incredible decade it was – full of cultural revolutions, scientific breakthroughs, and artistic explosions that continue to influence our world today. Whether you grew up during this fascinating era or are just discovering its richness, these questions offer a fun way to connect with this pivotal time in history.
I hope you enjoyed testing your knowledge with these questions! They’re perfect for your next party, family gathering, road trip, or just a fun night in. My family has had so many laughs and “I didn’t know that!” moments using these questions.
How did you do? Were you surprised by any of the answers? I’d love to know which category you scored best in! For me, it’s always the music questions – I grew up listening to my parents’ record collection, so the Beatles and Rolling Stones questions are usually gimmes!
If you enjoyed this trivia journey through the 1960s, be sure to check out our other trivia collections covering everything from movies to history to science. Happy trivia hunting!