Fifty Years Ago This Month: April 1964

The New York Worlds Fair opened in April 1964.  I never got there, but I had a few postcards, and I remember collecting the Coke bottle caps that had pictures of the various pavillions under the cork seals.

The "Unisphere" was the centerpiece of the New York Worlds Fair in 1964 and 1965.


Music: 
The Beatles ended March with the top 4 songs on the US charts. They started April with the top 5:
1 - Can't Buy Me Love
2 - Twist and Shout
3 - She Loves You
4 - I Want to Hold Your Hand
5 - Please Please Me

("Can't Buy Me Love" and "Twist and Shout" would remain #1 and #2 for the entire month.)


Movies:
4/8 - From Russia With Love (starring Sean Connery as James Bond)
4/9 - The Carpetbaggers (starring George Peppard)


News: 
4/8 - NASA launches Gemini 1 unmanned capsule
4/10 - The Polo Grounds in New York City meets the wrecking ball.
4/17 - Shea Stadium (home of the New York Mets) opens.
4/22 - The New York Worlds Fair opens.

This was the New York Pavillion at the Worlds Fair. Like the Unisphere above, these towers remain today, and are visible in the opening credits of the TV show "The King of Queens". These towers were also featured in the movie "Men in Black", where Will Smith chased the giant bug climbing the towers.


Births: 
4/1 - Hockey player Scott Stevens
4/2 - Baseball player Pete Incaviglia
4/4 - Actor David Cross
4/7 - Actor Russell Crowe
4/9 - Hockey player Rick Tocchet
4/11 - Baseball player Bret Saberhagen
4/24 - Comedian Cedric the Entertainer
4/25 - Actor Hank Azaria
4/28 - Baseball player Barry Larkin


Deaths: 
4/5 - General Douglas MacArthur (age 84)