Note: This was originally written in 2024. I’m reposting here to commemorate my 62nd trip around the sun.
1964 was a most excellent year.
1964 saw the birth of my good friends John Wick, Aunt May, Miss Congeniality, and General Maximus Decimus Meridius (“Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next!”). All of these good folks turned 60 this year.
The venerable Ford Mustang premiered at the Worlds’ Fair in 1964, marking the beginning of Americas’ love affair with the muscle car, and making possible the greatest car chase scene in history (thank you, Steve McQueen).
The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, which he accepted in Oslo, Norway – “I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. “And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.” I still believe that we shall overcome!”
The Federal Government actually got a few things right and passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and finally stood up to big tobacco and admitted that cigarette smoking was linked to lung cancer.
The British invaded America in 1964, with the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The Beatles dominated the charts in 1964 with nine songs in the Billboard Hot 100, and six number one songs, still the most of any act in a single year. “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love Me Do,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” and “I Feel Fine,” all hit number one from February to December. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” was the most popular song of the year. More significant than their hit songs, however, was the Beatles contribution to the art of sarcasm; when asked by a reporter “Tell me, how did you find America?” their response was, “Turn left at Greenland.”
In 1964 “Fiddler on the Roof” – based on Sholem Aleichem’s “Tevye the Milkman” – premiered on Broadway. The musical eventually went on to win 9 Tony Awards, became the first musical to surpass 3,000 performances, and posed the eternal question… “Would it spoil some vast eternal plan, if I were a wealthy man?” I mean, really, would it?
The space race was in full swing in 1964. Mariner 4 launched, destined for a fly-by mission to Mars. Gemini I also launched, a major milestone in the path to manned lunar missions. This test flight proved out the structural integrity of the Titan II launch vehicle, the Gemini spacecraft, and the ability to put the spacecraft into the proper orbit. This was a pivotal moment that enabled the eventual moon landing in 1969. But, keep this to yourself, we don’t want to upset anyone who still thinks the moon landing was a hoax.
Back on earth, the worlds largest truck stop opened along I-80 in Iowa. The truck stop boasts multiple restaurants, shops, its own museum, and showers for both you and your dog. Those are separate showers, just to be clear. Iowa 80 opened in 1964 and – unlike myself – has been operating continuously ever since.
“Jonny Quest” premiered in the fall of 1964, giving adventure minded children something to do during the long winter months. Jonny and Hadji provided tutelage in snarky responses before snark was a thing. One of my favorites; Jonny: “We have a proverb in my country, Hadji, seeing is believing.” Hadji: “We have that one in mine too. I’m from Missouri.” Fun fact, 10-year-old Jonny was voiced by 17-year-old Tim Matheson, in one of his earliest roles.
Also setting sail in 1964 was “Gilligan’s Island.” A three-hour cruise that spanned 3-years and 90+ episodes, and had thousands of boys and young men pondering the question; Ginger or Mary Ann? (Mary Ann, obviously). Unfortunately, my mother missed the cultural milestone of the first episode since she was in the hospital having me. Sorry, ma.
Those born in 1964 were the last to be considered part of the post-war Baby Boom generation. As a good friend recently reminded me, according to the handbook, 60 is officially old.
So, here we are 60 (gulp) years later. Now that I’m here, on the cusp of my seventh decade on this rock, pondering my mortality, reminiscing on the past, contemplating the future, I’m wondering; do I have anything to say? I’ll say this… I’ve had me a time. I’ve been blessed beyond measure, with new grace and mercy every day.
And, I’ll say three things that I think on every single day…
From my Father: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
From my Dad: “Learn something new every day.”
From me: “In a world steeped in lies, evil and ugliness, be relentless in your pursuit of what is true, and good, and beautiful.”
Cheers to the next 60.
P.A. Tennant – September, 2024
Soli Deo Gloria
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Photo: Motor Trend, iMDB, Playbill, Smithsonian, Chicago Tribune, Nobel Institute, NASA, JPL, Iowa 80 Truckstop
Copyright 2026 Paul A. Tennant
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Website: https://patennant.com/
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