The Cleveland Cavaliers have an opportunity Sunday evening to bring a sports title back to the downtrodden city for the first time since December of 1964 when Jim Brown led the Browns to the NFL championship.
What was going on the last time Cleveland saw one of its teams win the title? Here’s a look at America and the world in 1964.
The first Ford Mustang debuts
The now iconic Ford Mustang was released to the mainstream for the first time, going for a cool $2,368. It’s now going for $35,000 on the secondary market.
Average cost of a new home: $13,000.00
The median home now goes for over $350,000. That’s an increase of $337,000 from 52 years ago. Though, it must be noted that the average annual salary in the United States was just $4,560 in 1964. It stands at over $50,000 today.
Warren Commission concludes Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassination of President Kennedy
Conspiracy theorists will point to this finding as a pivotal moment in American history. A time when the government covered up who were really behind the tragic killing of John F. Kennedy. It’s a debate that still rages today.
The Rolling Stones release first album
Think about this one for a second. Lead singer Keith Richards is now 72 years old. Insane.
U.S. Congress authorizes war against North Vietnam
The American Government officially declared war in Vietnam, continuing one of the most horrendous wars in the history of this nation
“Mary Poppins” debuts
Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews were amazing in this cult hit. Now, 52 years later, Hollywood is planning a remake of the classic.
Riot during soccer match between Peru and Argentina kills 300
This puts what’s happening in Europe during the most recent continent-wide tourney into context. During a qualifier for the Summer Olympics that year, a referee’s call led to the mayhem. It’s the second-largest soccer-related death toll in world history, only bested by a 1982 riot in Moscow, Russia.
Buffalo Bills win AFL title
In just their fifth year of existence, Buffalo defeated the San Diego Chargers in the championship game of the now defunct American Football League.
Cookie Gilchrist led Buffalo’s charge on the ground with 122 years while future U.S. Congressman Jack Kemp tallied 188 yards through the air in the 20-7 win at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, New York.
Sony introduces first VCR
Those born after 1995 likely don’t even remember when the video cassette was popular. Such is the nature of the beast in a technologically-driven world. The Korean drama “The Young Teacher” would end up being the first movie sold on video cassette format in 1976, selling for over $200.00.
Civil Rights Act signed into law by President Johnson
Johnson made this his primary goal after assuming office following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. After less than two years in office, this historic piece of legislation was signed into law.
Computer mouse invented
Just look at it.
The Beatles hold the top five spots on the Billboard Top 100
From “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You” to “A Hard Day’s Night,” the British Invasion was in full force back in 1964. Sadly, just Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney remain alive from this fab-foursome.
Lyndon Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater in U.S. Presidential election
Goldwater didn’t stand any sort of chance here, losing the electoral college by a total of 486-52. He carried just six states.
Though, President Johnson’s proclamation that the Democrats would lose the south for generations following the Civil Rights Act came to fruition. Five of the six states Goldwater won were in the south.
Bill Russell leads the Boston Celtics to the NBA title
Russell led the Celtics to their seventh title under his watch in a season that represented the sixth of eight consecutive NBA championships. Boston won the Finals against the then San Francisco Warriors four games to one.