1964 was an eventful year -- a half-century ago, humans were
making strides toward space travel beyond the Earth's orbit, and Tokyo hosted
the 18th Summer Olympics. The Beatles took America by storm, as Race Riots
gripped big cities -- and the the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law.
Boxer Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali and the heavyweight champion of the
world. Cyprus devolved into civil war between Turks and Greeks, and President
Lyndon Johnson escalated U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. This is the first
of five entries focusing on events of the year 1964 this week (and next
Monday). Later entries will feature images from civil rights struggles in the
U.S., Beatlemania, Alaska's Good Friday earthquake, and the New York World's
Fair.