August 1960

Monday 01:

Communist PAI is banned in Senegal.

Wednesday 03:

Niger gains independence from France.

Friday 05:

Burkina Faso, then known as "Upper Volta", became independent from France

Saturday 06:

Cuban Revolution: In response to a United States embargo, Cuba nationalizes American and foreign-owned property in the nation.

Sunday 07:

Côte d'Ivoire becomes independent.

Thursday 11:

Chad declares independence

Friday 12:

Echo I, the first communications satellite, launched

Saturday 13:

The Central African Republic declares independence from France.

Monday 15:

Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) declares its independence from France

Tuesday 16:

Joseph Kittinger parachutes from a balloon over New Mexico at 102,800 feet (31,330 m). He sets unbeaten (as of 2003) world records for: high-altitude jump; free-fall by falling 16 miles (25.7 km) before opening his parachute; and fastest speed by a human without an aircraft, 614 mi/h (982 km/h).

Wednesday 17:

Gabon gains independence from France.

Friday 19:

1961 - The Australian public-affairs show Four Corners starts on the ABC.

Saturday 20:

Senegal breaks from the Mali federation, declaring independence.

Tuesday 23:

In Equatorial Guinea, the world's largest frog (3.3 kg) is caught.

Wednesday 24:

A temperature of −88°C (−127°F) is measured in Vostok, Antarctica — a world-record low.

Thursday 25:

Games of the XVII Olympiad open in Rome.