January 1964

Wednesday 01:

The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is divided into the independent republics of Zambia and Malawi, and the British-controlled Rhodesia.

Sunday 05:

Pope Paul VI meets the Greek patriarch Athenagoras I in Jerusalem, the first meeting of Catholic and Orthodox Christianity leaders since 1439.

Wednesday 08:

President Lyndon B. Johnson declares a "War on Poverty" in the United States.

Thursday 09:

Several Panamanian youths put up the Panamanian flag, and are fired on from the Canal Zone, setting off four days of anti-imperialist insurrection around the country.

Saturday 11:

United States Surgeon General Luther Leonidas Terry reports smoking may be hazardous to health. First such statement from US government.

Sunday 12:

Rebels in Zanzibar begin a revolt and later proclaim a republic.

Thursday 16:

The first musical version of Hello, Dolly! opens at New York City's St. James Theatre.

Saturday 18:

The Beatles appear on the Billboard magazine charts for the first time.

Monday 20:

Meet the Beatles, the first Beatles album in the United States, is released.

Wednesday 22:

Mumbai's lowest ever temperature recorded (7.4°C).

Thursday 23:

The 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution, prohibiting the use of poll taxes in national elections, is ratified.

Wednesday 29:

1964 Winter Olympic Games open in Innsbruck, Austria.

Thursday 30:

Ranger 6 is launched by NASA. Its mission is to carry television cameras and to crash-land on the moon.