Tag Archives: 1964

14 March 1964

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Jack Ruby is convicted of killing Lee Harvey Oswald, the assumed assassin of John F. Kennedy.

Jack Ruby, born Jacob Leon Rubenstein in 1911, was an American nightclub owner best known for fatally shooting Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, on November 24, 1963. Ruby carried out the killing in the basement of the Dallas Police Headquarters while Oswald was being transferred from city to county jail, an event broadcast live on television. His actions sparked numerous conspiracy theories regarding whether he was acting alone or as part of a larger plot. Ruby claimed he acted out of grief and patriotism, wanting to spare Jacqueline Kennedy the trauma of a trial. Convicted of murder in 1964 and sentenced to death, his conviction was later overturned on appeal due to procedural errors, but he died of lung cancer in 1967 before a new trial could take place. His role in Oswald’s death remains a subject of speculation and debate among historians and conspiracy theorists.

19 August 1964

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Syncom 3, the first geostationary communication satellite, is launched. Two months later, it would enable live coverage of the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Syncom 3 was a significant milestone in the history of space exploration and satellite technology. Launched by NASA on August 19, 1964, Syncom 3 was the world’s first geostationary communication satellite. It was part of the Syncom series, which were the first communications satellites placed in geostationary orbit, meaning they remained fixed relative to a point on the Earth’s surface, enabling continuous communication with a specific area.

Purpose: Syncom 3 was designed to provide television broadcast capabilities, particularly to cover the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, which was one of its first major uses. It also had the capacity for telephone and other communication services.

Geostationary Orbit: Syncom 3 was positioned over the equator at 180 degrees longitude, directly over the International Date Line. Being in geostationary orbit meant that it orbited the Earth at the same rate as the Earth’s rotation, allowing it to stay in a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface.

Technology: The satellite was equipped with a transponder capable of transmitting television signals and other communication data. Its successful operation demonstrated the feasibility of using geostationary satellites for global communications.

Impact: Syncom 3 played a critical role in advancing satellite communication technology. Its success paved the way for the development of more sophisticated communication satellites, leading to the modern global communications network.

Design: Syncom 3 was cylindrical, with a diameter of about 71 centimeters (28 inches) and a height of 39 centimeters (15 inches). It weighed 142 kilograms (about 313 pounds) at launch.

25 January 1964

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Blue Ribbon Sports, which would later become Nike, is founded by University of Oregon track and field athletes.

Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) was the original name of the company that eventually became Nike, one of the world’s most iconic and successful sportswear and athletic footwear companies. Blue Ribbon Sports was founded by Bill Bowerman, a track and field coach at the University of Oregon, and Phil Knight, one of his former athletes, in January 1964.

The company started as a distributor for the Japanese shoemaker Onitsuka Tiger (now ASICS). Knight and Bowerman began selling Onitsuka Tiger running shoes out of the trunk of Knight’s car at track meets. In 1964, they officially established Blue Ribbon Sports as a partnership.

The name “Blue Ribbon Sports” reflected the founders’ commitment to providing high-quality athletic footwear. As the business grew, the founders started designing their own athletic shoes, and in 1971, they decided to rebrand the company. The name Nike, inspired by the Greek winged goddess of victory, was chosen, and the iconic “swoosh” logo was created by graphic design student Carolyn Davidson.

The transition from Blue Ribbon Sports to Nike marked a significant turning point for the company. Nike continued to innovate in the athletic footwear industry, introducing new technologies and partnering with high-profile athletes. Over the years, Nike expanded its product line to include apparel and accessories, becoming a global leader in the sports and lifestyle market.