What Happened on October 21, 1964

Historical Events

World Record

Abebe Bikila of Ethiopia runs a world record 2:12:11.2 to beat Briton Basil Heatley by more than 4 minutes and win the men's marathon at the Tokyo Olympics; first athlete to win Olympic marathon twice

  • American men's 4×400m relay team beats Great Britain by 0.9s to set world record 3:00.7 and win the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics; Ollan Cassell, Mike Larrabee, Ulis Williams & Henry Carr

My Fair Lady

Film version of "My Fair Lady" directed by George Cukor, and starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn, premieres in New York (Academy Awards Best Picture 1965)

  • MLB Milwaukee Braves ask NL to allow them to move to Atlanta, Georgia
  • New Zealand athlete Peter Snell wins the 1,500m at the Tokyo Olympics; his second gold medal of the Games (800m); 3rd career gold
  • Polish 4×100m women's relay team runs a world record 43.6 to beat the US by 0.3s and win the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics; Teresa Ciepły, Irena Kirszenstein, Halina Górecka & Ewa Kłobukowska

Event of Interest

Society Hill Towers, a complex of three 31-story skyscrapers designed by I. M. Pei and Associates, inaugurated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • US 4 x 100m men's relay team of Paul Drayton, Gerry Ashworth, Richard Stebbins & Bob Hayes run world record 39.0s to beat Poland by 0.3s and win the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics

Famous Birthdays

  • Jon Carin, American session and touring keyboardist and guitar player (Pink Floyd; The Who), and producer, born in New York, New York

About October 21, 1964

Day of the Week: Wednesday
How Long Ago? 59 years, 6 months and 8 days
Leap Year: Yes

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
Star Sign: Libra

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann
  • UK #1 Song: (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me - Sandie Shaw