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The reference "1960–1964" typically denotes a four-year period in the early 1960s, a time marked by significant global events across politics, culture, and technology. This era followed the Cold War tensions of the late 1950s and preceded the escalation of conflicts like the Vietnam War. In the United States, the presidency of John F. Kennedy (1961–1963) introduced progressive policies, including the Peace Corps and early civil rights initiatives, though his administration faced challenges such as the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Kennedy’s assassination in November 1963 led to Lyndon B. Johnson taking office, who later championed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark legislation outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Internationally, the decade saw decolonization accelerate, with nations like Algeria gaining independence from France in 1962. The Soviet Union continued its space program, achieving milestones like the first human in orbit (Yuri Gagarin, 1961) and the first spacewalk (Alexei Leonov, 1965, though the suit was tested in 1964). Meanwhile, economic growth in Western Europe and Japan laid the foundation for their post-war recoveries.

Culturally, the era witnessed the rise of rock 'n' roll and British Invasion bands, while television became a dominant medium, influencing public discourse and entertainment. The early 1960s also marked the beginning of the counterculture movement, with early signs of protest against authority and social norms. Technologically, advancements in computing and telecommunications, such as the introduction of early personal computers and the expansion of telephone networks, began to reshape daily life. This period set the stage for the social and political upheavals of the late 1960s and early 1970s.