A Slice of 1963

November 22nd, 1963, 35th President, John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas while riding in an open motorcade. What was life like in 1963?

The big question in 1963 was, just like with a lot of monumental events, including the recent tragedy in Paris and a few years ago on 9/11, "Where were you" when it happened. I'm sure you know exactly where you were and what you were doing and will never forget the moment you heard the news. What was life like 52 years ago, when the President was assassinated?

The average annual income in 1963 was $5,623. Minimum wage was $1.25! A gallon of gas cost a quarter; a postage stamp cost a nickel; a phone call from a pay phone was a dime. Touchtone telephones are introduced.

Dick Clark moved to California as American Bandstand moves to airing once a week, on Saturday. My Favorite Martian, The Fugitive, and The Outer Limits all debut on television. Six-year-old Donny Osmond makes his first appearance on The Andy Williams Show. The first James Bond film, Dr. No premieres in theaters. It is followed by From Russia, With Love.

The Four Seasons were on the radio with Walk Like A Man; Bobby Vinton had Blue Velvet; The Angels had My Boyfriend's Back and The Singing Nun was big with Dominique. FM Radio becomes available in cars.

Not only did the President and his alleged assassin die, but so did Patsy Cline and writer Robert Frost. Born in 1963: Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Whitney Houston, Michael Jordan, Helen Hunt, Conan O'Brien and cartoon character Pebbles Flintstone.

At the end of the year, Congress authorized the Kennedy half dollar.