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Events on Thursday 31 December 1964 12
1946 – 1964Childhood in Postwar GermanyGrew up in a Germany that refused to discuss the war or the Holocaust. Reading Anne Frank's diary as a young girl profoundly affected her, though her mother disapproved. 'I grew up with the evidence of destruction everywhere,' she later wrote, 'and with silence.'
1951 – 1964Brooklyn PolytechnicJoined the faculty of Brooklyn Polytechnic (now NYU Tandon) in New York, where he would develop Marcus theory. During one intense month in the mid-1950s, he worked out the key equations for electron transfer rates.
19641964: John SurteesFerrariSurtees remains the only person in history to win world championships on both two wheels and four, having previously won seven motorcycle grand prix titles.
1964Art Blakey ConcertReceived a ticket to see Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers perform live. The experience ignited a lifelong passion for jazz that would become a defining element of his literary voice.
1964Divorce and Second MarriageDivorced Xavier Cugat and married theatrical agent Perry Leff, whom she called the love of her life. They had two sons and remained married until his death in 2020.
1964Early Hollywood RolesMade her screen debut with small roles in films including Roustabout with Elvis Presley and A House Is Not a Home.
1964First Professional RoleMade his first credited appearance in a guest role on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation series Shoestring Theatre, marking the beginning of his professional career.
1964Marriage to Ann HolcombeMarried Ann Holcombe, who would later work as a preschool teacher in Newtown, Massachusetts. The couple would have three daughters.
1964Moved to the United StatesEmigrated to the United States to join The Denver Post as editorial cartoonist, replacing Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Conrad. His sharp, witty style immediately drew national attention.
1964Stage DebutMade her operatic stage debut as Yniold in Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande at the Bucharest Opera.
1964Tokyo OlympicsCompeted in sailing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, the first of three Olympic Games he would attend as an athlete. He sailed in the 5.5 Metre class.
1964Moved to NashvilleMoved to Nashville the day after graduating from Sevier County High School, becoming the first in her family to receive a high school diploma. She began writing songs for other artists, including the hit Put It Off Until Tomorrow for Bill Phillips.