Jun 1
Sgt. Pepper's Released
The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was the first concept album, a cultural earthquake. The cover became iconic. 'A Day in the Life' was banned by the BBC.
🇬🇧United Kingdom · 60s
Summer of Love
Sgt. Pepper played, homosexuality was decriminalized, and the pound was devalued.
What happened
5 milestones of 1967
Jul 27
Sexual Offences Act
Homosexuality was partially decriminalized in England and Wales. Consenting adults over 21 in private were no longer criminals. It was a cautious reform, but it ended centuries of persecution.
LGBTQ+ rights — celebrate progress while noting the reform's limitations
Oct 27
Abortion Act
David Steel's Abortion Act legalized abortion under medical supervision up to 28 weeks. It ended the era of dangerous backstreet abortions that killed hundreds of women each year.
Reproductive rights — factual, acknowledge it remains debated
Nov 18
Devaluation of Sterling
Wilson devalued the pound from $2.80 to $2.40. He told the nation: 'The pound in your pocket has not been devalued.' Nobody believed him. The economic crisis undermined Labour's credibility.
Sep 30
BBC Radio 1 Launches
After outlawing pirate radio, the BBC launched Radio 1. Tony Blackburn played 'Flowers in the Rain' by The Move as the first record. Pop music finally had an official home.
What was playing
70% local · 30% international
What was in cinemas
Casino Royale
Various — Chaotic Bond spoof with Peter Sellers and everyone else. Very 1967.
Far from the Madding Crowd
John Schlesinger — Julie Christie in Hardy's Wessex. Beautiful and doomed.
To Sir, with Love
James Clavell — Sidney Poitier teaches East End kids. Lulu sang the theme.
You Only Live Twice
Lewis Gilbert — Bond in Japan. Connery's fifth outing.
Bedazzled
Stanley Donen — Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. Seven deadly sins as comedy.
What was on TV
BBC Radio 1
1967-present — Tony Blackburn's first record. Pop music finally on the BBC.
The Forsyte Saga
1967 — BBC serialized Galsworthy. 18 million watched. Churches rescheduled evensong.
Colour TV launches
Jul 1967 — BBC Two broadcast Wimbledon in colour — the first UK colour TV.
The Prisoner
1967-1968 — Patrick McGoohan. 'I am not a number!' Surreal, baffling, brilliant.
Our World
Jun 1967 — First worldwide satellite broadcast. Beatles performed 'All You Need Is Love' live to 400 million.
How much things cost
Currency: GBP
Pint of milk7d
Loaf of bread10d
Pint of bitter2s 1d
Average house£4,050
Gallon of petrol5s 4d
Sgt. Pepper LP32s 6d
Inflation: 2.5%
Devaluation hit confidence. The swinging sixties had an economic hangover. Inflation was low but the damage was psychological.
Then vs. Now
Inflation-adjusted values
Pint of milkONS
1967 (GBP)
7d
→
Today's value (£)
--
Loaf of breadONS
1967 (GBP)
10d
→
Today's value (£)
--
Pint of bitterBBPA
1967 (GBP)
2s 1d
→
Today's value (£)
--
Average houseONS
1967 (GBP)
£4,050
→
Today's value (£)
--
Gallon of petrolAA
1967 (GBP)
5s 4d
→
Today's value (£)
--
Sgt. Pepper LPMelody Maker
1967 (GBP)
32s 6d
→
Today's value (£)
--
Technology
Colour television
BBC Two broadcast in colour from July — Wimbledon was first.
Satellite broadcast
Our World: first live global TV link. 400 million watched.
Concorde prototype
Anglo-French supersonic jet unveiled at Toulouse.
Breathalyzer
Drink-driving laws introduced with the breathalyser test.
ATM
Barclays installed the world's first cash machine in Enfield, London.
Pop Culture
Fashion
Psychedelic fashion — kaftans, beads, paisleyFlower power and hippie style arriving from San FranciscoMini skirts coexisting with maxi-length bohemian dresses
Slang
Groovy— Fashionable, excellent
Far out— Amazing, mind-blowing
Flower power— Peace and love philosophy
Behavior
- Summer of Love: British hippies gathered in parks with flowers and music
- Social reform accelerated — abortion, homosexuality, the death penalty questioned
- Drug culture entered the mainstream — Mick Jagger arrested for cannabis
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