On 25 February 1964 in Miami Beach, 22-year-old Cassius Clay, a 7-to-1 underdog, taunted the world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston, who was feared as a destroyer, and stunned him by his speed. Liston, with a hurt shoulder, did not answer the bell for the seventh round. Clay shouted, 'I shook up the world!' and the next day announced that he was a member of the Nation of Islam, and soon took the name Muhammad Ali. His refusal to be drafted for the Vietnam War in 1967 cost him his title and three years of his career, but made him a symbol for many. He regained the title in 1974 and 1978.
Before and after
- 25 January 1964Founding of Nike
- 9 February 1964The Beatles appear on The Ed Sullivan Show
- 11 February 1964Birth of Sarah Palin
- 19 February 1964Birth of Jennifer Doudna
- 25 February 1964Muhammad Ali beats Sonny Liston
- 9 March 1964Birth of Juliette Binoche
- 7 April 1964Birth of Russell Crowe
- 20 May 1964Cosmic microwave background
- 27 May 1964Death of Jawaharlal Nehru
More in Society, economy & sport
- 24 October 1945Founding of United Nations Security Council
- 5 May 1949Founding of Council of Europe
- 1952Founding of European Parliament
- 15 June 1954Founding of Union of European Football Associations
- 1985Introduction of new shekel
- 1990Rise of K-pop
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.