The sixties were a defining era for the world with it being one of the most tumultuous and divisive decades in history with Birmingham not being immune to the decade for counterculture.
It was the last time England won the World Cup and as England advances to the knock-out stage of the Euros, the nation is buzzing with anticipation and excitement, for a next grand win.
But the 60s was also a decade that defined many moments.
It was when The Beatles shot to fame, Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon and Martin Luther King Jr made his historic “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington to an audience of 250,000 people
In contrast to these milestone events the US increased their military authority in Vietnam, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and there was the threat of nuclear war between the US and Soviet Union after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
As Birmingham looked on, the city was starting to rapidly change in the post-war years with many still suffering from poverty. The city centre looks a lot different these days with New Street Station being completely rebuilt.
The car industry was key and celebrations for the millionth and two millionth minis made at Longbridge were held. There were protests about fluoride being put in our tap water and people travelled across the world to attend sports events at St Andrew’s, Villa Park and Edgbaston.
The following 35 pictures show snapshots of live in Birmingham in the defining decade of the 60s:
21. The millionth mini is made at Longbridge in 1965
5th February 1965: The millionth mini car comes off the British Motor Corporation production line at Birmingham. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) | Getty Images
22. Boxing great Henry Cooper at St Andrew’s in 1965
British heavyweight boxer Henry Cooper (1934 - 2011) after beating Johnny Prescott to retain the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles at St Andrew’s Stadium in Birmingham, 15th June 1965. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images
23. Dinner time in Birmingham in 1965
circa 1965: A family sit down to their evening meal in Birmingham. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) | Getty Images
24. Birmingham city centre Inner Ring Road in 1965
A view of the down new Inner Ring Road showing the new Albany Hotel in Birmingham, England. March 31, 1965.(Photo by Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images