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Important Events in Business and the Economy, 1960-1969

1960

  • The American farm population is 15.6 million or 8.7 percent of the total U.S. population.
  • Defense spending and veterans' benefits account for nearly $50 billion or 56 percent of the federal budget and 10 percent of the Gross National Product (GNP).
  • Lillian Vernon publishes their first mail-order catalogue.
  • The median family income (in 1971 dollars) is $7,688.
  • The per-capita national debt stands at $1,582.
  • The U.S. automobile industry begins to shift to compact cars in response to falling sales and increased foreign imports.
  • U.S. businesses spend $1 billion on computers.
  • U.S. advertisers spend $1.6 billion on television commercials.
  • In January, African Americans are ΒΌ of United Auto Workers members.
  • On January 1, U.S. consumer debt totals $56 billion.
  • On January 1, women make only 60 percent the income of men.
  • On January 4,...

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