Here are some significant events that took place in the year 1960:

• The U-2 incident: Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 spy plane, leading to a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
• The Greensboro sit-ins: Four black college students began a nonviolent protest in Greensboro, North Carolina, siting at a whites-only lunch counter, sparking similar protests throughout the Southern United States.
• The Sharpeville massacre: South African police killed 69 black protesters during a demonstration against apartheid pass laws.
• John F. Kennedy wins the U.S Presidential Election: Kennedy defeated Vice President Richard Nixon to become the youngest ever elected U.S President.
• The Belgian Congo gains independence: The Republic of the Congo, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gained independence from Belgium.
• The birth control pill is approved: The FDA approved the first birth control pill, leading to a significant change in women's reproductive rights.
• The Summer Olympics in Rome: The XVII Summer Olympics took place in Rome, Italy, with a record number of participating countries and athletes.