Events of the 1960s Guesstimania

The 1960s, much like the youth of many 2+2ers, was a long time ago. Remember when the Beatles landed on the moon?

Oh wait, you probably don't. I mean I don't, because I wasn't even alive and I'm pretty old.

Anyway, we haven't had a guesstimania for a while, so here you go. The object of the game is guess the answer, or since that is exceptionally difficult to do with precision, to be as accurate as possible. Closer answers score better, and a champion guesser will be crowned at the end.

NO RESEARCH. Game integrity requires no research.

To enter, just send me a PM with your answers, one answer per line. You can number them or not, it does not matter.

Reveal is tentatively planned for two weeks from today, December 29, likely in the afternoon. I reserve the right to move it if holiday things happen or if entries are low and slow.

Here are your questions and good luck!

Question 1: The 1960 U.S Presidential election pitted John F. Kennedy versus Richard M. Nixon (hi Kioshk!) A total of 68,832,482 votes were cast, with Kennedy receiving 303 votes in the electoral college to Nixon’s 219. Of those 68 million-plus popular votes, how many were cast for Nixon?

Question 2: Construction on the Berlin Wall commenced on August 13, 1961. Prior to that date, how many East Germans are believed to have left the country in order to escape the DDR?

Question 3: The Cuban Missile Crisis dominated the headlines in 1962, when the Soviet Union was discovered to be placing nuclear missiles on the island, well within reach. At the time, how many total nuclear warheads were contained within the entire Soviet inventory?

Question 4: British Kenya became an independent country on December 12, 1963, but retained Queen Elizabeth II as monarch. The short-lived state threw off the remaining shackles of colonialism and became a republic one year later. What was the population of Kenya in 1963, according to estimates prepared by the United Nations?

Question 5: On February 7, 1964 the Beatles landed at JFK airport in NYC for their first visit to America. They were greeted by a large number of screaming fans. During their first interview in the states there was this memorable exchange:

Q: In Detroit Michigan, there handing out car stickers saying, ‘Stamp Out The Beatles.’

Paul: Yeah well… first of all, we’re bringing out a ‘Stamp Out Detroit’ campaign.

Detroit was not stamped out. Instead, two days later, on February 9, the Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. How many viewers tuned in to watch?

Question 6: On March 8, 1965, some 3,500 United States Marines arrived in Da Nang, South Vietnam, becoming the first American ground combat troops in Vietnam. Between August 1964 and February 1973, roughly the beginning and end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, how many American men were conscripted (drafted) into military service?

Question 7: How many guitar pickers are there in Nashville, at least according to John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful in their 1966 song “Nashville Cats”? (An additional fact which may or may not be helpful, according to Sebastian there are 16,821 mothers from Nashville).

Question 8: Sweden changed from driving on the left side of the road to the right on September 3, 1967. That meant they had to change traffic signs throughout the country. How many signs had to be changed?

Question 9: In 1968, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson had one of the most impressive seasons in the history of Major League Baseball, despite the fact that his team lost to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. Starting 34 games, Gibson posted a 22-9 record and a 1.12 earned run average. Among other statistics, Gibson led the league in strikeouts. How many strikeouts did he have for the season?

Question 10: On July 20, 1969, the Apollo 11 mission landed the first man on the moon (Allegedly!). From the time of the launch of the spacecraft via Saturn V rocket in Florida until splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on return, how many hours did the entire mission last?