James Ronald Ryun is an American former Republican politician and Olympic track and field athlete, who at his peak was widely considered the world's top middle-distance runner. He won a silver medal in the 1500 m at the 1968 Summer Olympics, and was the first high school athlete to run a mile in under four minutes. He is the last American to hold the world record in the mile run. Ryun later served in the United States House of Representatives from 1996 to 2007, representing Kansas's 2nd congressional district.
American athlete Jim Ryun sets World mile record (3:51.3) in Berkeley, California
James Ronald Ryun is an American former Republican politician and Olympic track and field athlete, who at his peak was widely considered the world's top middle-distance runner.
Historical Significance
James Ronald Ryun is an American former Republican politician and Olympic track and field athlete, who at his peak was widely considered the world's top middle-distance runner.
Events Before
49-year-old former England international soccer forward Stanley Matthews is the only player to be awarded a knighthood w
49-year-old former England international soccer forward Stanley Matthews is the only player to be awarded a knighthood while still playing for Stoke City
State funeral for Winston Churchill at St Paul's Cathedral in London; at the time, the world's largest-ever state funera
State funeral for Winston Churchill at St Paul's Cathedral in London; at the time, the world's largest-ever state funeral
Righteous Brothers' music single "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" hits #1
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" is a song by Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, first recorded in 1964 by the American vocal duo the Righteous Brothers.
One of the most popular musical films of all time, "The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer,
One of the most popular musical films of all time, "The Sound of Music," starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, premieres (Academy Award for Best Picture - 1966)
Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov leaves his spacecraft Voskhod 2 for 12 minutes and becomes the first person to conduct a
Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov leaves his spacecraft Voskhod 2 for 12 minutes and becomes the first person to conduct a spacewalk
Events After
François Pienaar is born
François Pienaar is born
AFL Championship, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo: Kansas City Chiefs beat Buffalo Bills, 31-7; QB Len Dawson passes for 2
AFL Championship, War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo: Kansas City Chiefs beat Buffalo Bills, 31-7; QB Len Dawson passes for 2 TDs, RB Mike Garrett runs for 2 TDs
Actor Lee Marvin (42) divorces Elizabeth Ebeling after 14 years of marriage
Actor Lee Marvin (42) divorces Elizabeth Ebeling after 14 years of marriage
Republican Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts takes his seat as the first African American popularly elected to the US Se
Republican Edward W. Brooke of Massachusetts takes his seat as the first African American popularly elected to the US Senate
Canadian actor Christopher Plummer (37) divorces second wife, British columnist Patricia Lewis after nearly 5 years of m
Canadian actor Christopher Plummer (37) divorces second wife, British columnist Patricia Lewis after nearly 5 years of marriage
More from the 1960s
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
NASA's Apollo 11 mission successfully lands the first humans on the Moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first people to walk on the lunar surface.
space exploration
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech
Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, calling for an end to racism in the United States.
civil rightspolitics government
birth
Tommy Morrison is born
Tommy Morrison, American professional boxer, known for american boxer, was born on 1969-01-02.
birth
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on July 17, 1966?
- James Ronald Ryun is an American former Republican politician and Olympic track and field athlete, who at his peak was widely considered the world's top middle-distance runner. He won a silver medal in the 1500 m at the 1968 Summer Olympics, and was the first high school athlete to run a mile in under four minutes. He is the last American to hold the world record in the mile run.
- Why is American athlete Jim Ryun sets World mile record (3:51.3) in Berkeley, Califo... significant?
- James Ronald Ryun is an American former Republican politician and Olympic track and field athlete, who at his peak was widely considered the world's top middle-distance runner.