The Profumo affair was a major scandal in British politics during the early 1960s. John Profumo, the 46-year-old Secretary of State for War in Harold Macmillan's Conservative government, had an extramarital affair with the 19-year-old model Christine Keeler beginning in 1961. Profumo denied the affair in a statement to the House of Commons in 1963; weeks later, a police investigation proved that he had lied. The scandal severely damaged the credibility of Macmillan's government, and Macmillan resigned as Prime Minister in October 1963, citing ill health.
British House of Commons debates Profumo-Christine Keeler affair
The Profumo affair was a major scandal in British politics during the early 1960s.
Historical Significance
The Profumo affair was a major scandal in British politics during the early 1960s.
Events Before
Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance
Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance
John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7
John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, astronaut, businessman, and politician.
Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors
Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors' 169-147 win over the NY Knicks in Hershey; 36-of-63 from the field, 28-of-32 from the free-throw line
Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter
Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter
Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record
Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record
Events After
First government report by US Surgeon General Luther Terry warning that smoking may be hazardous
First government report by US Surgeon General Luther Terry warning that smoking may be hazardous
American MLB baseball player Pete Rose (22) weds first wife Karolyn Englehardt; divorce in 1980
American MLB baseball player Pete Rose (22) weds first wife Karolyn Englehardt; divorce in 1980
"Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", political satire film directed by Stanley Kubric
"Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", political satire film directed by Stanley Kubrick, and starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, premieres
First appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television v
First appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television viewers
Billy Rose and Joyce Mathews divorce again
Billy Rose (born William Samuel Rosenberg; September 6, 1899 – February 10, 1966) was an American impresario, theatrical showman, lyricist and columnist.
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 June 17, 1963?
- The Profumo affair was a major scandal in British politics during the early 1960s. John Profumo, the 46-year-old Secretary of State for War in Harold Macmillan's Conservative government, had an extramarital affair with the 19-year-old model Christine Keeler beginning in 1961. Profumo denied the affair in a statement to the House of Commons in 1963; weeks later, a police investigation proved that he had lied.
- Why is British House of Commons debates Profumo-Christine Keeler affair significant?
- The Profumo affair was a major scandal in British politics during the early 1960s.