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==Events==
==Events==
* The first senior class at [[Banks High School]] graduated.
* The first senior class at [[Banks High School]] graduated.
* The [[117th Air Refueling Wing|117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group]] was activated during the Berlin Crisis.
* [[Sun Ra]] moved his Arkestra from Chicago to New York City.
* [[Sun Ra]] moved his Arkestra from Chicago to New York City.
* [[Dorothy Love Coates]] reformed the [[Gospel Harmonettes]].
* [[Dorothy Love Coates]] reformed the [[Gospel Harmonettes]].
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* [[Ben Morton]] donated a group of Tang dynasty ceramics to the [[Birmingham Museum of Art Asian collection]].
* [[Ben Morton]] donated a group of Tang dynasty ceramics to the [[Birmingham Museum of Art Asian collection]].
* A [[1961 Birmingham comprehensive plan]] called for massive redevelopment of the [[City Center]] with elevated pedestrian skyways.
* A [[1961 Birmingham comprehensive plan]] called for massive redevelopment of the [[City Center]] with elevated pedestrian skyways.
 
* [[June Wetzel]]'s "Miss Midnight" radio program debuted on [[WSGN-AM]].
* [[February 8]]: The [[Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company]] closed its [[Docena]] mine.
* [[February 8]]: The [[Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company]] closed its [[Docena]] mine.
* [[February 20]]: Floodwaters engulfed areas of [[Mountaindale]] in [[Crestline]]
* [[February 20]]: Floodwaters engulfed areas of [[Mountaindale]] in [[Crestline]]
* [[May 30]]: [[1961 Birmingham mayoral election]]: [[Art Hanes]] defeated [[Tom King]] and succeeded [[Jimmy Morgan]] as [[Mayor of Birmingham|President]] of the [[Birmingham City Commission]].
* [[Woodlawn Elementary School]] closed.
* [[Woodlawn Elementary School]] closed.
* [[July 8]]: The [[20th Special Forces Group]] was organized at the [[Homewood National Guard Armory]].
* [[August 11]]: Phantini the Mentalist drove [[List of Birmingham police chiefs|police chief]] [[Jamie Moore]] and [[Mayor of Birmingham|Mayor-elect]] [[Art Hanes]] from [[Birmingham City Hall]] to the [[Thomas Jefferson Hotel]] while wearing a blindfold.
* [[August 11]]: Phantini the Mentalist drove [[List of Birmingham police chiefs|police chief]] [[Jamie Moore]] and [[Mayor of Birmingham|Mayor-elect]] [[Art Hanes]] from [[Birmingham City Hall]] to the [[Thomas Jefferson Hotel]] while wearing a blindfold.
* August: the first [[Ball of Roses]] was held at the [[Country Club of Birmingham]].
* August: the first [[Ball of Roses]] was held at the [[Country Club of Birmingham]].
* October: A group of pilots from the [[117th Air Refueling Wing|106th Bomb Squadron (Light)]] participated covertly in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.
* October: [[1961 Alabama State Fair]]
* October: [[1961 Alabama State Fair]]
* [[November 11]]: [[Jones Valley High School]] was destroyed by arson.
* [[November 11]]: [[Jones Valley High School]] was destroyed by arson.
* [[December 25]]: [[List of snowfalls|Light snow flurries]] fell on Birmingham at Christmas.
* [[December 25]]: [[List of snowfalls|Light snow flurries]] fell on Birmingham at Christmas.
===Government===
* The [[117th Air Refueling Wing|117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group]] was activated during the Berlin Crisis.
* [[May 2]]: The [[1961 Birmingham mayoral election]] was held.
* May 2: Residents of [[Edgemont Hills]] voted to be annexed into [[Homewood]].
* [[May 30]]: The runoff for the [[1961 Birmingham mayoral election]] was held.
* [[July 8]]: The [[20th Special Forces Group]] was organized at the [[Homewood National Guard Armory]].
* [[October 5]]: President John Kennedy appointed [[Walter Gewin]] to the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit]].
* October: A group of pilots from the [[117th Air Refueling Wing|106th Bomb Squadron (Light)]] participated covertly in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.


===Civil Rights Movement===
===Civil Rights Movement===
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* [[August 1]]: [[ACMHR]] founder [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] moved his family to Cincinnati, Ohio.
* [[August 1]]: [[ACMHR]] founder [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] moved his family to Cincinnati, Ohio.
* [[September 23]]: The Interstate Commerce Commission issued rules prohibiting segregation of interstate passengers, effective [[November 1]].
* [[September 23]]: The Interstate Commerce Commission issued rules prohibiting segregation of interstate passengers, effective [[November 1]].
* [[October 24]]: Judge [[Harlan Grooms]] ruled that [[List of Birmingham parks|Birmingham parks]] must be integrated. Rather than comply with the order, the [[Birmingham City Commission]] closed all parks.
* [[October 24]]: Judge [[Hobart Grooms]] ruled that [[List of Birmingham parks|Birmingham parks]] must be integrated. Rather than comply with the order, the [[Birmingham City Commission]] closed all parks.
* December: [[Frank Dukes]] drafted a statement, "[[This We Believe]]", signed by hundred of [[Miles College]] students.
* December: [[Frank Dukes]] drafted a statement, "[[This We Believe]]", signed by hundred of [[Miles College]] students.


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* The [[Newhouse Broadcasting Corporation]] purchased [[WAPI-AM]].
* The [[Newhouse Broadcasting Corporation]] purchased [[WAPI-AM]].
* [[Bromberg's]] acquired Montgomery's Ruth & Sons Jewelers.
* [[Bromberg's]] acquired Montgomery's Ruth & Sons Jewelers.
* [[Ingalls Iron Works]] sold its shipyard business to Litton Industries.
* [[Davis Architects|Van Keuren, Davis and Company]] became [[Davis Architects|Davis Speake & Thrasher]] architects.
* [[Davis Architects|Van Keuren, Davis and Company]] became [[Davis Architects|Davis Speake & Thrasher]] architects.
* Architects [[Mims and Gaunt|Pembleton and Mims]] became [[Mims and Gaunt]].
* Architects [[Mims and Gaunt|Pembleton and Mims]] became [[Mims and Gaunt]].
* The architecture firm of [[Poole, Pardue and Morrison]] was formed.
* The architecture firm of [[Poole, Pardue and Morrison]] was formed.
* Architect [[David O. Whilldin]] retired from practice.
* [[Kenneth Daniel]] was promoted to executive vice-president at [[ACIPCO]].
* [[Kenneth Daniel]] was promoted to executive vice-president at [[ACIPCO]].
* [[WJLD-AM]] was upgraded to 1000 watts in the daytime and 250 at night.
* [[WJLD-AM]] was upgraded to 1000 watts in the daytime and 250 at night.
* [[Birmingham View Company]], one of the city's first professional photography studios, closed.
* [[Krown Kredit]] opened on [[3rd Avenue North]]
* [[Krown Kredit]] opened on [[3rd Avenue North]]
* [[Holland House]] restaurant took over the former [[Michael's|Michael's-in-the-Mall]] location at [[Eastwood Mall]].
* [[Holland House]] restaurant took over the former [[Michael's|Michael's-in-the-Mall]] location at [[Eastwood Mall]].
====Disestablishments====
* [[Birmingham View Company]], one of the city's first professional photography studios, closed.
* The [[Dixie Fire Brick Co.]] folded.
* Architect [[David O. Whilldin]] retired from practice.
* [[Ingalls Iron Works]] sold its shipyard business to Litton Industries.
* The weekly 15-minute [[Mr. Twister Time]] on [[WBRC 6]] went off the air.


=== Religion ===
=== Religion ===
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* [[Ted Kubiak]] and [[Bert Campaneris]] signed with the Kansas City Athletics.
* [[Ted Kubiak]] and [[Bert Campaneris]] signed with the Kansas City Athletics.


==Works==
==Individuals==
* ''The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra'', album by [[Sun Ra]] and his Arkestra
* [[Wayne Rogers]] starred in ABC's ''Stagecoach West''.
* ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine was relaunched.
* Unidentified jazz album by Country swing star [[Hank Penny]]
* "Bozo the Clown" debuted on [[WBRC]] with [[Bart Darby]] as host.
* The [[Birmingham Grotto]] published its final edition of ''Cavea Novea''.
* "Oogsy-Moo"/"Locomotive" and "Are You Alright?" singles by [[The Premiers]]
* [[Betty Lou Gerson]] starred as Cruella De Vil in ''101 Dalmations''.
* [[Marion Worth]]'s single "I Think I Know" peaked at #7 on the country charts.
 
===Books===
* ''The Moviegoer'', National Book Award-winning novel by [[Walker Percy]].
* ''Revolutionary Road, National Book Award finalist by [[Richard Yates]].
 
===Buildings===
* [[March 13]]: [[Pizitz Roebuck Plaza]]
* [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 18]] in [[Pratt City]]
* [[Manoir Minette]] on [[Old Leeds Road]]
* A 9,000-seat upper deck was installed at [[Legion Field]].
* An F-86D SabreJet was installed on the roof of [[Banks High School]].
* [[Phillips High School]] gymnasium
* [[Tuxedo Terrace|Tuxedo Court]] housing project
* [[John Carroll Catholic High School]] athletic complex on [[Montclair Road]]
* [[Crow Building]] on [[6th Avenue North]]
* [[Newberry's]] renovations
* [[One Highland Place|Gulf Building]] at 2151 [[Highland Avenue]]
* [[Lewis Smith Dam]] on the [[Black Warrior River]] in [[Walker County]], forming [[Smith Lake]]
* [[Weiss Dam]] on the [[Coosa River]] in Cherokee County, forming [[Weiss Lake]]
* The 15-story [[Highland Manor|Sheraton Motor Inn]] on [[Highland Avenue]]
* The west-side stands were completed at [[Samford University]]'s [[Seibert Stadium]].
* New 4-story [[Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children|Children's Hospital]] at 1600 [[7th Avenue South]]
* Paved 1/4-mile track at the [[Birmingham International Raceway]]
* A second wing of [[Hayes High School]] was completed.
* [[Putnam Middle School|Putnam Elementary School]]
* [[W. J. Christian School]]
* [[Avondale Regional Library]] at [[Avondale Park]]
* [[Green Acres Baptist Church]] new sanctuary
* [[Greater Shiloh Baptist Church]] new sanctuary
* Central section of [[Mountain Brook Shopping Center]] with [[Britling Cafeteria|Britling By The Brook]] cafeteria
* [[Treadwell Barber Shop]]
* Modernization of [[Vaughan-Weil]], [[Krown Kredit]] and [[Epp's Jewelry]] storefronts on the 1800 block of [[3rd Avenue North]] ([[Block 72]])
* Addition to the [[Purcell Wing]] at [[Carraway Hospital]].
* Second addition to [[Roebuck Shopping Center]]
* [[Bowl-O-Bama]] bowling lanes at [[Roebuck Plaza Shopping Center]]
* Rectory at [[Sacred Heart Catholic Church]] in [[Cullman]]
* The [[Mabson Hotel]] at [[22nd Street North|22nd Street]] and [[3rd Avenue North]] was demolished for a parking lot
 
==People==
* [[Oliver Adams]] joined the [[Bessemer Police Department]].
* [[Oliver Adams]] joined the [[Bessemer Police Department]].
* [[Gene Bartow]] began his coaching career at Central Missouri State University.
* [[Gene Bartow]] began his coaching career at Central Missouri State University.
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* [[Martin Buerger]] succeeded [[Hans Reuter]] as Pastor of [[First Lutheran Church]].
* [[Martin Buerger]] succeeded [[Hans Reuter]] as Pastor of [[First Lutheran Church]].
* [[Alice Chalifoux]] succeeded Carlos Salzedo as director of the Salzedo Summer Harp Colony in Camden, Maine.
* [[Alice Chalifoux]] succeeded Carlos Salzedo as director of the Salzedo Summer Harp Colony in Camden, Maine.
* [[Bernard Feld, Jr]] succeeded [[Julian Aland]] as President of [[Temple Emanu-El]].
* [[Bernard Feld Jr]] succeeded [[Julian Aland]] as President of [[Temple Emanu-El]].
* [[Karl Friedman]] succeeded [[Sidney Ziff]] as President of [[Temple Beth-El]].
* [[Karl Friedman]] succeeded [[Sidney Ziff]] as President of [[Temple Beth-El]].
* [[Roland Frye]] was made a researcher in residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C.
* [[Roland Frye]] was made a researcher in residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C.
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* [[Basil Hirschowitz]] was naturalized as an American citizen.
* [[Basil Hirschowitz]] was naturalized as an American citizen.
* [[A. D. King]] became pastor of the [[First Baptist Church of Ensley]].
* [[A. D. King]] became pastor of the [[First Baptist Church of Ensley]].
* [[Martin Luther King, Jr]] dubbed [[Odetta]] the "Queen of American folk music"
* [[Martin Luther King Jr]] dubbed [[Odetta]] the "Queen of American folk music"
* [[Ida Moffett]] was appointed to the United States Surgeon General's Consulting Group on Nursing.
* [[Ida Moffett]] was appointed to the United States Surgeon General's Consulting Group on Nursing.
* [[Joe O'Donnell]] joined the staff of ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine.
* [[Joe O'Donnell]] joined the staff of ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine.
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* [[January 15]]: [[Jeremiah Castille]], NFL football player
* [[January 15]]: [[Jeremiah Castille]], NFL football player
* [[January 25]]: [[Claude Cotten]], artist and community volunteer
* [[January 25]]: [[Claude Cotten]], artist and community volunteer
* [[February 21]]: [[John Hilliard]], State representative and [[Birmingham City Council]] member
* [[February 25]]: [[Davey Allison]], NASCAR driver (died [[1993]])
* [[February 25]]: [[Davey Allison]], NASCAR driver (died [[1993]])
* [[March 6]]: [[Jeff Roberts]], photojournalist
* [[March 8]]: [[Sheila Tyson]], accountant and community activist
* [[March 8]]: [[Sheila Tyson]], accountant and community activist
* [[March 21]]: [[Titus Battle]], tutor
* [[April 4]]: [[Shane Corn]], blogger and radio personality
* [[April 4]]: [[Shane Corn]], blogger and radio personality
* [[April 12]]: [[Jimbo Wood]], radio personality
* [[April 12]]: [[Jimbo Wood]], radio personality
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* [[May 20]]: [[Brian Tribble]], singer and music minister
* [[May 20]]: [[Brian Tribble]], singer and music minister
* [[July 1]]: [[Carl Lewis]], Olympic track and field medalist
* [[July 1]]: [[Carl Lewis]], Olympic track and field medalist
* [[July 3]]: [[John Blaylock]], singer and songwriter
* [[July 23]]: [[Mike Durant]], Army aviator, businessman and U.S. Senate candidate
* [[July 28]]: [[Steven King]], former [[Blount County Circuit Court]] judge
* [[September 25]]: [[Allen Treadaway]], Alabama State Representative
* [[September 25]]: [[Allen Treadaway]], Alabama State Representative
* [[September 29]]: [[Eddie Phillips]], NBA basketball player
* [[September 29]]: [[Eddie Phillips]], NBA basketball player
* [[October 7]]: [[Kent Lipham]], actor
* [[October 9]]: Siberian tigers [[Ted]], [[Francis]], and [[Tamerlane]] were born at the [[Birmingham Zoo]].
* [[October 20]]: [[Mark Reynolds]], drummer  
* [[October 20]]: [[Mark Reynolds]], drummer  
* [[December 1]]: [[Herschell Hamilton]], founder of [[BLOC Global]]
* [[December 3]]: [[Mark Kelly]], ''[[Weld]]'' publisher
* [[December 28]]: [[Gene Chizik]], football coach
* [[December 28]]: [[Gene Chizik]], football coach
* [[December 30]]: [[Brian Glusman]], rabbi
* [[December 30]]: [[Brian Glusman]], rabbi
* [[Keith Aaron]], president of the [[Arlington-West End neighborhood]]
* [[Keith Aaron]], president of the [[Arlington-West End neighborhood]]
* [[Lynda Cardwell]], TV news anchor
* [[Gary Chapman]], artist and [[UAB]] professor
* [[Gary Chapman]], artist and [[UAB]] professor
* [[Will Cotchery]], basketball coach
* [[Will Cotchery]], basketball coach
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* [[Drew Mays]], ophthalmologist and Van Cliburn competition-winning pianist
* [[Drew Mays]], ophthalmologist and Van Cliburn competition-winning pianist
* [[Dave McDaniel]], radio host and sportscaster
* [[Dave McDaniel]], radio host and sportscaster
* [[Jeff Roberts]], photojournalist
* [[Bob Roller]], athletics director for [[Samford University]]
* [[Bob Roller]], athletics director for [[Samford University]]
* [[Leonard Smooth]], [[Miles College]] golf coach
* [[Angela Walker|Angela Tower Walker]], "[[Miss Alabama]]" 1985
* [[Janie Lee Wallace]], daughter of [[George Wallace|George]] and [[Lurleen Wallace]]
* [[Janie Lee Wallace]], daughter of [[George Wallace|George]] and [[Lurleen Wallace]]
* [[Stuart Whitehurst]], auctioneer and appraiser
* [[Stuart Whitehurst]], auctioneer and appraiser
* [[Chalethia Williams]], actor, director and educator
* [[Mark Wilson]], [[Jefferson County Health Officer]]
* [[Mark Wilson]], [[Jefferson County Health Officer]]


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* Engineer [[Garry Drummond]] earned his civil engineering degree at the [[University of Alabama]].
* Engineer [[Garry Drummond]] earned his civil engineering degree at the [[University of Alabama]].
* Historian [[Wayne Flynt]] graduated from [[Samford University]].
* Historian [[Wayne Flynt]] graduated from [[Samford University]].
* Architect [[Joseph Giattina, Jr]] earned his bachelor of architecture at the University of Notre Dame.
* Architect [[Joseph Giattina Jr]] earned his bachelor of architecture at the University of Notre Dame.
* Civil Rights leader [[James Orange]] graduated from [[Parker High School]].
* Civil Rights leader [[James Orange]] graduated from [[Parker High School]].
* Journalist [[Karl Seitz]] graduated high school in Troy, Pike County.
* Journalist [[Karl Seitz]] graduated high school in Troy, Pike County.
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===Deaths===
===Deaths===
* January: [[George Bender]], caterer and restaurant manager
* January: [[George Bender]], caterer and restaurant manager
* [[January 2]]: Architect [[John Davis]]
* [[April 10]]: Architect [[Harry Pembleton]]
* [[April 10]]: Architect [[Harry Pembleton]]
* [[June 30]]: Baseball player [[Dizzy Dismukes]]
* [[June 30]]: Baseball player [[Dizzy Dismukes]]
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* [[October 9]]: [[Richmond Beatty]], literary scholar and biographer
* [[October 9]]: [[Richmond Beatty]], literary scholar and biographer
* [[October 15]]: [[Joseph Zoettl]], creator of [[Ave Maria Grotto]]
* [[October 15]]: [[Joseph Zoettl]], creator of [[Ave Maria Grotto]]
* [[November 10]]: [[John Newsome]], former one-term congressman
* [[November 22]]: Shopkeeper [[Gus Jebeles (shopkeeper)|Gus Jebeles]]
* [[November 22]]: Shopkeeper [[Gus Jebeles (shopkeeper)|Gus Jebeles]]
* [[November 23]]: Playwright [[William Berney (playwright)|William Berney]]
* [[December 4]]: [[University of Alabama]] [[List of University of Alabama presidents|president]] [[John Gallalee]]
* [[December 4]]: [[University of Alabama]] [[List of University of Alabama presidents|president]] [[John Gallalee]]
* [[December 30]]: Coal mining and banking executive [[Walter Henley]]
* [[Miles College]] president [[William Bell (Miles College)|William Bell]]
* [[Miles College]] president [[William Bell (Miles College)|William Bell]]
:''See also: [[List of homicides in 1961]]''
:''See also: [[List of homicides in 1961]]''
==Works==
* ''The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra'', album by [[Sun Ra]] and his Arkestra
* [[Wayne Rogers]] starred in ABC's ''Stagecoach West''.
* ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine was relaunched.
* Unidentified jazz album by Country swing star [[Hank Penny]]
* "Bozo the Clown" debuted on [[WBRC]] with [[Bart Darby]] as host.
* The [[Birmingham Grotto]] published its final edition of ''Cavea Novea''.
* "Oogsy-Moo"/"Locomotive" and "Are You Alright?" singles by [[The Premiers]]
* [[Betty Lou Gerson]] starred as Cruella De Vil in ''101 Dalmations''.
* [[Jimmy Morgan statue]]
* [[Marion Worth]]'s single "I Think I Know" peaked at #7 on the country charts.
===Books===
* ''The Moviegoer'', National Book Award-winning novel by [[Walker Percy]].
* ''Revolutionary Road, National Book Award finalist by [[Richard Yates]].
===Buildings===
* [[March 13]]: [[Pizitz Roebuck Plaza]]
* [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 18]] in [[Pratt City]]
* [[Manoir Minette]] on [[Old Leeds Road]]
* A 9,000-seat upper deck was installed at [[Legion Field]].
* An F-86D SabreJet was installed on the roof of [[Banks High School]].
* [[Canaan Missionary Baptist Church]]
* [[Jefferson County Medical Society building]]
* [[John Carroll Catholic High School]] athletic complex on [[Montclair Road]]
* [[Crow Building]] on [[6th Avenue North]]
* [[Newberry's]] renovations
* [[One Highland Place|Gulf Building]] at 2151 [[Highland Avenue]]
* [[Phillips High School]] gymnasium
* [[Lewis Smith Dam]] on the [[Black Warrior River]] in [[Walker County]], forming [[Smith Lake]]
* [[Tuxedo Terrace|Tuxedo Court]] housing project
* [[Weiss Dam]] on the [[Coosa River]] in Cherokee County, forming [[Weiss Lake]]
* The 15-story [[Highland Manor|Sheraton Motor Inn]] on [[Highland Avenue]]
* The west-side stands were completed at [[Samford University]]'s [[Seibert Stadium]].
* New 4-story [[Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children|Children's Hospital]] at 1600 [[7th Avenue South]]
* Paved 1/4-mile track at the [[Birmingham International Raceway]]
* A second wing of [[Hayes High School]] was completed.
* [[Putnam Middle School|Putnam Elementary School]]
* [[W. J. Christian School]]
* [[Avondale Regional Library]] at [[Avondale Park]]
* [[Green Acres Baptist Church]] new sanctuary
* [[Greater Shiloh Baptist Church]] new sanctuary
* Central section of [[Mountain Brook Shopping Center]] with [[Britling Cafeteria|Britling By The Brook]] cafeteria
* [[Treadwell Barber Shop]]
* Modernization of [[Vaughan-Weil]], [[Krown Kredit]] and [[Epp's Jewelry]] storefronts on the 1800 block of [[3rd Avenue North]] ([[Block 72]])
* Addition to the [[Purcell Wing]] at [[Carraway Hospital]].
* Second addition to [[Roebuck Shopping Center]]
* [[Bowl-O-Bama]] bowling lanes at [[Roebuck Plaza Shopping Center]]
* Rectory at [[Sacred Heart Catholic Church]] in [[Cullman]]
* [[4th U.S. Army Corps]] building at [[Highland Office Park]]
====Demolitions====
* [[January 10]]: [[Locust Fork High School]] was destroyed by fire
* [[Avondale Public Library]]
* [[Eugene Brown residence]]
* [[Clear Creek Falls]] was subsumed under [[Lewis Smith Lake]]
* [[Mabson Hotel]]
* [[James Van Hoose residence]]


==Context==
==Context==

Latest revision as of 16:21, 22 March 2024

1961 was the 90th year after the founding of the city of Birmingham.

Events

Government

Civil Rights Movement

Main article: Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham

Business

Disestablishments

Religion

Sports

Individuals

Births

Graduations

Marriages

Awards

Deaths

See also: List of homicides in 1961

Works

Books

  • The Moviegoer, National Book Award-winning novel by Walker Percy.
  • Revolutionary Road, National Book Award finalist by Richard Yates.

Buildings

Demolitions

Context

In 1961, the U.S. severed diplomatic relations with Cuba. John F. Kennedy succeeded Dwight Eisenhower as President. The Beatles began performing at the Cavern Club. Lawrencium was first synthesized. The Peace Corps was established. Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. The Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba failed. Alan Shepard became the first American in space. President Kennedy announced his goal to put a man on the Moon before the end of the decade. The Antarctic Treaty went into effect. Roger Maris beat Babe Ruth's single-season home run record. Mattel introduced Barbie's boyfriend, Ken.

Top grossing films of 1961 included West Side Story, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Guns of Navarone, El Cid, Splendor in the Grass, and Breakfast at Tiffany's. West Side Story also took Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins), Best Supporting Actor (George Chakiris), and Best Supporting Actress (Rita Moreno). Best Actor went to Maximilian Schell (Judgment at Nuremberg) and Best Actress went to Sophia Loren (Two Women).

Notable books published in 1961 included Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison, and Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction went to To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Popular music in 1961 included "Runaround Sue" by Dion, "Runaway" by Del Shannon, "Stand By Me" by Ben E King, "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean, and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens. Grammy Awards went to Percy Faith for "Theme From A Summer Place" (Record of the Year), Bob Newhart for The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart (Album of the Year and Best New Artist), and Ernest Gold for "Theme of Exodus" (Song of the Year).

Notable births in 1961 included actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus; hockey player Wayne Gretzky; singer Vince Neal; journalist George Stephanopoulos; singer Susan Boyle; comedian Eddie Murphy; comedian George Lopez; basketball player Isiah Thomas; actor George Clooney; basketball player Dennis Rodman; musician Enya; actor Michael J. Fox; musician Boy George; Diana, Princess of Wales; singer Toby Keith; actor Woody Harrelson; President Barack Obama; guitarist The Edge; journalist Bob Woodruff; singer Billy Ray Cyrus; actress Heather Locklear; film director Peter Jackson; singer k.d. lang; actor Ralph Macchio; actress Meg Ryan; author Ann Coulter; and radio host Sean Hannity.

Notable deaths included physicist Erwin Schrödinger, King Mohammed V of Morocco, conductor Sir Thomas Beecham, actor Gary Cooper, psychiatrist Carl Jung, inventor Lee De Forest, writer Ernest Hemingway, baseball player Ty Cobb, comedian Chico Marx, and humorist James Thurber.

1960s
<< 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 >>
Births - Deaths - Establishments - Events - Works
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