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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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* The [[Lane Park Committee]] was created by Mayor [[Jimmy Morgan]] to oversee development of the [[Birmingham Botanical Gardens]].
* The [[Lane Park Committee]] was created by Mayor [[Jimmy Morgan]] to oversee development of the [[Birmingham Botanical Gardens]].
* [[Birmingham Festival of Arts]]: [[1961 Salute to the South]]
* [[Birmingham Festival of Arts]]: [[1961 Salute to the South]]
* [[Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children|Children's Hospital]] formed an agreement with [[UAB Hospital]] and the [[UAB Department of Pediatric Medicine]].
* [[Children's Hospital]] formed an agreement with [[UAB Hospital]] and the [[UAB Department of Pediatric Medicine]].
* [[Kel Osbourne]] left "The Primes", leaving [[Eddie Kendricks]] and [[Paul Williams]] to form "The Elgins", which signed with Motown Records and became [[The Temptations]].
* [[Kel Osbourne]] left "The Primes", leaving [[Eddie Kendricks]] and [[Paul Williams]] to form "The Elgins", which signed with Motown Records and became [[The Temptations]].
* The [[Cumberland School of Law]] relocated from Lebanon, Tennessee to [[Samford University]].
* The [[Cumberland School of Law]] relocated from Lebanon, Tennessee to [[Samford University]].
* [[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.
* [[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]].
* [[February 20]]: Floodwaters engulfed areas of [[Mountaindale]] in [[Crestline]]
* [[July 8]]: The [[20th Special Forces Group]] was organized at the [[Homewood National Guard Armory]].
* [[Woodlawn Elementary School]] closed.
* [[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.
* 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.
* August: the first [[Ball of Roses]] was held at the [[Country Club of Birmingham]].
* 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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* * [[February 6]]: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]]'s car was impounded as part of the judgment against him in the case later overturned as ''New York Times Co. v. Sullivan''.
* * [[February 6]]: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]]'s car was impounded as part of the judgment against him in the case later overturned as ''New York Times Co. v. Sullivan''.
* [[February 17]]: The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit [[Integration of Birmingham Terminal Station|ruled against segregated facilities]] at the [[Birmingham Terminal Station]].
* [[February 17]]: The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit [[Integration of Birmingham Terminal Station|ruled against segregated facilities]] at the [[Birmingham Terminal Station]].
* [[May 14]]: [[Freedom Riders]] were attacked at the [[Birmingham Trailways Station]].
* [[May 4]]: [[Freedom Rides|Freedom Riders]] departed from Washington D.C. en route to New Orleans on Trailways and Greyhound buses.
* [[May 14]]: [[Freedom Rides|Freedom Riders]] were attacked at the [[Birmingham Trailways Station]].
* [[May 15]]: U. S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy was unsuccessful in attempts to negotiate safe passage for the [[Freedom Rides|Freedom Riders]] out of [[Birmingham]].
* [[May 17]]: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] was arrested for failure to obey a [[Birmingham Police Department|Birmingham Police]] officer.
* [[May 17]]: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] was arrested for failure to obey a [[Birmingham Police Department|Birmingham Police]] officer.
* [[May 18]]: "[[Who Speaks for Birmingham?]]", a documentary by Howard K. Smith, aired on CBS
* [[May 18]]: "[[Who Speaks for Birmingham?]]", a documentary by Howard K. Smith, aired on CBS
* [[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.


===Business===
===Business===
* [[WBRC]] switched from the CBS network to ABC.
* [[September 1]]: [[WBRC]] switched from the CBS network to ABC.
* [[WAPI-TV]] picked up CBS programming along with NBC, favoring NBC's news broadcasts.
* September 1: [[WAPI-TV]] picked up CBS programming along with NBC, favoring NBC's news broadcasts.
* [[Ed Boutwell]] founded [[Boutwell Studios]] at his home.
* [[Ed Boutwell]] founded [[Boutwell Studios]] at his home.
* 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.
* [[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]].
====Disestablishments====
* [[Birmingham View Company]], one of the city's first professional photography studios, closed.
* [[Birmingham View Company]], one of the city's first professional photography studios, closed.
* [[Krown Kredit]] opened on [[3rd Avenue North]]
* 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 ===
* [[June 18]]: [[Saint Mark United Methodist Church]] held its first service at [[Berry High School]].
* [[September 24]]: [[Saint Mark United Methodist Church]] adopted its charter.


===Sports===
===Sports===
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* Shreveport's [[Paul Seitz]] started on the mound for [[Rickwood Field]]'s first racially-integrated game.
* Shreveport's [[Paul Seitz]] started on the mound for [[Rickwood Field]]'s first racially-integrated game.
* [[Lee May]] signed with the Cincinnati Reds.
* [[Lee May]] signed with the Cincinnati Reds.
* [[Ted Kubiak]] signed with the Kansas City Athletics.
* [[Ted Kubiak]] and [[Bert Campaneris]] signed with the Kansas City Athletics.
 
==Individuals==
* [[Oliver Adams]] joined the [[Bessemer Police Department]].
* [[Gene Bartow]] began his coaching career at Central Missouri State University.
* [[Frank Bettencourt]] left the Jan Garber Orchestra to start his own group.
* [[Thomas Brigham]] was founding president of the [[Birmingham Ski Club]].
* [[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.
* [[Bernard Feld Jr]] succeeded [[Julian Aland]] as President of [[Temple Emanu-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.
* [[Harley Gilmore]] was appointed to the [[Hueytown Municipal Court]].
* [[John Grenier]] chaired the [[Alabama Young Republicans]].
* [[Angela Hernández]] began a 30-year career at the [[University of Montevallo]].
* [[Basil Hirschowitz]] was naturalized as an American citizen.
* [[A. D. King]] became pastor of the [[First Baptist Church of Ensley]].
* [[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.
* [[Joe O'Donnell]] joined the staff of ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine.
* [[Constance Shen Pittman]] joined the faculty of the [[UAB School of Medicine]].
* [[Lucius Pitts]] succeeded [[William A. Bell]] as [[List of Miles College presidents|president]] of [[Miles College]].
* [[V. C. Provitt]] succeeded [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] as pastor of [[Bethel Baptist Church]].
* [[Henry Stanford]] announced his resignation from the presidency of [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Earl Stallings]] succeeded [[J. T. Ford]] as pastor of [[First Baptist Church of Birmingham]].
 
===Births===
* [[January 15]]: [[Jeremiah Castille]], NFL football player
* [[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]])
* [[March 6]]: [[Jeff Roberts]], photojournalist
* [[March 8]]: [[Sheila Tyson]], accountant and community activist
* [[March 21]]: [[Titus Battle]], tutor
* [[April 4]]: [[Shane Corn]], blogger and radio personality
* [[April 12]]: [[Jimbo Wood]], radio personality
* [[April 17]]: [[Rebecca Luker]], Broadway singer
* [[May 20]]: [[Brian Tribble]], singer and music minister
* [[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 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
* [[December 1]]: [[Herschell Hamilton]], founder of [[BLOC Global]]
* [[December 3]]: [[Mark Kelly]], ''[[Weld]]'' publisher
* [[December 28]]: [[Gene Chizik]], football coach
* [[December 30]]: [[Brian Glusman]], rabbi
* [[Keith Aaron]], president of the [[Arlington-West End neighborhood]]
* [[Lynda Cardwell]], TV news anchor
* [[Gary Chapman]], artist and [[UAB]] professor
* [[Will Cotchery]], basketball coach
* [[Cheri Gardner]], funeral director
* [[Johnny Kile]], chief of the [[Moody Police Department]] and [[Leeds City Council]] member
* [[Lolly Lee]], singer
* [[Kenneth Livesay]], former CIO for [[HealthSouth]]
* [[Drew Mays]], ophthalmologist and Van Cliburn competition-winning pianist
* [[Dave McDaniel]], radio host and sportscaster
* [[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]]
* [[Stuart Whitehurst]], auctioneer and appraiser
* [[Chalethia Williams]], actor, director and educator
* [[Mark Wilson]], [[Jefferson County Health Officer]]
 
===Graduations===
* Film director [[John Badham]] earned his B.A. in philosophy at Yale University.
* Dermatologist [[Robert Bentley]] graduated from [[Shelby County High School]].
* Civil Rights leader [[James Bevel]] graduated from the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee.
* [[Robert Carter]] completed a master's degree in education at [[Alabama State University]].
* Judge [[U. W. Clemon]] graduated as valedictorian of his class at [[Westfield High School]].
* Novelist [[William Cobb]] earned his bachelor of arts at [[Livingston University]].
* Judge [[Ralph Cook]] graduated from [[Wenonah High School]].
* Engineer [[Garry Drummond]] earned his civil engineering degree at the [[University of Alabama]].
* Historian [[Wayne Flynt]] graduated from [[Samford University]].
* 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]].
* Journalist [[Karl Seitz]] graduated high school in Troy, Pike County.
* [[University of Montevallo]] president [[John W. Stewart]] earned his doctorate of education at Florida State University.
* Judge [[Scott Vowell]] from the University of Virginia School of Law.
* Attorney [[J. Bryan Whitworth]] completed his degree at the [[University of Alabama School of Law]].
 
===Marriages===
* [[B. J. Baker]] to jazz guitarist Barney Kessel.
 
===Awards===
* Sculptor [[John Rhoden]] won grants from the Guggenheim and Rockefeller foundations.
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Delores Hodgens]]
* [[Miss Samford]]: [[Janette Weaver]]
* [[Mr Crestwood]]: [[Doyle Edwards]]
* [[Birmingham Festival of Arts]] Award for Industrial Architecture: [[Fritz Woehle]] for [[Pilgrim Church]]
 
===Deaths===
* January: [[George Bender]], caterer and restaurant manager
* [[January 2]]: Architect [[John Davis]]
* [[April 10]]: Architect [[Harry Pembleton]]
* [[June 30]]: Baseball player [[Dizzy Dismukes]]
* [[July 25]]: [[Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame]] player/manager [[Carlton Molesworth]]
* [[October 9]]: [[Richmond Beatty]], literary scholar and biographer
* [[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 23]]: Playwright [[William Berney (playwright)|William Berney]]
* [[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]]
:''See also: [[List of homicides in 1961]]''


==Works==
==Works==
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* "Oogsy-Moo"/"Locomotive" and "Are You Alright?" singles by [[The Premiers]]
* "Oogsy-Moo"/"Locomotive" and "Are You Alright?" singles by [[The Premiers]]
* [[Betty Lou Gerson]] starred as Cruella De Vil in ''101 Dalmations''.
* [[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.
* [[Marion Worth]]'s single "I Think I Know" peaked at #7 on the country charts.


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===Buildings===
===Buildings===
* [[March 13]]: [[Pizitz Roebuck Plaza]]
* [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 18]] in [[Pratt City]]
* [[Birmingham Fire Station No. 18]] in [[Pratt City]]
* [[Manoir Minette]] on [[Old Leeds Road]]
* [[Manoir Minette]] on [[Old Leeds Road]]
* A 9,000-seat upper deck was installed at [[Legion Field]].
* A 9,000-seat upper deck was installed at [[Legion Field]].
* An F-86D SabreJet was installed on the roof of [[Banks High School]].
* 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
* [[Phillips High School]] gymnasium
* [[Lewis Smith Dam]] on the [[Black Warrior River]] in [[Walker County]], forming [[Smith Lake]]
* [[Tuxedo Terrace|Tuxedo Court]] housing project
* [[Tuxedo Terrace|Tuxedo Court]] housing project
* [[John Carroll Catholic High School]] athletic complex on [[Montclair Road]]
* [[Crow Building]] on [[6th Avenue North]]
* [[Weiss Dam]] on the [[Coosa River]] in Cherokee County, forming [[Weiss Lake]]
* [[Weiss Dam]] on the [[Coosa River]] in Cherokee County, forming [[Weiss Lake]]
* [[Lewis Smith Dam]] on the [[Black Warrior River]] in [[Walker County]], forming [[Smith Lake]]
* The 15-story [[Highland Manor|Sheraton Motor Inn]] on [[Highland Avenue]]
* The 15-story [[Highland Manor|Sheraton Motor Inn]] on [[Highland Avenue]]
* The west-side stands were completed at [[Samford University]]'s [[Seibert Stadium]].
* The west-side stands were completed at [[Samford University]]'s [[Seibert Stadium]].
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* A second wing of [[Hayes High School]] was completed.
* A second wing of [[Hayes High School]] was completed.
* [[Putnam Middle School|Putnam Elementary School]]
* [[Putnam Middle School|Putnam Elementary School]]
* [[W. J. Christian School]]
* [[Avondale Regional Library]] at [[Avondale Park]]
* [[Avondale Regional Library]] at [[Avondale Park]]
* [[Green Acres Baptist Church]] new sanctuary
* [[Green Acres Baptist Church]] new sanctuary
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* Modernization of [[Vaughan-Weil]], [[Krown Kredit]] and [[Epp's Jewelry]] storefronts on the 1800 block of [[3rd Avenue North]] ([[Block 72]])
* 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]].
* 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]]


==People==
====Demolitions====
* [[Henry Stanford]] announced his resignation from the presidency of [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[January 10]]: [[Locust Fork High School]] was destroyed by fire
* [[Karl Friedman]] succeeded [[Sidney Ziff]] as President of [[Temple Beth-El]].
* [[Avondale Public Library]]
* [[Bernard Feld, Jr]] succeeded [[Julian Aland]] as President of [[Temple Emanu-El]].
* [[Eugene Brown residence]]
* [[Martin Buerger]] succeeded [[Hans Reuter]] as Pastor of [[First Lutheran Church]].
* [[Clear Creek Falls]] was subsumed under [[Lewis Smith Lake]]
* [[Gene Bartow]] began his coaching career at Central Missouri State University.
* [[Mabson Hotel]]
* [[Roland Frye]] was made a researcher in residence at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C.
* [[James Van Hoose residence]]
* [[Lucius Pitts]] succeeded [[William A. Bell]] as [[List of Miles College presidents|president]] of [[Miles College]].
* [[John Grenier]] chaired the [[Alabama Young Republicans]].
* [[V. C. Provitt]] succeeded [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] as pastor of [[Bethel Baptist Church]].
* [[Ida Moffett]] was appointed to the United States Surgeon General's Consulting Group on Nursing.
* [[Alice Chalifoux]] succeeded Carlos Salzedo as director of the Salzedo Summer Harp Colony in Camden, Maine.
* [[Earl Stallings]] succeeded [[J. T. Ford]] as pastor of [[First Baptist Church of Birmingham]].
* [[A. D. King]] became pastor of the [[First Baptist Church of Ensley]].
* [[Martin Luther King, Jr]] dubbed [[Odetta]] the "Queen of American folk music"
* [[Basil Hirschowitz]] was naturalized as an American citizen.
* [[Thomas Brigham]] was founding president of the [[Birmingham Ski Club]].
* [[Angela Hernández]] began a 30-year career at the [[University of Montevallo]].
* [[Joe O'Donnell]] joined the staff of ''[[Birmingham magazine|Birmingham]]'' magazine.


===Graduations===
==Context==
* Film director [[John Badham]] earned his B.A. in philosophy at Yale University.
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.
* Dermatologist [[Robert Bentley]] graduated from [[Shelby County High School]].
* Civil Rights leader [[James Bevel]] graduated from the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee.
* [[Robert Carter]] completed a master's degree in education at [[Alabama State University]].
* Judge [[U. W. Clemon]] graduated as valedictorian of his class at [[Westfield High School]].
* Novelist [[William Cobb]] earned his bachelor of arts at [[Livingston University]].
* Engineer [[Garry Drummond]] earned his civil engineering degree at the [[University of Alabama]].
* Historian [[Wayne Flynt]] graduated from [[Samford University]].
* 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]].
* Journalist [[Karl Seitz]] graduated high school in Troy, Pike County.
* [[University of Montevallo]] president [[John W. Stewart]] earned his doctorate of education at Florida State University.
* Attorney [[J. Bryan Whitworth]] completed his degree at the [[University of Alabama School of Law]].


===Awards===
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'').
* Sculptor [[John Rhoden]] won grants from the Guggenheim and Rockefeller foundations.
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Delores Hodgens]]
* [[Miss Samford]]: [[Janette Weaver]]
* [[Mr Crestwood]]: [[Doyle Edwards]]
* [[Birmingham Festival of Arts]] Award for Industrial Architecture: [[Fritz Woehle]] for [[Pilgrim Church]]
 
===Births===
* [[January 15]]: [[Jeremiah Castille]], NFL football player
* [[January 25]]: [[Claude Cotten]], artist and community volunteer
* [[February 25]]: [[Davey Allison]], NASCAR driver (died [[1993]])
* [[April 12]]: [[Jimbo Wood]], radio personality
* [[April 17]]: [[Rebecca Luker]], Broadway singer
* [[July 1]]: [[Carl Lewis]], Olympic track and field medalist
* [[September 25]]: [[Allen Treadaway]], Alabama State Representative
* [[September 29]]: [[Eddie Phillips]], NBA basketball player
* [[December 28]]: [[Gene Chizik]], football coach
* [[December 30]]: [[Brian Glusman]], rabbi
* [[Keith Aaron]], president of the [[Arlington-West End neighborhood]]
* [[Gary Chapman]], artist and [[UAB]] professor
* [[Will Cotchery]], basketball coach
* [[Lolly Lee]], singer
* [[Kenneth Livesay]], former CIO for [[HealthSouth]]
* [[Drew Mays]], ophthalmologist and Van Cliburn competition-winning pianist
* [[Bob Roller]], athletics director for [[Samford University]]
* [[Sheila Tyson]], accountant and community activist
* [[Janie Lee Wallace]], daughter of [[George Wallace|George]] and [[Lurleen Wallace]]
* [[Stuart Whitehurst]], auctioneer and appraiser


===Deaths===
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.
* January: [[George Bender]], caterer and restaurant manager
* [[April 10]]: Architect [[Harry Pembleton]]
* [[June 30]]: Baseball player [[Dizzy Dismukes]]
* [[November 22]]: Shopkeeper [[Gus Jebeles (shopkeeper)|Gus Jebeles]]
* [[Joseph Zoettl]], creator of [[Ave Maria Grotto]]
:''See also: [[List of homicides in 1961]]''


==Context==
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).
In 1961  


Notable 1961 births include
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.


Top grossing films of 1961 included
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.


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{{Decade box|196|195|197}}
[[Category:1961|*]]
[[Category:1961|*]]

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
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Births - Deaths - Establishments - Events - Works
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