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January 1, 1961 New Year's Day

January 1, 1961, was a Sunday. It was the 1st day of 1961. The decade was the swinging sixties.

63 years, 2 months, and 28 days have passed since January 1, 1961.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Capricorn.

Song charts

Music charts

Songs that were on top of the charts in the USA and the United Kingdom on January 1, 1961:

  • United States: "Are You Lonesome Tonight" by Elvis Presley
  • United Kingdom: "It's Now Or Never" by Elvis Presley

The Billboard Hot 100 on January 1, 1961

These were the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • Are You Lonesome To-night? - Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
  • Wonderland By Night - Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra
  • Last Date - Floyd Cramer
  • Exodus - Ferrante & Teicher
  • A Thousand Stars - Kathy Young With The Innocents
Play the top singles from 1961
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1961. Take a trip back to the days of Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, The Shirelles, Chubby Checker, Ray Charles and Helen Shapiro.
Exodus

Top movie at the box office

The movie "Exodus" was at the top of the box office on January 1, 1961.

Facts

New Year's Day 1961 occurred 23,098 days ago. Approximately 770 months have passed. Although it was the 1st day of 1961, it was still week #52, as the final calendar week of 1960 hadn't fully ended yet. The decade was the swinging sixties. People who were born on January 1, 1961, are now 63 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. The Earth has experienced 257 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to January 1, 1961

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

The date is January 1, 1961, and it's a Sunday. Anyone born today will have the star sign Capricorn. It's New Year's Day, the official start of the year 1961. A lot of people are relaxing at home. Some are nursing hangovers from the night before.

In America, the song "Are You Lonesome Tonight" by Elvis Presley is at the top of the singles charts, while "It's Now Or Never" by Elvis Presley is the number-one song in the UK. Dwight David Eisenhower is the President of the United States, and the movie Exodus is at the top of the box office. Harold Macmillan is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

On television, people are watching popular shows such as "You Bet Your Life", "The Jack Benny Program", "Tonight Starring Jack Paar", and "Rawhide". Tailfins on cars are extremely popular at the moment. The design looks futuristic, almost like a rocket or the twin rudders on the back of an airplane. In fashion, many of the trends from the late 1950s are still popular. Women are wearing tailored skirts, short boxy jackets and shift dresses. Trousers are also becoming popular amongst women. Meanwhile, men are wearing polo shirts, argyle socks, sweater vests, loafers and harrington jackets.

Because it's 1961, radio stations are playing hit songs from artists such as Bert Kaempfert, Chubby Checker, Elvis Presley, Del Shannon, Bobby Lewis and Jimmy Dean. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Ernie Kovacs, and Marilyn Monroe would all still be alive. Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Captain Kangaroo", "Noggin the Nog", "Snooper and Blabber", and "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends".

Children are playing with toys such as BAS-KET Miniature Basketball, the Hula Hoop, Playpal dolls, and Astrobase.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on January 1, 1961.

  • Who were the best NBA players in 1961?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1961?

    In 1961, the best NBA players were Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Pettit, Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson.
  • Who were the best football players?

    Who were the best football players?

    In 1961, the best soccer players were Pelé, Omar Sívori, Luis Suárez, Johnny Haynes, Lev Yashin, Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Uwe Seeler and John Charles.
  • West Side Story.

    West Side Story

    The film "West Side Story" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1961.
  • Henry Mancini - "Moon River"

    Henry Mancini - "Moon River"

    The song "Moon River" by Henry Mancini won a Grammy for 1961's Song of the Year.
  • 1961 in music.

    1961 in music

    The Billboard Charts in 1961 were dominated by the likes of Elvis Presley, Bobby Lewis, Jimmy Dean, Ricky Nelson, The Marcels, Del Shannon, Bobby Vee, Ray Charles and Bert Kaempfert.
  • 1961 in movies.

    1961 in movies

    Movies released in 1961 included West Side Story, The Guns of Navarone, El Cid, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Parent Trap, La Dolce Vita, Lover Come Back, King of Kings, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Splendor in the Grass, Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Hustler.
  • John F. Kennedy.

    John F. Kennedy

    US President John F. Kennedy was named Time Person of the Year in 1961.
  • Rotary phones.

    Rotary phones

    Rotary phones were still the most common type of landline phone. Although push-button telephones did begin to appear at the end of 1963, they were relatively uncommon.
  • Trouble is brewing in Vietnam.

    Trouble is brewing in Vietnam

    By this time, communist forces in North Vietnam had committed themselves to invading South Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh trail was established and expanded and guerrilla warfare attacks were being carried out against the US-backed Diệm government in the south. It was during this time that the United States started to slowly escalate its involvement in the conflict.
  • Tailfins on cars.

    Tailfins on cars

    Tailfins on cars were a popular style around this time. The design looked futuristic, almost like the twin rudders on the back of an airplane.
  • Greasers.

    Greasers

    A youth subculture called "greasers" emerged during the 1950s and early 1960s. The style included greased-back hairstyles, work pants, and denim or leather jackets.
  • The Jukebox.

    The Jukebox

    The jukebox was at the height of its popularity. Teenagers and young adults would often hang out at local restaurants and diners and listen to the latest songs.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on January 1, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around January 1, 1961.

  • December 9, 1960: The first ever episode of British soap opera "Coronation Street" is aired on television.
  • December 16, 1960: 128 people are killed when two airliners collide over Staten Island, New York.
  • December 21, 1960: The film "Swiss Family Robinson" is released by Disney.
  • December 26, 1960: NFL: The Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Green Bay Packers by 17-13 to win the 1960 NFL Championship Game.
  • This date: January 1, 1961
  • January 9, 1961: The Portland Spy Ring: A Soviet spy ring is uncovered in London.
  • January 11, 1961: The Throgs Neck Bridge connecting The Bronx and Queens is opened in New York City.
  • January 16, 1961: Mickey Mantle becomes the highest paid player in baseball after he signs a $75,000 contract with the New York Yankees.
  • January 20, 1961: John F. Kennedy takes office as the 35th President of the United States.
  • January 24, 1961: Actress Marilyn Monroe divorces her husband Arthur Miller after less than five years of marriage.
  • January 25, 1961: Disney releases the movie "One Hundred and One Dalmatians".
  • January 30, 1961: Patsy Cline releases her single "I Fall to Pieces".
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on January 1, 1961, will have the star sign Capricorn.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1961 was the year of the Ox (Yin Wood).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 1.
  • Native American Zodiac: January 1, 1961 falls under the Goose.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of January will have the birthstone Garnet.
  • Birth flower (January): The Carnation and the Snowdrop.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in January 1961

Television shows that people were watching in January 1961:

TV shows from January 1961.

Route 66
Route 66
The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Danger Man
Danger Man
The Untouchables
The Untouchables
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Bonanza
Bonanza
Rawhide
Rawhide
77 Sunset Strip
77 Sunset Strip
Maverick
Maverick
Perry Mason
Perry Mason
Wagon Train
Wagon Train
Have Gun - Will Travel
Have Gun - Will Travel
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
The Danny Thomas Show
The Danny Thomas Show
The Jack Benny Program
The Jack Benny Program
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
What's My Line?
What's My Line?
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show

Cars in 1961

1961 saw the introduction of cars such as the BMW New Class, the Dodge Lancer, the Toyota Publica, the Ford Thunderbird (third generation), the MG Midget, and the Volvo P1800.

Cars in 1961.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in January 1961

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

The Dick Tracy Show
The Dick Tracy Show
King Leonardo and His Short Subjects
King Leonardo and His Short Subjects
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Bugs Bunny Show

My Three Sons
My Three Sons
Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse
Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends
Dennis the Menace
Dennis the Menace
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
Snooper and Blabber
Snooper and Blabber
Noggin the Nog
Noggin the Nog
Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks
Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks
Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown
Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown
The Rifleman
The Rifleman
The Huckleberry Hound Show
The Huckleberry Hound Show
The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole
The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole
Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver
Captain Pugwash
Captain Pugwash
Heckle and Jeckle
Heckle and Jeckle
The Gumby Show
The Gumby Show
Mighty Mouse Playhouse
Mighty Mouse Playhouse
Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kangaroo
Lassie
Lassie
Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Toys

Toys in 1961

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

Etch A Sketch
Etch A Sketch
Astrobase
Astrobase
Troll doll
Troll doll
Tonka trucks
Tonka trucks
Matchbox toy cars
Matchbox toy cars
Barbie
Barbie
Playpal dolls
Playpal dolls
Crater Critters
Crater Critters
Fisher Price Little People
Fisher Price Little People
The Hula Hoop
The Hula Hoop
Metal House robots
Metal House robots
The Frisbee
The Frisbee
Wooly Willy
Wooly Willy
BAS-KET Miniature Basketball
BAS-KET Miniature Basketball

Were you born on January 1, 1961?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1961.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out January 1, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on January 1.

J. Edgar Hoover

J. Edgar Hoover

The first Director of the FBI Deceased
Born on January 1, 1895
He turned 66 on this day in 1961.

Grandmaster Flash

Grandmaster Flash

Hip Hop DJ
Born on January 1, 1958
He turned 3 on this day in 1961.

Verne Troyer

Verne Troyer

Actor Deceased
Born on January 1, 1969
He was born exactly 8 years after this date.

Ice Spice

Ice Spice

Rapper
Born on January 1, 2000
She was born exactly 39 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on January 1:

  • New Year's Day
USA

US President

Dwight David Eisenhower was the President of the United States on January 1, 1961.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Harold Macmillan was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Seán Lemass was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on January 1, 1961 was most likely conceived around April 10, 1960.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on January 1, 1961 is close to September 24, 1961.

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Stats for January 1, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about January 1, 1961:

  • 23,098 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,299 weeks have passed.
  • 1,995,667,200 seconds have passed since January 1, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,328,278,400 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,029,764,275,200 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 332,611,200 times.
  • You have taken approximately 171,627,379 steps. That's roughly 76,279 miles!
  • Since this date, 23,948,006 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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