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February 8, 1961

February 8, 1961, was a Wednesday. It was the 39th day of 1961. The decade was the swinging sixties.

63 years, 1 month, and 21 days have passed since February 8, 1961.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Aquarius.

Song charts

Music charts

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on February 8, 1961:

  • United States: "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles
  • United Kingdom: "Are You Lonesome Tonight" by Elvis Presley

The Billboard Hot 100 on February 8, 1961

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

  • Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles
  • Calcutta - Lawrence Welk And His Orchestra
  • Exodus - Ferrante & Teicher
  • Shop Around - The Miracles (featuring Bill "Smokey" Robinson)
  • Calendar Girl - Neil Sedaka
Play the top songs 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.
The Misfits

Top movie at the box office

The movie "The Misfits" was at the top of the box office on February 8, 1961.

Facts

This date was 23,060 days ago. Approximately 769 months have passed. It was the 39th day of 1961, in week 06. The decade was the swinging sixties. People born on this day are currently 63 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. The Earth has experienced 256 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to February 8, 1961

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

It is Wednesday, February 8, 1961. Anyone born today will have the star sign Aquarius. It is "Hump Day", so many are beginning to think about the weekend ahead.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. In America, the song "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles is at the top of the singles charts, while "Are You Lonesome Tonight" by Elvis Presley is the number-one song in the UK. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the President of the United States, and the movie The Misfits is at the top of the box office.

Harold Macmillan is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 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. On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "Perry Mason", "77 Sunset Strip", "The Twilight Zone", and "The Untouchables".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "The Rifleman", "Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy", "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis", and "Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse". Popular toys at the moment include Wooly Willy, the Hula Hoop, Matchbox toy cars, and Troll doll.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on February 8, 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 February 8, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to February 8, 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".
  • This date: February 8, 1961
  • February 9, 1961: The Beatles perform for the very first time at a nightclub called The Cavern Club.
  • February 15, 1961: The entire United States figure skating team is killed after their Sabena Boeing 707 crashes in Belgium.
  • February 18, 1961: Del Shannon releases his song "Crying".
  • February 25, 1961: The Sydney tramway network operates for the last time.
  • March 9, 1961: The Soviet spacecraft Korabl-Sputnik 4 is successfully launched, carrying a dog named Chernushka.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on February 8, 1961, will have the star sign Aquarius.
  • Zodiac Element: Air.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1961 was the year of the Ox (Yin Wood).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 9.
  • Native American Zodiac: February 8, 1961 falls under the Otter.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of February will have the birthstone Amethyst.
  • Birth flower (February): The Violet and the Primrose.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV shows in 1961

The following TV shows were popular in February 1961:

TV shows from February 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

Kids TV shows on February 8, 1961

Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1961:

The Yogi Bear Show
The Yogi Bear Show
Mister Ed
Mister Ed
The Dick Tracy Show
The Dick Tracy Show

The Bugs Bunny Show
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Flintstones
The Flintstones
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

Popular toys and games in 1961

Toys and games that were popular in 1961:

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 February 8, 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 February 8, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on February 8.

James Dean

James Dean

Actor Deceased
Born on February 8, 1931
He was not alive on this date.

Mary Steenburgen

Mary Steenburgen

Actress
Born on February 8, 1953
She turned 8 on this day in 1961.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman

Actor Deceased
Born on February 8, 1968
He was born exactly 7 years after this date.

The Big Show

The Big Show

Wrestler
Born on February 8, 1972
He was born exactly 11 years after this date.

Kimbo Slice

Kimbo Slice

MMA fighter Deceased
Born on February 8, 1974
He was born exactly 13 years after this date.

Seth Green

Seth Green

Actor
Born on February 8, 1974
He was born exactly 13 years after this date.

Danny Tamberelli

Danny Tamberelli

Actor
Born on February 8, 1982
He was born exactly 21 years after this date.

Bella Poarch

Bella Poarch

Internet personality
Born on February 8, 1997
She was born exactly 36 years after this date.

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on February 8, 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 February 8, 1961 was most likely conceived around May 18, 1960.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on February 8, 1961 is close to November 1, 1961.

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Stats for February 8, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about February 8, 1961:

  • 23,060 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,294 weeks have passed.
  • 1,992,384,000 seconds have passed since February 8, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,324,448,000 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,028,070,144,000 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 332,064,000 times.
  • You have taken approximately 171,345,024 steps. That's roughly 76,153 miles!
  • Since this date, 23,908,608 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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