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October 21, 1961

October 21, 1961, was a Saturday. It was the 294th day of 1961. The decade was the swinging sixties.

62 years, 5 months, and 7 days have passed since October 21, 1961.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Libra.

Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on October 21, 1961:

  • United States: "Hit The Road Jack" by Ray Charles
  • United Kingdom: "Walkin' Back To Happiness" by Helen Shapiro

The Billboard Hot 100 on October 21, 1961

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Runaround Sue - Dion
  • Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
  • Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
  • Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles and his Orchestra
  • Sad Movies (Make Me Cry) - Sue Thompson
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.
Breakfast at Tiffany's

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

Facts

This date occurred 22,804 days ago. Approximately 760 months have passed. It was the 294th day of 1961, in week 42. The decade was the swinging sixties. People who were born on October 21, 1961, are now 62 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. 253 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to October 21, 1961

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is October 21, 1961, and it's a Saturday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Libra. The work week is over and Saturday has finally come, so people are spending time with their kids, going to bars, shopping, playing video games, and watching sports.

The summer is long gone. Temperatures have become much cooler, and the evenings are beginning to get darker. There is a fresh, earthy scent in the air, and fallen leaves have carpeted driveways, lawns, pathways, and sidewalks. Halloween 1961 is quickly approaching.

In America, the song "Hit The Road Jack" by Ray Charles is at the top of the singles charts, while "Walkin' Back To Happiness" by Helen Shapiro is the number-one song in the UK. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the President of the United States, and the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's 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 "The Jack Benny Program", "Perry Mason", "Danger Man", and "Hazel". 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. A musical romantic drama film called "West Side Story" is currently being shown in movie theaters. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Ernie Kovacs and Marilyn Monroe would be still alive.

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Looney Tunes", "The Gumby Show", "The Huckleberry Hound Show", and "The Dick Tracy Show". Children are playing with toys such as Playpal dolls, Barbie, Tonka trucks, and Ken (doll).

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on October 21, 1961.

  • The USA is escalating its involvement in the Vietnam War.

    The USA is escalating its involvement in the Vietnam War

    The United States was slowly escalating its involvement in the Vietnam War. In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy ordered helicopters and 400 Green Berets into South Vietnam. Covert operations against the communist forces in the north were also authorized. By 1963, the number of US military personnel in the country had grown to 10,000.
  • 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.
  • 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 October 21, 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 October 21, 1961.

  • September 25, 1961: The film "The Hustler" is released.
  • September 28, 1961:
    • The first episode of the sitcom "Hazel", starring Shirley Booth, is aired on TV.
    • The United Arab Republic breaks up after disgruntled Syrian Army officers stage a coup.
  • October 1, 1961: Elvis Presley releases his song "Can't Help Falling in Love".
  • October 9, 1961: Baseball: The New York Yankees defeat the Cincinnati Reds by 4-1 to win the 1961 World Series.
  • October 11, 1961: The Biblical film "King of Kings" is released in movie theaters.
  • October 12, 1961: New Zealand abolishes the death penalty.
  • October 14, 1961: Golf: The United States wins the 1961 Ryder Cup at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in Lytham St Annes, England.
  • October 18, 1961: The musical film "West Side Story" is released.
  • This date: October 21, 1961
  • October 30, 1961: Tsar Bomba: The Soviet Union detonates a 58-megaton hydrogen bomb over Novaya Zemlya.
  • November 8, 1961: 77 people are killed when Imperial Airlines Flight 201/8 crashes in Richmond, Virginia.
  • November 17, 1961: The song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is released by doo-wop group the Tokens.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on October 21, 1961, will have the star sign Libra.
  • 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 3.
  • Native American Zodiac: October 21, 1961 falls under the Raven.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of October will have the birthstones Tourmaline and Opal.
  • Birth flower (October): The Marigold and the Cosmos.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in October 1961

People in October 1961 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from October 1961.

Hazel
Hazel
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
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 October 1961

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

Top Cat
Top Cat
Davey and Goliath
Davey and Goliath
The Yogi Bear Show
The Yogi Bear Show

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
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
Noggin the Nog
Noggin the Nog
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

If you were a child on this date, then you may have had some of the following toys:

Ken (doll)
Ken (doll)
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 October 21, 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 October 21, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on October 21.

Judge Judy

Judge Judy

Judge / TV personality
Born on October 21, 1942
She turned 19 on this day in 1961.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister
Born on October 21, 1949
He turned 12 on this day in 1961.

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher

Actress Deceased
Born on October 21, 1956
She turned 5 on this day in 1961.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Television personality
Born on October 21, 1980
She was born exactly 19 years after this date.

Doja Cat

Doja Cat

Rapper and singer
Born on October 21, 1995
She was born exactly 34 years after this date.

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on October 21, 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 October 21, 1961 was most likely conceived around January 28, 1961.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on October 21, 1961 is close to July 14, 1962.

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Stats for October 21, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about October 21, 1961:

  • 22,804 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,257 weeks have passed.
  • 1,970,269,200 seconds have passed since October 21, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,298,647,400 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,016,658,907,200 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 328,378,200 times.
  • You have taken approximately 169,443,151 steps. That's roughly 75,308 miles!
  • Since this date, 23,643,230 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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