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January 16, 1961

January 16, 1961, was a Monday. It was 63 years, 11 months, and 6 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Capricorn.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on January 16, 1961:

  • Mickey Mantle becomes the highest paid player in baseball after he signs a $75,000 contract with the New York Yankees.
Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on January 16, 1961:

  • United States: "Wonderland By Night" by Bert Kaempfert
  • United Kingdom: "Poetry In Motion" by Johnny Tillotson

The Billboard Hot 100 on January 16, 1961

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Wonderland By Night - Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra
  • Are You Lonesome To-night? - Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
  • Exodus - Ferrante & Teicher
  • Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles
  • Calcutta - Lawrence Welk And His Orchestra
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.
Spartacus

Top movie

The movie "Spartacus" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date was 23,351 days ago. Approximately 778 months have passed. It was the 16th day of 1961, in week 03. The decade was the swinging sixties. People born on this day are currently 63 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. We have gone through approximately 259 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to January 16, 1961

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Monday, January 16, 1961. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Capricorn. The weekend has just passed, so some people are feeling a bit down. Others are tired after partying too much.

The holiday season of 1960 seems like a distant memory. New year's resolutions are already being abandoned, and many are eagerly awaiting their first paycheck after Christmas In America, the song "Wonderland By Night" by Bert Kaempfert is at the top of the singles charts, while "Poetry In Motion" by Johnny Tillotson is the number-one song in the UK. Dwight David Eisenhower is the President of the United States, and the movie Spartacus 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 "The Ed Sullivan Show", "You Bet Your Life", "The Danny Thomas Show", and "Perry Mason".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Mighty Mouse Playhouse", "The Gumby Show", "Captain Pugwash", and "Dennis the Menace". Popular toys at the moment include Fisher Price Little People, Matchbox toy cars, Tonka trucks, and Astrobase.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on January 16, 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 7.
  • Native American Zodiac: January 16, 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.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on January 16, 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 16, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to January 16, 1961.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • This date: January 16, 1961
  • 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".
  • 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.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV series on January 16, 1961

TV audiences were watching the following shows on January 16, 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

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 January 16, 1961

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

Mister Ed
Mister Ed
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
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

Were you born on January 16, 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 16, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on January 16.

Roy Jones Jr.

Roy Jones Jr.

Boxer
Born on January 16, 1969
He was born exactly 8 years after this date.

Kate Moss

Kate Moss

Model
Born on January 16, 1974
She was born exactly 13 years after this date.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah

Singer Deceased
Born on January 16, 1979
She was born exactly 18 years after this date.

Jennie Kim

Jennie Kim

South Korean singer
Born on January 16, 1996
She was born exactly 35 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on January 16:

USA

US President

Dwight David Eisenhower was the President of the United States on January 16, 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 16, 1961 was most likely conceived around April 25, 1960.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on January 16, 1961 is close to October 9, 1961.

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Stats for January 16, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about January 16, 1961:

  • 23,351 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,335 weeks have passed.
  • 2,017,526,400 seconds have passed since January 16, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,353,780,800 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,041,043,622,400 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 336,254,400 times.
  • You have taken approximately 173,507,270 steps. That's roughly 77,114 miles.
  • 24,210,317 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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