May 17th, 1961, was a Wednesday. It was Day 137 of 1961. The decade was the Swinging Sixties.
62 years and 21 days have passed since May 17th, 1961.
The zodiac star sign for this date is Taurus.
People who were born on this exact date.
These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on May 17th, 1961.
A list of songs that were dominating the music charts on this date:
The movie "The Absent-Minded Professor" was at the top of the box office on this day.
Let's take a walk down memory lane.
The date is May 17th, 1961, and it's a Wednesday. Anyone born today will have the star sign Taurus. The summer of 1961 has finally arrived. The weather has warmed up, and the evenings are brighter than usual.
In America, the song Runaway by Del Shannon is at the top of the singles charts. Over in the UK, On The Rebound by Floyd Cramer is the number-one hit song. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the President of the United States, and the movie The Absent-Minded Professor 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 "What's My Line?", "Have Gun - Will Travel", "77 Sunset Strip", and "The Untouchables". 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 and Marilyn Monroe would be still alive.
Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown", "Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy", "Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse", and "King Leonardo and His Short Subjects". Children are playing with toys such as Wooly Willy, Crater Critters, Barbie, and Etch A Sketch.
These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on May 17th, 1961.
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.
In 1961, the best NBA players were Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Pettit, Bob Cousy and Oscar Robertson.
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.
The film "West Side Story" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1961.
The song "Moon River" by Henry Mancini won a Grammy for 1961's Song of the Year.
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.
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.
US President John F. Kennedy was named Time Person of the Year in 1961.
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 were a popular style around this time. The design looked futuristic, almost like the twin rudders on the back of an airplane.
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 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.
Basic facts and information about this date:
Check out our personality summary for people who were born on May 17th, 1961.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around May 17th, 1961.
Zodiac and birthstone information.
NEW! Check out our personality summary image for this birth date.
Television shows that people were watching in May 1961.
Route 66
Adventure crime drama.
The Andy Griffith Show
Comedy TV series about a sheriff in Mayberry, North Carolina.
Danger Man
British television series about a secret agent working for NATO.
The Untouchables
American crime drama.
The Twilight Zone
TV series about disturbing or unusual events.
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
American sitcom about a teenager who strives for beautiful women, fancy cars and money.
Bonanza
American Western series.
Rawhide
American western series starring Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood.
77 Sunset Strip
Private detective drama series.
Maverick
American Western series about two brothers called Bret and Bart Maverick.
Perry Mason
Legal drama series.
Wagon Train
American western series.
Have Gun - Will Travel
American western series.
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Talk show hosted by Jack Paar.
Gunsmoke
Western drama series.
The Danny Thomas Show
American sitcom about a successful nightclub singer.
The Jack Benny Program
25-minute-long situation comedy series that broadcast on CBS.
You Bet Your Life
Comedy quiz series hosted by Groucho Marx.
What's My Line?
Panel game show.
The Ed Sullivan Show
Variety show.
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.
Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1961.
Davey and Goliath
The Yogi Bear Show
Mister Ed
King Leonardo and His Short Subjects
The Bugs Bunny Show
The Flintstones
My Three Sons
Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends
Dennis the Menace
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
Snooper and Blabber
Noggin the Nog
Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks
Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown
The Rifleman
The Huckleberry Hound Show
The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole
Leave It to Beaver
Captain Pugwash
Heckle and Jeckle
The Gumby Show
Mighty Mouse Playhouse
Captain Kangaroo
Lassie
Tom and Jerry
Looney Tunes
Toys and games that were popular on this date in 1961.
Ken (doll)
Etch A Sketch
Astrobase
Troll doll
Tonka trucks
Matchbox toy cars
Barbie
Playpal dolls
Crater Critters
Fisher Price Little People
The Hula Hoop
Metal House robots
The Frisbee
Wooly Willy
BAS-KET Miniature Basketball
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 May 17th, 1967, instead.
Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on May 17th.
Actor. Deceased
Born on May 17th, 1936
He turned 25 on this day in 1961.
Actor. Deceased
Born on May 17th, 1955
He turned 6 on this day in 1961.
Comedian / Actor. Deceased
Born on May 17th, 1956
He turned 5 on this day in 1961.
Boxer.
Born on May 17th, 1956
He turned 5 on this day in 1961.
Actor.
Born on May 17th, 1986
He was born exactly 25 years after this date.
English TV personality.
Born on May 17th, 1990
She was born exactly 29 years after this date.
National holidays and famous events that fall on the 17th of May.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on May 17th, 1961.
Harold Macmillan was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Seán Lemass was the Taoiseach of Ireland.
Conception estimates for this date.
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