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July 4, 1961 Independence Day (USA)

July 4, 1961, was a Tuesday. It was 63 years, 5 months, and 18 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Cancer.

Song charts

Music charts

Songs that were on top of the charts in the USA and the United Kingdom on July 4, 1961:

  • United States: "Quarter Three" by Gary U.S. Bonds
  • United Kingdom: "Runaway" by Del Shannon

The Billboard Hot 100 on July 4, 1961

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

  • Quarter To Three - U.S. Bonds
  • Tossin' And Turnin' - Bobby Lewis
  • The Boll Weevil Song - Brook Benton
  • Raindrops - Dee Clark
  • The Writing On The Wall - Adam Wade
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 Pleasure of His Company

Top movie at the box office

The movie "The Pleasure of His Company" was at the top of the box office on July 4, 1961.

Facts

Independence Day 1961 was 23,182 days ago. Approximately 773 months have passed. It was the 185th day of 1961, in week 27. 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 258 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to July 4, 1961

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

It is Tuesday, July 4, 1961. Anyone born today will have the star sign Cancer. America is celebrating the 4th of July, which means that fireworks are being set off and families are holding barbeques together.

The summer of 1961 is in full swing. The weather is warm, and the evenings are brighter than usual. Most schools and colleges are now finished until August or September. In America, the song "Quarter Three" by Gary U.S. Bonds is at the top of the singles charts, while "Runaway" by Del Shannon is the number-one song in the UK. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the President of the United States, and the movie The Pleasure of His Company 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. The films "The Guns of Navarone" and "The Parent Trap" are 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.

On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "Gunsmoke", "Bonanza", "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis", and "The Andy Griffith Show". Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "The Rifleman", "Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks", "Snooper and Blabber", and "Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse". Popular toys at the moment include Playpal dolls, Barbie, Matchbox toy cars, and Etch A Sketch.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on July 4, 1961, will have the star sign Cancer.
  • Zodiac Element: Water.
  • 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: July 4, 1961 falls under the Woodpecker.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of July will have the birthstone Ruby.
  • Birth flower (July): The Larkspur and the Water Lily.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on July 4, 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 July 4, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to July 4, 1961.

  • June 8, 1961: Marvin Gaye releases his debut studio album.
  • June 16, 1961: Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev requests asylum in France.
  • June 18, 1961: The final episode of the Western drama series "Gunsmoke" is aired on radio.
  • June 21, 1961: Walt Disney's romantic comedy film "The Parent Trap" is released in movie theaters.
  • June 22, 1961: The war film "The Guns of Navarone" is released in movie theaters.
  • July 2, 1961: American novelist Ernest Hemingway commits suicide at the age of 61.
  • This date: July 4, 1961
  • July 8, 1961: 108 people are killed by a mine explosion in Czechoslovakia.
  • July 12, 1961: 72 people lose their lives after ČSA Flight 511 crashes near Casablanca-Anfa Airport in Morocco.
  • July 19, 1961: Bizerte crisis: Tunisia attempts to force an evacuation of the French naval base at Bizerte by imposing a blockade on it.
  • July 23, 1961: French forces retake the port town of Bizerte following a blockade by Tunisian forces.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV shows in 1961

Television shows that people were watching in July 1961:

TV shows from July 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 July 4, 1961

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

Davey and Goliath
Davey and Goliath
The Yogi Bear Show
The Yogi Bear Show
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
Toys

Popular toys and games in 1961

Toys and games that were popular in 1961:

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

Were you born on July 4, 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 July 4, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on July 4.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Author Deceased
Born on July 4, 1804
He was not alive on this date.

Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge

US President Deceased
Born on July 4, 1872
He was not alive on this date.

Mike Sorrentino

Mike Sorrentino

Television personality
Born on July 4, 1982
He was born exactly 21 years after this date.

Melissa Barrera

Melissa Barrera

Actress
Born on July 4, 1990
She was born exactly 29 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on July 4:

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on July 4, 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 July 4, 1961 was most likely conceived around October 11, 1960.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on July 4, 1961 is close to March 27, 1962.

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Stats for July 4, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about July 4, 1961:

  • 23,182 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,311 weeks have passed.
  • 2,002,928,400 seconds have passed since July 4, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,336,749,800 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,033,511,054,400 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 333,821,400 times.
  • You have taken approximately 172,251,842 steps. That's roughly 76,556 miles.
  • 24,035,141 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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