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August 20, 1961

August 20, 1961, was a Sunday. It was 62 years, 7 months, and 28 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Leo.

Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on August 20, 1961:

  • United States: "Tossin' And Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis
  • United Kingdom: "You Don't Know" by Helen Shapiro

The Billboard Hot 100 on August 20, 1961

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Tossin' And Turnin' - Bobby Lewis
  • Wooden Heart - Joe Dowell
  • Michael - The Highwaymen
  • Last Night - Mar-Keys
  • I Like It Like That, Part 1 - Chris Kenner
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 Guns of Navarone

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "The Guns of Navarone".

Facts

This date was 22,886 days ago. Approximately 763 months have passed. It was the 232nd day of 1961, in week 33. The decade was the swinging sixties. People born on this day are currently 62 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. 254 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to August 20, 1961

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Sunday, August 20, 1961. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Leo. People are currently enjoying their weekend. However, because it's a Sunday, some are dreading the days ahead.

The summer of 1961 is coming to an end and fall is just around the corner. In America, the song "Tossin' And Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis is at the top of the singles charts, while "You Don't Know" by Helen Shapiro is the number-one song in the UK. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the President of the United States, and the movie The Guns of Navarone 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 Ernie Kovacs and Marilyn Monroe would be still alive. On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "Gunsmoke", "Wagon Train", "Maverick", and "Danger Man".

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Lassie", "Captain Kangaroo", "The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole", and "Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown". Popular toys at the moment include BAS-KET Miniature Basketball, the Frisbee, Tonka trucks, and Troll doll.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on August 20, 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 August 20, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to August 20, 1961.

  • July 23, 1961: French forces retake the port town of Bizerte following a blockade by Tunisian forces.
  • August 9, 1961: The romantic comedy film "Come September" starts showing at movie theaters.
  • August 13, 1961: Construction of the Berlin Wall begins.
  • August 16, 1961: Roy Orbison releases his song "Crying".
  • This date: August 20, 1961
  • August 21, 1961:
    • The song "Please Mr. Postman" is released by The Marvelettes.
    • Western musician and TV personality Spade Cooley is found guilty of the murder of his wife Ella Mae.
  • August 22, 1961: German nurse Ida Siekmann becomes the first person to die at the Berlin Wall after she attempts to jump from her apartment building and flee to West Berlin.
  • August 31, 1961: Ann Marie Burr (8) goes missing from her home in Tacoma, Washington.
  • September 10, 1961: 15 people are killed when German F1 driver Wolfgang von Trips crashes into a stand in Monza, Italy.
  • September 18, 1961: UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld is killed in an air crash in Northern Rhodesia.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on August 20, 1961, will have the star sign Leo.
  • Zodiac Element: Fire.
  • 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: August 20, 1961 falls under the Salmon.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of August will have the birthstone Peridot.
  • Birth flower (August): The Gladiolus and the Poppy.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV series on August 20, 1961

People in August 1961 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from August 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 August 20, 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 August 20, 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 August 20, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on August 20.

Ron Paul

Ron Paul

US politician
Born on August 20, 1935
He turned 26 on this day in 1961.

Slobodan Milošević

Slobodan Milošević

Yugoslav and Serbian politician Deceased
Born on August 20, 1941
He turned 20 on this day in 1961.

Robert Plant

Robert Plant

Musician
Born on August 20, 1948
He turned 13 on this day in 1961.

Phil Lynott

Phil Lynott

Irish musician Deceased
Born on August 20, 1949
He turned 12 on this day in 1961.

Dimebag Darrell

Dimebag Darrell

Musician Deceased
Born on August 20, 1966
He was born exactly 5 years after this date.

Fred Durst

Fred Durst

Singer
Born on August 20, 1970
He was born exactly 9 years after this date.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato

Singer
Born on August 20, 1992
She was born exactly 31 years after this date.

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on August 20, 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 August 20, 1961 was most likely conceived around November 27, 1960.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on August 20, 1961 is close to May 13, 1962.

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Stats for August 20, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about August 20, 1961:

  • 22,886 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,269 weeks have passed.
  • 1,977,350,400 seconds have passed since August 20, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,306,908,800 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,020,312,806,400 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 329,558,400 times.
  • You have taken approximately 170,052,134 steps. That's roughly 75,579 miles.
  • 23,728,205 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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