BestOfDate

October 31, 1961 Halloween

October 31, 1961, was a Tuesday. It was 62 years, 11 months, and 5 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Scorpio.

Birthdays

Born on October 31, 1961

People who were born on this exact date:

Song charts

Popular songs

On October 31, 1961, the following songs were at the top of the music charts in the USA and the UK:

  • United States: "Runaround Sue" by Dion
  • United Kingdom: "Walkin' Back To Happiness" by Helen Shapiro

The music charts on October 31, 1961

The following songs were dominating the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • Runaround Sue - Dion
  • Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
  • Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
  • Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles and his Orchestra
  • I Love How You Love Me - The Paris Sisters
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

Halloween 1961 occurred 22,986 days ago. Approximately 766 months have passed. It was the 304th day of 1961, in week 44. The decade was the swinging sixties. People who were born on October 31, 1961, are now 62 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. 255 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to October 31, 1961

Let's go back to the swinging sixties.

The date is October 31, 1961, and it's a Tuesday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Scorpio. 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. It's Halloween, so kids are trick-or-treating and adults are watching horror movies. In America, the song "Runaround Sue" by Dion 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 "What's My Line?", "The Danny Thomas Show", "Maverick", and "Danger Man".

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", "Lassie", "Leave It to Beaver", and "Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse".

Children are playing with toys such as the Frisbee, the Hula Hoop, Barbie, and Troll doll.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on October 31, 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 31, 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 31, 1961.

  • 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.
  • October 30, 1961: Tsar Bomba: The Soviet Union detonates a 58-megaton hydrogen bomb over Novaya Zemlya.
  • This date: October 31, 1961
  • 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.
  • November 22, 1961: The film "Blue Hawaii", starring Elvis Presley and Joan Blackman, is released in movie theaters.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on October 31, 1961, will have the star sign Scorpio.
  • 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 4.
  • Native American Zodiac: October 31, 1961 falls under the Snake.
  • 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

In October 1961, TV audiences were watching the following 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

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

If you were a kid on October 31, 1961, then you were probably watching the following cartoons and TV shows:

Top Cat
Top Cat
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
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

Were you born on October 31, 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 31, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on October 31.

John Candy

John Candy

Actor Deceased
Born on October 31, 1950
He turned 11 on this day in 1961.

Rob Schneider

Rob Schneider

Actor
Born on October 31, 1963
He was born exactly 2 years after this date.

Ad-Rock

Ad-Rock

Beastie Boys
Born on October 31, 1966
He was born exactly 5 years after this date.

Vanilla Ice

Vanilla Ice

Rapper
Born on October 31, 1967
He was born exactly 6 years after this date.

Emiliano Sala

Emiliano Sala

Argentine soccer player Deceased
Born on October 31, 1990
He was born exactly 29 years after this date.

Letitia Wright

Letitia Wright

Actress
Born on October 31, 1993
She was born exactly 32 years after this date.

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford

Soccer player
Born on October 31, 1997
He was born exactly 36 years after this date.

Willow Smith

Willow Smith

Singer
Born on October 31, 2000
She was born exactly 39 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on October 31:

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on October 31, 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 31, 1961 was most likely conceived around February 7, 1961.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on October 31, 1961 is close to July 24, 1962.

Submit a comment

Have something to say about this date? Was it your birthday? Or perhaps you have a memory of it?

All comments are moderated. Our system may automatically edit comments to correct misspellings and grammar. We may also remove or redact personal information.

How old was I?

Find out what your age was on October 31, 1961, by entering your date of birth below.
This information is not sent to our server.

Stats for October 31, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about October 31, 1961:

  • 22,986 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,283 weeks have passed.
  • 1,985,986,800 seconds have passed since October 31, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,316,984,600 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,024,769,188,800 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 330,997,800 times.
  • You have taken approximately 170,794,865 steps. That's roughly 75,909 miles.
  • 23,831,842 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

Search

It looks like you have reached the end. Try searching for another date.

Random

Random dates

Check out some of these random dates.