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November 8, 1961

November 8, 1961, was a Wednesday. It was 62 years, 10 months, and 28 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Scorpio.

On This Day

What happened?

What happened on November 8, 1961?

  • 77 people are killed when Imperial Airlines Flight 201/8 crashes in Richmond, Virginia.
Birthdays

Born on November 8, 1961

People who were born on this exact date:

Song charts

Music charts

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on November 8, 1961:

  • United States: "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean
  • United Kingdom: "Little Sister / His Latest Flame" by Elvis Presley

The Billboard Hot 100 on November 8, 1961

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

  • Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
  • Runaround Sue - Dion
  • Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
  • Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles and his Orchestra
  • Fool #1 - Brenda Lee
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.
Breakfast at Tiffany's

Top movie at the box office

The movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was at the top of the box office on November 8, 1961.

Facts

This date was 22,979 days ago. Approximately 766 months have passed. It was the 312th day of 1961, in week 45. The decade was the swinging sixties. People born on this day are currently 62 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. The Earth has experienced 255 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to November 8, 1961

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

It is Wednesday, November 8, 1961. Anyone born today will have the star sign Scorpio. It is "Hump Day", so many are beginning to think about the weekend ahead.

It's November, so the evenings are getting darker and the days are getting colder. In America, the song "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean is at the top of the singles charts, while "Little Sister / His Latest Flame" by Elvis Presley 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. 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 "What's My Line?", "The Jack Benny Program", "Tonight Starring Jack Paar", and "Rawhide".

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Lassie", "Captain Kangaroo", "Captain Pugwash", and "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis". Popular toys at the moment include BAS-KET Miniature Basketball, Barbie, Tonka trucks, and Etch A Sketch.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on November 8, 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 November 8, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to November 8, 1961.

  • 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: November 8, 1961
  • 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.
  • December 2, 1961: Fidel Castro announces that Cuba will be adopting Communism.
  • December 4, 1961: Boxing: Floyd Patterson retains the heavyweight championship after he knocks out Tom McNeeley in the 4th round.
  • December 6, 1961: The historical film "El Cid" is released.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on November 8, 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 9.
  • Native American Zodiac: November 8, 1961 falls under the Snake.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of November will have the birthstones Topaz and Citrine.
  • Birth flower (November): The Chrysanthemum.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV shows in 1961

The following TV shows were popular in November 1961:

TV shows from November 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

Kids TV shows on November 8, 1961

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

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

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 November 8, 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 November 8, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on November 8.

Bram Stoker

Bram Stoker

Author Deceased
Born on November 8, 1847
He was not alive on this date.

Joseph James DeAngelo

Joseph James DeAngelo

Serial killer
Born on November 8, 1945
He turned 16 on this day in 1961.

Gordon Ramsay

Gordon Ramsay

Celebrity chef
Born on November 8, 1966
He was born exactly 5 years after this date.

Tara Reid

Tara Reid

Actress
Born on November 8, 1975
She was born exactly 14 years after this date.

Dania Ramirez

Dania Ramirez

Actress
Born on November 8, 1979
She was born exactly 18 years after this date.

Aaron Swartz

Aaron Swartz

Programmer and Internet hacktivist Deceased
Born on November 8, 1986
He was born exactly 25 years after this date.

Sophie Kasaei

Sophie Kasaei

TV personality
Born on November 8, 1989
She was born exactly 28 years after this date.

SZA

SZA

Singer
Born on November 8, 1989
She was born exactly 28 years after this date.

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on November 8, 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 November 8, 1961 was most likely conceived around February 15, 1961.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on November 8, 1961 is close to August 1, 1962.

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Stats for November 8, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about November 8, 1961:

  • 22,979 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,282 weeks have passed.
  • 1,985,382,000 seconds have passed since November 8, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,316,279,000 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,024,457,112,000 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 330,897,000 times.
  • You have taken approximately 170,742,852 steps. That's roughly 75,886 miles.
  • 23,824,584 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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