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November 17, 1961

November 17, 1961, was a Friday. It was the 321st day of 1961. The decade was the swinging sixties.

62 years, 4 months, and 11 days have passed since November 17, 1961.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Scorpio.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on November 17, 1961:

  • The song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is released by doo-wop group the Tokens.
Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on November 17, 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 17, 1961

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
  • Runaround Sue - Dion
  • Fool #1 - Brenda Lee
  • Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
  • Tower Of Strength - Gene McDaniels
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 movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date occurred 22,777 days ago. Approximately 759 months have passed. It was the 321st day of 1961, in week 46. The decade was the swinging sixties. The end of 1961 was just 44 days away. People who were born on November 17, 1961, are now 62 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. We have gone through approximately 253 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to November 17, 1961

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is November 17, 1961, and it's a Friday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Scorpio. Many people have "that Friday feeling" and are looking forward to the weekend.

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. On television, people are watching popular shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show", "The Danny Thomas Show", "Maverick", and "77 Sunset Strip". 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.

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Looney Tunes", "Dennis the Menace", "Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse", and "My Three Sons". Children are playing with toys such as BAS-KET Miniature Basketball, the Frisbee, Playpal dolls, and Ken (doll).

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on November 17, 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 17, 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 November 17, 1961.

  • 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.
  • November 8, 1961: 77 people are killed when Imperial Airlines Flight 201/8 crashes in Richmond, Virginia.
  • This date: November 17, 1961
  • 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.
  • December 9, 1961: Domino's Pizza is founded in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
  • December 14, 1961: 20 children are killed after a school bus collides with a train in Greeley, Colorado.
  • December 15, 1961:
    • Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann is sentenced to death.
    • US President John F. Kennedy leaves for a tour of South America "despite reports of anti-US feelings".
  • December 16, 1961:
    • US President John F. Kennedy visits Venezuela despite threats of violence from left-wing groups.
    • UN troops capture the main Katangan base in Elisabethville in the Congo.
  • December 17, 1961: 503 people are killed after a fire breaks out in a crowded circus tent in Niterói, Brazil.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on November 17, 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 17, 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 series on November 17, 1961

People in November 1961 were watching the following TV series:

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
Wagon Train
Wagon Train
Have Gun - Will Travel
Have Gun - Will Travel
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
The Danny Thomas Show
The Danny Thomas Show
The Jack Benny Program
The Jack Benny Program
What's My Line?
What's My Line?
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show

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 November 1961

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

Top Cat
Top Cat
Davey and Goliath
Davey and Goliath
The Yogi Bear Show
The Yogi Bear Show

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
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
Noggin the Nog
Noggin the Nog
Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown
Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown
The Rifleman
The Rifleman
The Huckleberry Hound Show
The Huckleberry Hound Show
The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole
The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole
Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver
Captain Pugwash
Captain Pugwash
Heckle and Jeckle
Heckle and Jeckle
The Gumby Show
The Gumby Show
Mighty Mouse Playhouse
Mighty Mouse Playhouse
Captain Kangaroo
Captain Kangaroo
Lassie
Lassie
Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Toys

Toys in 1961

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

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
The Frisbee
The Frisbee
Wooly Willy
Wooly Willy
BAS-KET Miniature Basketball
BAS-KET Miniature Basketball

Were you born on November 17, 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 17, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on November 17.

Rock Hudson

Rock Hudson

Actor Deceased
Born on November 17, 1925
He turned 36 on this day in 1961.

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese

Film director
Born on November 17, 1942
He turned 19 on this day in 1961.

Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito

Actor
Born on November 17, 1944
He turned 17 on this day in 1961.

John Boehner

John Boehner

American politician
Born on November 17, 1949
He turned 12 on this day in 1961.

Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Ross

Television presenter
Born on November 17, 1960
He turned 1 on this day in 1961.

Jeff Buckley

Jeff Buckley

Musician Deceased
Born on November 17, 1966
He was born exactly 5 years after this date.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams

Actress
Born on November 17, 1978
She was born exactly 17 years after this date.

Isaac Hanson

Isaac Hanson

Musician
Born on November 17, 1980
He was born exactly 19 years after this date.

Sarah Harding

Sarah Harding

English singer Deceased
Born on November 17, 1981
She was born exactly 20 years after this date.

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on November 17, 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 17, 1961 was most likely conceived around February 24, 1961.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on November 17, 1961 is close to August 10, 1962.

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Stats for November 17, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about November 17, 1961:

  • 22,777 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,253 weeks have passed.
  • 1,967,932,800 seconds have passed since November 17, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,295,921,600 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,015,453,324,800 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 327,988,800 times.
  • You have taken approximately 169,242,221 steps. That's roughly 75,219 miles!
  • Since this date, 23,615,194 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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