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November 20, 1961

November 20, 1961, was a Monday. It was 63 years, 1 month, and 1 day ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Scorpio.

Song charts

Top songs

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

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean
  • Runaround Sue - Dion
  • Fool #1 - Brenda Lee
  • Goodbye Cruel World - James Darren
  • Bristol Stomp - The Dovells
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

The top movie on this day was "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

Facts

This date was 23,042 days ago. Approximately 768 months have passed. It was the 324th day of 1961, in week 47. The decade was the swinging sixties. The start of 1962 was just 41 days away. People born on this day are currently 63 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. 256 seasons of weather have come and gone since then.

Take me back to November 20, 1961

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Monday, November 20, 1961. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Scorpio. The weekend has just passed, so some people are feeling a bit down. Others are tired after partying too much.

In America, Thanksgiving 1961 is just around the corner. 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 "The Jack Benny Program", "Tonight Starring Jack Paar", "Wagon Train", and "Perry Mason". Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Tom and Jerry", "Captain Kangaroo", "Dennis the Menace", and "The Yogi Bear Show". Popular toys at the moment include Wooly Willy, Fisher Price Little People, Playpal dolls, and Ken (doll).

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on November 20, 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 3.
  • Native American Zodiac: November 20, 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.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

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

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to November 20, 1961.

  • 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.
  • November 17, 1961: The song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is released by doo-wop group the Tokens.
  • This date: November 20, 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.
  • December 20, 1961: The romantic comedy film "Lover Come Back" is released.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV series on November 20, 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

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 20, 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 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 November 20, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

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

Robert F. Kennedy

Robert F. Kennedy

American politician Deceased
Born on November 20, 1925
He turned 36 on this day in 1961.

Joe Biden

Joe Biden

US President
Born on November 20, 1942
He turned 19 on this day in 1961.

Mike D

Mike D

Beastie Boys
Born on November 20, 1965
He was born exactly 4 years after this date.

Kimberley Walsh

Kimberley Walsh

Girls Aloud
Born on November 20, 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 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 November 20, 1961 was most likely conceived around February 27, 1961.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on November 20, 1961 is close to August 13, 1962.

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Stats for November 20, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about November 20, 1961:

  • 23,042 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,291 weeks have passed.
  • 1,990,828,800 seconds have passed since November 20, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,322,633,600 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,027,267,660,800 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 331,804,800 times.
  • You have taken approximately 171,211,277 steps. That's roughly 76,094 miles.
  • 23,889,946 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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