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December 16th, 1961.

December 16th, 1961, was a Saturday. It was day 350 of 1961. The decade was the Swinging Sixties.

61 years, 3 months and 16 days have passed since December 16th, 1961.

The zodiac star sign for this date is Sagittarius.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on December 16th, 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.
Birthdays

Born on December 16th, 1961.

People who were born on this exact date.

Song charts

Top songs.

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on December 16th, 1961.

  • United States: Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
  • United Kingdom: Tower Of Strength - Frankie Vaughan

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 16th, 1961.

A list of songs that were dominating the music charts on this date.

  • The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens
  • Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
  • Run To Him - Bobby Vee
  • The Twist - Chubby Checker
  • Walk On By - Leroy Van Dyke
Play the top hits 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.
King of Kings

Top movie.

The movie "King of Kings" was at the top of the Box Office on this day.

Take me back to December 16th, 1961!

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is December 16th, 1961, and it's a Saturday. Anyone born today will have the star sign Sagittarius. Currently, people are enjoying their weekend.

The Christmas season of 1961 is in full swing. People are putting up their decorations and festive songs are playing on the radio. In America, the song Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes is on top of the singles charts. Over in the UK, Tower Of Strength by Frankie Vaughan is the number one hit song.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy is currently the President of the United States, and the movie King of Kings is at the top of the Box Office. In the United Kingdom, Harold Macmillan is the current Prime Minister. 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 Marilyn Monroe would be still alive.

On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "The Ed Sullivan Show", "Gunsmoke", "The Untouchables" and "The Andy Griffith Show". Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "The Gumby Show", "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends", "Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse" and "Top Cat". If you're a kid or a teenager, then you're probably playing with toys such as BAS-KET Miniature Basketball, the Hula Hoop, Crater Critters and Matchbox toy cars.

News

News topics, nostalgic fads, and pop culture events.

These are trending news stories and fads that were prevalent at this time. These are topics that would have been in the media on December 16th, 1961.

  • The USA is escalating its involvement in the Vietnam War.

    The USA is escalating its involvement in the Vietnam War.

    During this time, the United States was slowly escalating its involvement in the Vietnam War. In May of 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 in 1961?

    Who were the best football players in 1961?

    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 as the Time Person of the Year in 1961.

  • Rotary phones.

    Rotary phones.

    During the first half of the 1960s, 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 was a popular style around this time. The design looked futuristic, almost like the twin rudders on the back of an airplane.

  • Greasers.

    Greasers.

    During the 1950s and early 1960s, a popular youth subculture called "greasers" emerged. 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.

Information

Facts.

Basic facts and information about this date:

  • This date fell on a weekend.
  • 61 years, 3 months and 16 days have passed since December 16th, 1961.
  • Week Number: This date occurred during Week 50 of 1961.
  • Leap Year: 1961 was not a leap year.
  • Age: A person born on December 16th, 1961 will be 61 years old.
  • Generation: People born in 1961 belong to the Baby Boomer generation.

Personality traits.

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on December 16th, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

Around this time.

Notable events that happened close to December 16th, 1961.

  • November 17th, 1961: The song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is released by doo-wop group the Tokens.
  • November 22nd, 1961: The film "Blue Hawaii", starring Elvis Presley and Joan Blackman, is released in movie theaters.
  • December 2nd, 1961: Fidel Castro announces that Cuba will be adopting Communism.
  • December 4th, 1961: Boxing: Floyd Patterson retains the heavyweight championship after he knocks out Tom McNeeley in the 4th round.
  • December 6th, 1961: The historical film "El Cid" is released.
  • December 9th, 1961: Domino's Pizza is founded in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
  • December 14th, 1961: 20 children are killed after a school bus collides with a train in Greeley, Colorado.
  • December 15th, 1961: Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann is sentenced to death.
  • December 15th, 1961: US President John F. Kennedy leaves for a tour of South America "despite reports of anti-US feelings".
  • This date: December 16th, 1961
  • December 17th, 1961: 503 people are killed after a fire breaks out in a crowded circus tent in Niterói, Brazil.
  • December 20th, 1961: The romantic comedy film "Lover Come Back" is released.
  • December 31st, 1961: NFL: The Green Bay Packers defeat the New York Giants by 37-0 to win the 1961 NFL Championship Game.
  • January 1st, 1962: The United States Navy SEALs are founded.
  • January 3rd, 1962: Cuban prime minister Fidel Castro is excommunicated by the Catholic Church for preaching Communism.
  • January 8th, 1962: 93 people die after two trains collide at a railway junction in Harmelen in the Netherlands.
  • January 10th, 1962: 4000 people die after an avalanche occurs at the Huascarán mountain in Peru.
Zodiac info

Horoscope, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Zodiac and birthstone information.

NEW! Check out our personality summary image for this birth date.

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 16th, 1961, will have the star sign Sagittarius.
  • 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: December 16th, 1961 falls under the Owl.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of December will have the birthstones Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise.
  • Birth flower (December): The Narcissus and the Holly.

Photos of 1960s fashion.

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

Photos of 1960s fashion.

Television shows

TV shows in 1961.

Television shows that people were watching in December, 1961.

TV shows from December, 1961.

Hazel
Hazel
Sitcom about a live-in maid called Hazel Burke.

Route 66
Route 66
Adventure crime drama.

The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Comedy TV series about a sheriff in Mayberry, North Carolina.

Danger Man
Danger Man
British television series about a secret agent working for NATO.

The Untouchables
The Untouchables
American crime drama.

The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
TV series about disturbing or unusual events.

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
American sitcom about a teenager who strives for beautiful women, fancy cars and money.

Bonanza
Bonanza
American Western series.

Rawhide
Rawhide
American western series starring Eric Fleming and Clint Eastwood.

77 Sunset Strip
77 Sunset Strip
Private detective drama series.

Maverick
Maverick
American Western series about two brothers called Bret and Bart Maverick.

Perry Mason
Perry Mason
Legal drama series.

Wagon Train
Wagon Train
American western series.

Have Gun - Will Travel
Have Gun - Will Travel
American western series.

Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
Talk show hosted by Jack Paar.

Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
Western drama series.

The Danny Thomas Show
The Danny Thomas Show
American sitcom about a successful nightclub singer.

The Jack Benny Program
The Jack Benny Program
25-minute-long situation comedy series that broadcast on CBS.

What's My Line?
What's My Line?
Panel game show.

The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
Variety 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

Kids' TV shows on December 16th, 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

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 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

Popular toys and games in 1961.

Toys and games that were popular on this date 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

The Frisbee
The Frisbee

Wooly Willy
Wooly Willy

BAS-KET Miniature Basketball
BAS-KET Miniature Basketball

Were you born on this date?

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 December 16th, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays.

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 16th.

Xander Berkeley

Actor.
Born on December 16th, 1955
He turned 6 on this day in 1961.

Mats Hummels

German soccer player.
Born on December 16th, 1988
He was born exactly 27 years after this date.

USA

US President.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on December 16th, 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 December 16th, 1961 was most likely conceived around March 25th, 1961.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 16th, 1961 is close to September 8th, 1962.

Post a comment about this date.

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

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How old was I?

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Stats for December 16th, 1961

Time difference & statistics.

Here are some fun statistics about December 16th, 1961.

  • A total of 22,387 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,198 weeks have passed.
  • 1,934,233,200 seconds have passed since the December 16th, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beated approximately 2,256,605,400 times.
  • Since December 16th, 1961, the Earth has travelled approximately 998,064,331,200 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 322,372,200 times.
  • If you were born on this day, you have taken approximately 166,344,055 steps. That's about 73,931 miles!
  • Since this date, 23,210,798 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere!
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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