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December 20, 1961

December 20, 1961, was a Wednesday. It was 63 years and 4 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Sagittarius.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on December 20, 1961:

  • The romantic comedy film "Lover Come Back" is released.
Song charts

Top songs

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

  • United States: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens
  • United Kingdom: "Tower Of Strength" by Frankie Vaughan

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 20, 1961

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • 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 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.
West Side Story

Top movie

The top movie on this day was "West Side Story".

Facts

This date was 23,015 days ago. Approximately 767 months have passed. It was the 354th day of 1961, in week 51. The decade was the swinging sixties. The start of 1962 was just 11 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 December 20, 1961

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

It is Wednesday, December 20, 1961. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Sagittarius. It is "Hump Day", so many are beginning to think about the weekend ahead.

Christmas Day of 1961 is fast approaching and the excitement is building. Department stores are packed with Christmas shoppers, and people are meeting up with friends that they haven't seen in a while. In America, the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by The Tokens is at the top of the singles charts, while "Tower Of Strength" by Frankie Vaughan is the number-one song in the UK. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the President of the United States, and the movie West Side Story 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 "Perry Mason", "Maverick", "Danger Man", and "Hazel".

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis", "The Bugs Bunny Show", "Mister Ed", and "The Yogi Bear Show". Popular toys at the moment include the Frisbee, Fisher Price Little People, Playpal dolls, and Tonka trucks.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 20, 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 4.
  • Native American Zodiac: December 20, 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.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

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

  • Christmas 1961 is days away.

    Christmas 1961 is days away

    Christmas 1961 was just days away. The decorations were up, festive music was playing on the radio, people were buying last-minute presents for their loved ones, and stores were packed with shoppers. Schools, colleges, and non-retail businesses were also beginning to close for the holiday season.
  • 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 December 20, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to December 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.
  • This date: December 20, 1961
  • December 31, 1961: NFL: The Green Bay Packers defeat the New York Giants by 37-0 to win the 1961 NFL Championship Game.
  • January 1, 1962: The United States Navy SEALs are founded.
  • January 3, 1962: Cuban prime minister Fidel Castro is excommunicated by the Catholic Church for preaching Communism.
  • January 8, 1962: 93 people die after two trains collide at a railway junction in Harmelen in the Netherlands.
  • January 10, 1962: 4000 people die after an avalanche occurs at the Huascarán mountain in Peru.
  • January 13, 1962: Comedian Ernie Kovacs dies in a car crash in Los Angeles.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV series on December 20, 1961

People in December 1961 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from December 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 December 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 December 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 December 20, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

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

John Spencer

John Spencer

Actor Deceased
Born on December 20, 1946
He turned 15 on this day in 1961.

Paul Ritter

Paul Ritter

English actor Deceased
Born on December 20, 1966
He was born exactly 5 years after this date.

Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole

Soccer player
Born on December 20, 1980
He was born exactly 19 years after this date.

Jonah Hill

Jonah Hill

Actor
Born on December 20, 1983
He was born exactly 22 years after this date.

Lucy Pinder

Lucy Pinder

Model
Born on December 20, 1983
She was born exactly 22 years after this date.

Gia Allemand

Gia Allemand

Model and Reality TV star Deceased
Born on December 20, 1983
She was born exactly 22 years after this date.

JoJo

JoJo

Singer
Born on December 20, 1990
She was born exactly 29 years after this date.

Jorginho

Jorginho

Soccer player
Born on December 20, 1991
He was born exactly 30 years after this date.

Dylan Wang

Dylan Wang

Chinese actor
Born on December 20, 1998
He was born exactly 37 years after this date.

Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé

Soccer player
Born on December 20, 1998
He was born exactly 37 years after this date.

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on December 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 December 20, 1961 was most likely conceived around March 29, 1961.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 20, 1961 is close to September 12, 1962.

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Stats for December 20, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about December 20, 1961:

  • 23,015 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,287 weeks have passed.
  • 1,988,496,000 seconds have passed since December 20, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,319,912,000 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,026,063,936,000 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 331,416,000 times.
  • You have taken approximately 171,010,656 steps. That's roughly 76,005 miles.
  • 23,861,952 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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