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June 17, 1961

June 17, 1961, was a Saturday. It was 63 years, 5 months, and 8 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Gemini.

Song charts

Top songs

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

  • United States: "Travelin' Man" by Ricky Nelson
  • United Kingdom: "Surrender" by Elvis Presley

The Billboard Hot 100 on June 17, 1961

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • Moody River - Pat Boone
  • Travelin' Man - Ricky Nelson
  • Quarter To Three - U.S. Bonds
  • Stand By Me - Ben E. King
  • Raindrops - Dee Clark
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.
The Pleasure of His Company

Top movie

The movie "The Pleasure of His Company" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date occurred 23,172 days ago. Approximately 772 months have passed. It was the 168th day of 1961, in week 24. The decade was the swinging sixties. People who were born on June 17, 1961, are now 63 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. We have gone through approximately 257 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to June 17, 1961

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is June 17, 1961, and it's a Saturday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Gemini. The work week is over and Saturday has finally come, so people are spending time with their kids, going to bars, attending dances, shopping, and watching sports.

The summer of 1961 is in full swing. The weather is warm, and the evenings are brighter than usual. Most schools and colleges are now finished until August or September. In America, the song "Travelin' Man" by Ricky Nelson is at the top of the singles charts, while "Surrender" by Elvis Presley is the number-one song in the UK. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the President of the United States, and the movie The Pleasure of His Company 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 "What's My Line?", "Gunsmoke", "The Twilight Zone", and "The Untouchables". 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 Ernest Hemingway, Ernie Kovacs, and Marilyn Monroe would all still be alive.

Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Captain Kangaroo", "Mighty Mouse Playhouse", "The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole", and "My Three Sons". Children are playing with toys such as Fisher Price Little People, Playpal dolls, Barbie, and Tonka trucks.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on June 17, 1961, will have the star sign Gemini.
  • Zodiac Element: Air.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1961 was the year of the Ox (Yin Wood).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 22.
  • Native American Zodiac: June 17, 1961 falls under the Deer.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of June will have the birthstones Pearl and Alexandrite.
  • Birth flower (June): The Rose and the Honeysuckle.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

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

  • May 21, 1961: Martial law is imposed in Montgomery, Alabama, following racial violence between whites and blacks.
  • May 25, 1961: US President John F. Kennedy announces that the United States plans to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade.
  • May 30, 1961:
    • Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo is assassinated during an ambush outside of Santo Domingo.
    • 61 people lose their lives after Viasa Flight 897 crashes off the coast of Portugal.
  • May 31, 1961: Football: Portuguese side Benfica win the European Cup after they defeat Barcelona 3-2 at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Germany.
  • June 8, 1961: Marvin Gaye releases his debut studio album.
  • June 16, 1961: Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev requests asylum in France.
  • This date: June 17, 1961
  • June 18, 1961: The final episode of the Western drama series "Gunsmoke" is aired on radio.
  • June 21, 1961: Walt Disney's romantic comedy film "The Parent Trap" is released in movie theaters.
  • June 22, 1961: The war film "The Guns of Navarone" is released in movie theaters.
  • July 2, 1961: American novelist Ernest Hemingway commits suicide at the age of 61.
  • July 8, 1961: 108 people are killed by a mine explosion in Czechoslovakia.
  • July 12, 1961: 72 people lose their lives after ČSA Flight 511 crashes near Casablanca-Anfa Airport in Morocco.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV series on June 17, 1961

People in June 1961 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from June 1961.

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

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 June 1961

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

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
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

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

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

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

Igor Stravinsky

Igor Stravinsky

Russian composer Deceased
Born on June 17, 1882
He turned 79 on this day in 1961.

Barry Manilow

Barry Manilow

Singer
Born on June 17, 1943
He turned 18 on this day in 1961.

Arabian Prince

Arabian Prince

Rapper
Born on June 17, 1965
He was born exactly 4 years after this date.

Venus Williams

Venus Williams

Tennis player
Born on June 17, 1980
She was born exactly 19 years after this date.

Simone Battle

Simone Battle

Singer Deceased
Born on June 17, 1989
She was born exactly 28 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on June 17:

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on June 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 June 17, 1961 was most likely conceived around September 24, 1960.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on June 17, 1961 is close to March 10, 1962.

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Stats for June 17, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about June 17, 1961:

  • 23,172 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,310 weeks have passed.
  • 2,002,064,400 seconds have passed since June 17, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,335,741,800 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,033,065,230,400 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 333,677,400 times.
  • You have taken approximately 172,177,538 steps. That's roughly 76,523 miles.
  • 24,024,773 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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