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June 8, 1961

June 8, 1961, was a Thursday. It was 63 years, 5 months, and 16 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Gemini.

On This Day

What happened?

What happened on June 8, 1961?

  • Marvin Gaye releases his debut studio album.
Song charts

Music charts

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on June 8, 1961:

  • United States: "Running Scared" by Roy Orbison
  • United Kingdom: "Surrender" by Elvis Presley

The Billboard Hot 100 on June 8, 1961

These were the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • Running Scared - Roy Orbison
  • Travelin' Man - Ricky Nelson
  • Daddy's Home - Shep And The Limelites
  • Mama Said - The Shirelles
  • I Feel So Bad - Elvis Presley
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.
The Pleasure of His Company

Top movie at the box office

The movie "The Pleasure of His Company" was at the top of the box office on June 8, 1961.

Facts

This date was 23,180 days ago. Approximately 773 months have passed. It was the 159th day of 1961, in week 23. The decade was the swinging sixties. People born on this day are currently 63 years old and belong to the Baby Boomer generation. The Earth has experienced 258 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to June 8, 1961

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

It is Thursday, June 8, 1961. Anyone born today will have the star sign Gemini. 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 "Running Scared" by Roy Orbison 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.

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. On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "The Danny Thomas Show", "Rawhide", "Bonanza", and "Danger Man". Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Looney Tunes", "The Adventures of Spunky and Tadpole", "Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks", and "The Flintstones".

Popular toys at the moment include the Hula Hoop, Crater Critters, Matchbox toy cars, and Astrobase.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on June 8, 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 8, 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 8, 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 8, 1961.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to June 8, 1961.

  • May 10, 1961: 78 people die after a bomb explodes on Air France Flight 406.
  • May 11, 1961: US President John F. Kennedy orders helicopters and 400 Green Berets into South Vietnam.
  • May 13, 1961: American actor Gary Cooper dies from cancer at the age of 60.
  • 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.
  • This date: June 8, 1961
  • June 16, 1961: Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev requests asylum in France.
  • 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.

1960s fashion

Photographs of 1960s fashion and hairstyles.

1960s fashion

Television shows

TV shows in 1961

The following TV shows were popular in June 1961:

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

Kids TV shows on June 8, 1961

Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1961:

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

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 June 8, 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 8, 1967, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on June 8.

Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush

First Lady of the United States Deceased
Born on June 8, 1925
She turned 36 on this day in 1961.

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers

Actress Deceased
Born on June 8, 1933
She turned 28 on this day in 1961.

Rob Pilatus

Rob Pilatus

German singer Deceased
Born on June 8, 1965
He was born exactly 4 years after this date.

Kanye West

Kanye West

Rapper
Born on June 8, 1977
He was born exactly 16 years after this date.

USA

US President

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the President of the United States on June 8, 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 8, 1961 was most likely conceived around September 15, 1960.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on June 8, 1961 is close to March 1, 1962.

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Stats for June 8, 1961

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about June 8, 1961:

  • 23,180 days have passed since this date.
  • 3,311 weeks have passed.
  • 2,002,755,600 seconds have passed since June 8, 1961.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 2,336,548,200 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 1,033,421,889,600 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 333,792,600 times.
  • You have taken approximately 172,236,982 steps. That's roughly 76,550 miles.
  • 24,033,067 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1961?

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