August 1961 calendar
Learn the most interesting events and historical facts that happened in August 1961.
The US president was John F. Kennedy (Democrat), the UK Prime Minister was Harold Macmillan (Conservative), Pope John XXIII was leading the Catholic Church.
But much more happened on August 1961: find out below
Historical Events
Which were the important events of August 1961?
Events
- 01 Aug 1961 Benaud rips through England team for Aussie win at Old Trafford
- 02 Aug 1961 Cyrille Adula becomes Premier of Congo
- 04 Aug 1961 28th NFL Chicago All-Star Game: Philadelphia 28, All-Stars 14
- 05 Aug 1961 Chicago Bears (NFL) beat Montreal Alouettes (Canadian Football League) 34-16 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- 06 Aug 1961 1st case of motion sickness in space reported
- 07 Aug 1961 Cosmonaut Gherman Titov circles Earth for a full day in Vostok 2
- 08 Aug 1961 Ham Tigercats (CFL) beat the Buffalo Bills (NFL) 38-21 in Hamilton, Ontario
- 09 Aug 1961 James B Parsons is 1st black appointed to Federal District Court
- 10 Aug 1961 England applies for membership in the European Common Market.
- 11 Aug 1961 Warren Spahn records victory number 300, beats Chicago Cubs 2-1.
- 13 Aug 1961 Construction on Berlin Wall begins in East Germany
- 14 Aug 1961 Philadelphia Phillies lose 17th straight game
- 15 Aug 1961 Border guard Conrad Schumann flees from East Germany while on duty guarding the construction of the Berlin Wall.
- 16 Aug 1961 250,000 West Berliners demonstrate against East Berlin
- 17 Aug 1961 Kennedy administration establishes Alliance for Progress
- 18 Aug 1961 Construction on Berlin Wall completed.
- 19 Aug 1961 US Vice President Lyndon B Johnson visits West Berlin
- 20 Aug 1961 Phillies set then dubious record of 23 straight loses, beat Braves
- 21 Aug 1961 Jomo Kenyatta freed in Kenya
- 22 Aug 1961 Maris hits his 50th of 61 homers
- 23 Aug 1961 Belgium sends troops to Rwanda-Urundi
- 25 Aug 1961 Brazilian President Janio Quadros, resigns
- 26 Aug 1961 Official International Hockey Hall of Fame opens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- 28 Aug 1961 Motown releases what would be its first #1 hit, ''Please Mr. Postman'' by The Marvelettes.
- 30 Aug 1961 1st Negro judge of a US District Court confirmed-JB Parsons
- 31 Aug 1961 Amsterdam National Ballet forms
- 01 Aug 1961 U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara orders the creation of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the nation's first centralized military espionage organization.
Famous Birthday
![Barack Obama]()
- See more
Famous Deaths
- See more
Music charts
Which were the top hits in August 1961?
Unlimited, ad-free streaming of over a million songs, 30 day Free Trial
Top #5 songs in the USA
- Bobby Lewis - Tossin' And Turnin'
- Joe Dowell - Wooden Heart
- Chris Kenner - I Like It Like That, Part 1
- Brook Benton - The Boll Weevil Song
- Mar-Keys - Last Night
Top #5 songs in the UK
- Helen Shapiro - You Don't Know
- John Leyton - Johnny Remember Me
- Eden Kane - Well I Ask You
- Shirley Bassey - Reach For The Stars / Climb Ev'ry Mountain
- Petula Clark - Romeo
Movies
Which were the most popular Movies released in that month?
Books
Which were the most popular books released in August 1961?
A Journey To Matecumbe
By: Robert Lewis Taylor
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS by JOSEPH PAPIN This book tells the story of an adventure that takes place from the Mississippi River to the Florida Keys.
A Burnt-Out Case
By: Graham Greene
Querry, the world-famous architect is suffering from a horrible attack of indifference. He no longer finds joy in life or meaning in art.
Life With Women And How To Survive It
By: Joseph H. Peck
How to live with women and how you can survive it
Mirror, Mirror On The Wall
By: Gayelord Hauser
Mirror, Mirror On The Wall: A Call to Beauty by Gayelord Houser
Ring Of Bright Water
By: Gavin Maxwell
The story of Gavin Maxwell and his life with otters off the west coast of Scotland was hailed as a masterpiece in 1960. It remains one of the most beloved books.