December 1961 calendar
Learn the most interesting events and historical facts that happened in December 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 December 1961: find out below
Historical Events
Which were the important events of December 1961?
Events
- 01 Dec 1961 The independent Republic of West Papua is proclaimed in modern-day Western New Guinea.
- 02 Dec 1961 Wind Bell, journal of SF Zen Center, begins publishing
- 03 Dec 1961 Beatles meet future manager Brian Epstein
- 04 Dec 1961 WXGA TV channel 8 in Waycross, Georgia (PBS) begins broadcasting
- 05 Dec 1961 U.S. President John F. Kennedy gives support to the Volta Dam project in Ghana.
- 06 Dec 1961 27th Heisman Trophy Award: Ernie Davis, Syracuse (HB).
- 08 Dec 1961 Antwerp Belgium diocese forms
- 09 Dec 1961 From the Second City closes at Royale Theater NYC after 87 performances
- 10 Dec 1961 Dr Ruth marries Fred Westheimer
- 11 Dec 1961 Please, Mr. Postman by Marvelettes, released
- 12 Dec 1961 Ham radio satellite Oscar 1 launched with military Discoverer 36.
- 13 Dec 1961 Beatles sign a formal agreement to be managed by Brian Epstein
- 14 Dec 1961 The United Republic of Tanzania joins the United Nations.
- 15 Dec 1961 Adolf Eichmann convicted of crimes against humanity in Israel
- 16 Dec 1961 Evening with Yves Montand opens at John Golden NYC after 55 performances
- 17 Dec 1961 India seizes Goa and 2 other Portuguese colonies
- 18 Dec 1961 KAIL TV channel 53 in Fresno, CA (IND) begins broadcasting
- 19 Dec 1961 Indonesian President Sukarno proclaims general mobilization.
- 20 Dec 1961 Moss Heart, US dramatist (You can't take it with you), dies at age 57.
- 21 Dec 1961 Beatles record Sweet Georgia Brown andReady Teddy
- 22 Dec 1961 US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
- 23 Dec 1961 KICU TV channel 43 in Visalia-Fresno, CA (IND) begins broadcasting
- 24 Dec 1961 Houston Oilers beat San Diego Chargers 10-3 in AFL championship game.
- 27 Dec 1961 Subways Are for Sleeping opens at St. James Theater NYC for 205 performances
- 30 Dec 1961 Congolese troops capture Albert Kalonji of South Kasai (who soon escapes).
- 31 Dec 1961 lrma La Douce closes at Plymouth Theater NYC after 527 performances
- 09 Dec 1961 Tanganyika becomes independent from Britain.
Famous Birthday
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Famous Deaths
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Music charts
Which were the top hits in December 1961?
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Top #5 songs in the USA
- Jimmy Dean - Big Bad John
- The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman
- The Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight
- Dion - Runaround Sue
- Bobby Vee - Run To Him
Top #5 songs in the UK
- Frankie Vaughan - Tower Of Strength
- Johnny Tillotson - Poetry In Motion
- Danny Williams - Moon River
- Cliff Richard - I Love You
- Elvis Presley - His Latest Flame / Little Sisters
Movies
Which were the most popular Movies released in that month?
Books
Which were the most popular books released in December 1961?
The Winter Of Our Discontent
By: John Steinbeck
The last novel of one America's most loved writers--a story of degeneration and corruption as well as a spiritual crisis. In awarding John Steinbeck 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature, it was stated by the Nobel committee that
My Life In Court
By: Louis Nizer
2012 Reprint of 1961 Edition. This is an exact facsimile, and not reproduced using optical recognition software. This title recounts Nizer's significant civil and criminal accomplishments.
The Incredible Journey
By: Sheila Burnford
Their instincts told them to go west. So the Labrador retriever, the bull terrier, and the Siamese, a young Labrador retriever set off through Canada.
Tropic Of Cancer
By: Henry Miller
Miller's first novel, a groundbreaking work of fiction, was banned in Britain for nearly thirty years. Henry Miller, a penniless writer who has yet to be published, arrived in Paris in 1930. He left behind a broken marriage and a …
