Your place in the Universe on 1961
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Get your map!The Highlights of 1961: A Year That Shaped the Future
1961 (MCMLXI in Roman Numerals) was the year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1961th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations.
Is 1961 a year special to you? Discover what 1961 was famous for, Key World Leaders of 1961, 1961 Time’s Person of the Year, the #1 song, movie and book in 1961, how old is someone born in 1961 and what Chinese zodiac sign is associated to 1961.
On this page we will address all your questions and curiosities about 1961 to help you enjoy your trip down memory lane.
Table of contents
- What was 1961 known for ?
- Key World Leaders of 1961
- Who was the U.S. President in 1961?
- Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1961?
- Who was the Pope in 1961?
- 1961: Who was Time's Person of the Year?
- What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1961?
- What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1961?
- What was the most popular movie in 1961?
- What was the best selling book in 1961?
- How old is someone born in 1961?
- What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1961?
What was 1961 known for ?
- History is the collective memory of people with one common goal of moving ahead and charter the way into the future. The 60s was an era that saw a rise in freedom marches and movements by civil rights groups around the world.
- Following a successful presidential campaign on a Democratic Party ticket, JFK became the youngest candidate to become president. The world followed the inauguration events at the just renovated East front of the US Capitol as JFK took the oath of office administered by Chief Justice Earl Warren. JFK famed for the saying, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country" was inaugurated on the chilly morning of January 20, 1961 . During JFK’s reign, racial segregation had reached unimaginable heights in the USA especially the south regions. A 13-member group of African-American and white human rights activists started what was called Freedom Rides. The freedom riders embarked on a journey on May 4 from Washington D.C. with an aim to integrate the facilities at bus stations, like blacks using the whites’ only facilities and vice versa.
- The Freedom Riders faced fierce hostility from white protestors, but the rides attracted international attention to the situation in America. The Interstate Commerce Commission put forth to the public regulations against racial segregation at all bus and train terminals in September of 1961.
- As the racial segregation raged on in the USA, 1961 was to be a defining year in the Kenyan struggle for independence from the British colonialists. During the state of emergency of 1952, Kenyatta was on trial for heading the outlawed Mau Mau and found guilty even after pleading innocent to the charges. The judge sentenced Kenyatta and five other KAU leaders to seven years in prison at a place called Kapenguria famously remembered as the ‘Kapenguria Six’ in Kenya. Kenyatta served for six years in the Kapenguria prison and one year under house arrest in Lodwar until his release on August 21, 1961.
- The year 1961 was the onset of many civil rights groups in the world fighting for different injustices. It brought about the awakening to the plight of the segregated, and it is in order a new world order was in motion.
- The world population in 1961 was 3,091,843,507 people according to data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. This figure includes both urban and rural populations. The urban population at that time accounted for 34.0% of the total population, which is roughly 1.1 billion individuals.The annual population change in 1961 was an increase of +56.8 million people, representing a percentage increase of +1.87% over the previous year.The average population density in 1961 was 13 persons per square mile (or 21 persons per square kilometer).
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Key World Leaders of 1961
Who was the U.S. President in 1961?
In 1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican) was President of the United States until January 20, 1961; on January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy (Democrat) was appointed as the new President of the United States.
Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1961?
In 1961 the UK Prime Minister was Harold Macmillan (Conservative). During his premiership, he promoted decolonization and declared that the 'winds of change' were sweeping through Africa.
Who was the Pope in 1961?
The leader of the Catholic Church in 1961 was Pope John XXIII who had held the papacy since 1958. His pontificate is best known for convening the Second Vatican Council, which modernized Church practices and encouraged dialogue with other faiths.
1961: Who was Time's Person of the Year?
John F. Kennedy
In 1961, John F. Kennedy was named by TIME magazine as Person of the Year. Kennedy was inaugurated as President of the United States in 1961, ordering the failed invasion of Cuba by U.S.-trained Cuban exiles.
What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1961?
The number 1 song in the USA in 1961, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was Tossin' And Turnin' by Bobby Lewis
What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1961?
The number 1 song in the UK in 1961, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was Halfway To Paradise by Billy Fury
What was the most popular movie in 1961?
The most popular movie and box office hit was El Cid by Anthony Mann
What was the best selling book in 1961?
How old is someone born in 1961?
Someone born in 1961 is 64 years old this year.
Try out our age, time and generation calculators:
What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1961?
According to the Chinese Zodiac and Astrology 1961 was the Year of the Ox.
Discover Zodiac Sign Characteristics and Personality Traits of people born under the Ox sign.