Social, National and International News of 1961

Another reason that 1961's a standout : Many significant things happened or were happening (social, national, and international), some of which would reverberate throughout the decade and change history.

Outgoing President Dwight D. Eisenhower breaks off diplomatic ties with Cuba.

New President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address became noted for the phrase: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

The Federal Communications Commission approved stereo FM.

By now, sit-ins in over 100 cities succeed in desegregating many restaurants, hotels, etc.

The first U.S. troops arrive in South Vietnam.

The Bay of Pigs disaster occurred.

The Berlin Wall was built, dividing East and West.

500 more "special advisers" are sent to Vietnam.

Four U.S. airliners are hijacked. (In 1961?)

There's a new administration in town! And the nation is captivated by the new, youthful, handsome, and energetic president (the public wasn't aware of JFK's health problems then or the other things that went on; a few reporters did know, but there wasn't the frenzy to tell and publicize everything, like today) his beautiful, glamourous, young wife and their two adorable children.

The U.S. and Russia put astronauts into orbit.

The minimum wage was raised from $1 to $1.15 per hour for the next two years, then to 1.25.

The Freedom Riders were attacked by vicious southern mobs in their effort to desegregate.

Congress authorizes JFK to call 250,000 reservists to active jury for up to a year.

JFK created the Peace Corps.

The Jackie Kennedy look began catching on with adult women; pillobx hat, very pointed toes on shoes, very slender heels, hair length just below the ears-curled or bouffant, skirt a little below the knee, and waistline sheath.

It only took television 10 years to reach 34 million homes. (It took 62 years for electric wiring, 80 years for the telephone, 49 for the car, and 47 for the electric washer.)

Ray Kroc, of the McDonald's hamburger franchise, buys out the original owners (The McDonald Brothers) and begins expansion. Let there be hamburgers!

Polio's virtually extinct, while measles, whooping cough, and typhoid now cause few deaths.

Folk music flourishes on college campuses.

Teen fashion trends are suspenders and low-slung pants, decorated sneakers, and white Levis and pastel jeans are introduced by Levi Strauss. Long straight hair is starting to catch on, due in part to Mary Travers (of Peter, Paul, and Mary). She couldn't get her straight hair to curl to create the bouffant teased styles of the day, hence.......

Teen fads include bed pushing marathons. Skateboarding begins in California; it's called Sidewalk Surfing at this time. The yo-yo returns; trampolines and coloring books are hot, as is the rocking chair (due to JFK).

45s (single records) cost 89 cents.

The first successful manned space flight was made by American Virgil Grissom.

The electric toothbrush debuts.

In-flight movies start(TWA)

Intra-uterine contraceptive device introduced

The first live telecast of a Presidential news conference (JFK)

First powdered coffee creamer (Coffee-Mate)

First cheap ballpoint pens (19 cents, from BiC)

First disposable diapers (Pampers)

Rose Bowl winners were Washington, who also won in 1960. The Sugar Bowl, Mississippi (also 1960 winners)

NCAA Basketball championship winners were Cincinnati. (1960 winner was Ohio State).

World Series winners were the New York Yankees. (The Pittsburgh Pirates were the 1960 winners.)

Academy Award (Oscar) winners were Maximilian Schell"Judgement At Neurumberg"; Sophia Loren, Best Actress-"Two Women". (1960 winners were Burt Lancaster"Elmer Gantry" and Elizabeth Taylor- "Butterfield 8".

Ann-Margaret made her movie debut in "Pocketful Of Miracles."

Miss Michigan, Nancy Fleming, became Miss America 1961.

John F. Kennedy was TIME's Man of the Year.

Top films included West Side Story, Blue Hawaii, Where The Boys Are, Breakfast At Tiffany's, and La Dolce Vita.

On TV, doctor shows were starting to take over, but westerns still held their ground, for now. New shows included Ben Casey, Dr. Kildare, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Chubby Checker does the Twist on Ed Sullivan. (his show!) The Kennedy inaugural gets the biggest TV audience of the year.

Bestselling books include The Agony and the Ectasy by Irving Stone,The New English Bible: The New Testament, and Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger.

Book sales more than double.

Harold Robbins first appearance on the bestseller list is The Carpetbaggers.

The long-banned Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller is published here, but still censored in many areas.

Marvel Comics introduces Amazing Adventures and The Fantastic Four. The four are: Reed Richards-changes into the rubberlike Mr. Fantastic; Benjamin Grimm-changes into The Thing: "It's clobberin' time!" Sue Storm-changes into The Invisible Girl; and her brother, Johnny-changes into The Human Torch. Richards later married Sue Storm.

And again, here are the No.1 hits of 1961, in chronological order:

Jan.9- "Wonderland By Night"-Bert Kaempfert Jan.30-"Will You Love Me Tomorrow"-The Shirelles Feb.13-"Calcutta"-Lawrence Welk Feb.27-"Pony Time"-Chubby Checker Mar.20-"Surrender"-Elvis Presley Apr.3-"Blue Moon"-The Marcels Apr.24-"Runaway"-Del Shannon May 22-"Mother-In-Law"-Ernie-K-Doe May 29-"Travelin' Man"-Ricky Nelson June 5-"Running Scared"-Roy Orbison June 19-"Moody River"-Pat Boone (his last No.1) June 26-"Quarter To Three"-Gary U.S. Bonds July 10_"Tossin' and Turnin'"-Bobby Lewis (the year's biggest hit) Aug.28-"Wooden Heart"-Joe Dowell Sept.4-"Michael"-The Highwaymen Sept.18-"Take Good Care Of My Baby"-Bobby Vee Oct.9-"Hit The Road Jack"-Ray Charles Oct.23-"Runaround Sue"-Dion Nov.6-"Big Bad John"-Jimmy Dean Dec.11-"Please Mr. Postman"-The Marvelettes Dec.18-"The Lion Sleeps Tonight"-The Tokens