1961 - News and Entertainment
The Berlin Wall was built but Elvis still ruled the Charts
In many ways, 1961 belonged to the United States of America. John F. Kennedy became President and the American people found themselves with a younger more liberal person who, along with his beautiful wife, began a new era of World Politics.
Whilst that was happening, Elvis Presley continued his domination of world rock and roll music, although they didn't know that the following year was to bring about a turn round in popular music which would set out new rules and styles, even affecting the political world as well.
Main news Stories
Sunday Telegraph first published
John F. Kennedy becomes the 35th President of the United States.
The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool for the first time.
The first U.S. Polaris submarines arrive at Holy Loch.
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
The government unveils new "panda" crossings with push button controls for pedestrians
Michael Ramsey enthroned as the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury
Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev requests asylum in France while in Paris
Tottenham Hotspur become the first English football team this century to win both the League title and FA Cup.
Construction of the Berlin Wall begins
Betting shops are legalised.
George Blake is sentenced to 42 years imprisonment for spying
Police arrest over 1,300 protesters in Trafalgar Square during a CND rally
The Vietnam War officially begins, as the first American helicopters arrive in Saigon
Years top selling Album (UK)
Elvis Presley - GI Blues
Years top selling Single (UK)
Elvis Presley - 'It's now or never'
Best Movie Oscar
The Apartment
Best Actor Oscar
Burt Lancaster - Elmer Gantry
Best Actress Oscar
Elizabeth Taylor - Butterfield 8
At the Cinema 1961
Breakfast at Tiffany's, El Cid, The Comancheros, The Guns of Navarone, One Hundred and One Dalmatians,
The Outsider, The Pit and the Pendulum,
People born in 1961
Harry Enfield, Boy George, Ricky Gervais, Diana Princess of Wales, Martin Clunes.
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