What happened in February 1961?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1961, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Feb 1🚀 Space Chimpanzee Safe – A chimpanzee survives a space flight in a Mercury capsule, soaring 420 miles into the atmosphere during a test.
- Feb 2🔬 Supermagnet Breakthrough – Physicists report on a new supermagnet capable of producing powerful fields at minimal cost, promising advancements in atomic research.
- Feb 3⛵ Australia Cup Yacht – Australia begins preparations for the America's Cup with a new 12-meter yacht to be launched in Sydney.
- Feb 4🌍 Cuba Refugee Aid – President orders $4 million to house, feed, and resettle Cuban exiles in the U.S. amid ongoing political tensions.
- Feb 5🚀 Soviet Satellite Launched – Soviet Union successfully launches Sputnik V, a 7.1-ton satellite, into orbit, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- Feb 6🛰️ 7-Ton Satellite Launched – Soviet scientists hint at an uncrewed 7-ton satellite on a data mission, with no progress report provided.
- Feb 7🏅 Olympic Champion Triumphs – Olympic champion high jumpers from Russia find success through hard work and dedication, inspiring future athletes.
- Feb 8🌍 Antarctica Ice Melting – Innovative propeller apparatus successfully creates fast currents under Antarctic ice, aiding in melting efforts.
- Feb 9🌍 New World Ellipsoid – Satellite data reveals Earth's equatorial bulge, measuring a difference of 1,400 feet, enhancing our understanding of planetary shape.
- Feb 10🔬 Immunity Factor Shown – Research reveals humans' immune response to foreign bodies through blood injections in volunteers.
- Feb 11🔭 Big Bang Theory Supported – British astronomer asserts radio signals disprove the theory of continuous creation in the cosmos.
- Feb 12🧬 Scientists Trace Disease – World Health Organization investigates viral ailment that affected 750,000 people in Africa.
- Feb 13🚀 Soviet Venus Rocket Launch – Soviet Union successfully launches a rocket aimed at Venus, with all equipment reported operational.
- Feb 14🐶 Westminster Dog Show Wins – Ch. Blanart Bewitching wins at Westminster Dog Show, showcasing top breeds including Scotties and others.
- Feb 15🎨 Nine Elected to Art Institute – Schlesinger, Bernstein, and Langston Hughes among nine elected to the Art Institute, recognizing their contributions to the arts.
- Feb 16🌒 Millions Observe Eclipse – Millions in Europe witness a solar eclipse, with scientists and Pope John gathering to observe the rare phenomenon.
- Feb 17🛰️ Satellite Fired, Lost – The U.S. successfully launches a solid-fuel rocket but loses contact with the Polka Dot Balloon satellite shortly after.
- Feb 18🏆 Brumel Clears High Jump – Brumel clears 7 feet 3 inches, equaling Thomas' U.S. mark in high jump, defeating Bostonian again at Madison Square Garden.
- Feb 19🌧️ Rain Making Success – Australia sees a 25% increase in precipitation in a test region, aided by U-2 planes in a rain-making study.
- Feb 20🌍 World Bank Loans Surge – World Bank reports $292.4 million in loans across 10 nations, totaling $5.47 billion by end of 1960.
- Feb 21📚 Kennedy's Education Plan – President Kennedy proposes a $5.6 billion plan to aid education, seeking funds for states to support teachers and build schools.
- Feb 22🚀 U.S. Satellites Launched – Two U.S. satellites are successfully placed in orbit, with one designed to aid navigation.
- Feb 23🏔️ Finland Wins Ski Jump – Silvennoinen of Finland takes Lake Placid Ski Jumping event, leading by 3.4 points for the Carpenter Trophy.
- Feb 24✈️ Aviation Pioneer Honored – Dinner held to honor the first flier to send a radio message from an airplane to Earth.
- Feb 25🔬 Kennedy Proposes Gold Plans – President Kennedy submits plans to limit gold outflow and improve medical training facilities.
- Feb 26🌍 World Expands Globally – Twenty-two new nations join the global community, highlighting the shrinking globe and expanding world dynamics.
- Feb 27🚀 Soviet Venus Mission – Soviet space vehicle set to gather extensive data from Venus in May, promising a record amount of information.
- Feb 28🌊 Alabama Floods Impact – Severe flooding in Alabama affects wide areas, resulting in 8 deaths. President Kennedy orders federal aid for the affected regions.
Happy Birthday! 1961 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1961 in real headlines. See the 1961 book →