What happened in May 1961?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1961, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1🏺 Tutankhamun Tomb Found – Discovery of a looted tomb belonging to a prince of Tutankhamun provides answers to a 3,000-year-old puzzle.
- May 2🎨 Music Honors Varese – Works by composer Edgard Varese receive world premiere at Town Hall, celebrating modern classical music.
- May 3🔬 Human Cells Altered – Scientist alters human cells in a test tube for the first time, achieving abnormal heredity results using DNA.
- May 4🌍 World Trade Fair Opens – A global trade fair opens with participation from 60 nations, showcasing international business opportunities.
- May 5🎈 Balloonists Set Mark – One balloonist dies after falling from a helicopter sling during a record 21.5-mile ascent.
- May 6🚀 First Manned Space Flight – Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space, completing a 15-minute flight, marking a significant milestone in the space race.
- May 7🚀 Shepard Regrets Brief Trip – Astronaut Alan Shepard reflects on his short space flight, expressing a desire for a longer mission despite doctors confirming his good health.
- May 8🌍 Egypt Industrial Growth – Egypt achieves significant progress in becoming an industrial nation, with exports now exceeding imports.
- May 9🚀 Shepard Honored as Hero – Astronaut Alan Shepard is celebrated in Washington after his successful space flight, receiving accolades from President Kennedy.
- May 10🚀 Space Program Funding – Congress plans to allocate $600 million to enhance space programs, focusing on manned flights and practical applications.
- May 11🔬 New Malaria Threat Studied – U.S. scientists investigate a new malaria threat, finding that simians may be a reservoir for the parasite.
- May 12🚀 U.S.-Soviet Space Efforts – A comparison of U.S. and Soviet space programs aired, highlighting advancements in the space race.
- May 13♟️ Botvinnik Wins Chess Title – Mikhail Botvinnik regains the World Chess Championship title by defeating Mikhail Tal, 13-8, after 21 games.
- May 14🏃 Oregon Quartet Breaks Record – The Oregon Quartet sets a new U.S. four-mile relay record with a time of 16:29.3 at the Fresno Relays.
- May 15🏁 Moss Wins Monaco Grand Prix – Moss triumphs in the Grand Prix de Monaco, finishing 3.6 seconds ahead of three Ferraris in a thrilling 196-mile race.
- May 16🕊️ Laos Talks Open – Laos peace talks commence in Geneva, with U.S. agreeing to a proposal by Russia and Britain, aiming for resolution.
- May 17🏛️ Edison's Mansion Opens – Edison's historic mansion in New Jersey is opened to the public, now recognized as a U.S. shrine with restricted visits.
- May 18⚽ Turkish Team Triumphs – Besiktas beats Karlsruhe 3-1 in soccer opener, with Birol scoring all goals for the Turkish team.
- May 19📡 R.C.A. Builds Satellite – NASA approves R.C.A.'s plan to build a satellite for television, with a launch scheduled for 1962.
- May 20🌍 Kennedy-Khrushchev Summit – Kennedy to meet Macmillan after talks with Khrushchev in Vienna, focusing on exploration rather than formal agreements.
- May 21🔬 Biochemical Breakthrough – Findings from a rare tumor lead to advances in mental health, revealing insights into epinephrine and the nervous system.
- May 22🏛️ Hudson Mansion Dedicated – Governor opens an 1804 mansion in Boscobel, previously slated for demolition, highlighting historical preservation efforts.
- May 23🏛️ Du Pont Ordered Divestiture – Supreme Court mandates du Pont to divest its 63 million shares in General Motors by 1971, impacting the stock market significantly.
- May 24🏛️ 5th Ave. Library Anniversary – 5th Avenue Library marks its 50th year with a rededication ceremony attended by state and city officials.
- May 25🌾 U.N. Backs Cuba Project – The U.N. Special Fund approves a $3 million agricultural project in Cuba, focusing on livestock, crops, and soil conservation despite U.S. objections.
- May 26🚀 Kennedy's Moon Mission – President Kennedy requests $1.8 billion to accelerate space exploration and foreign aid, urging a moon landing as a key goal.
- May 27🌌 Galaxy Particle Hits Earth – A cosmic ray storm triggered by a particle from deep space collides with Earth's atmosphere, creating 20 billion particles.
- May 28🏛️ Kennedy-Khrushchev Talks – President Kennedy aims for insights on U.S.-Soviet relations, seeking to address difficulties with Khrushchev.
- May 29🏃♂️ Boston Sets Long Jump Record – Ralph Boston clears 27 feet in the broad jump, setting a new world record and showcasing his confidence in the sport.
- May 30🎨 Futurism Exhibition Opens – A major exhibition showcasing Italian Futurism, a precursor to modern art, opens, highlighting its cultural significance.
- May 31🌍 Jet Crash Off Portugal – All 62 passengers on a Venezuelan jet are lost in a crash off the Portuguese coast shortly after take-off.
Happy Birthday! 1961 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1961 in real headlines. See the 1961 book →