What happened in November 1961?
The top front-page story of each day in November 1961, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Nov 1🌌 Space Heat Shifts – Temperature variations of 1,000 degrees found 500 miles up, as reported by Soviet and American satellites.
- Nov 2🏛️ Bonn Coalition Talks – Bonn may name a new interior chief as Dr. Schroeder is expected to head the foreign ministry amid coalition talks.
- Nov 3🔬 Nobel Prizes Awarded – Three scientists are awarded the Nobel Prizes for their significant contributions to various fields in 1961.
- Nov 4🌍 Thant Elected U.N. Head – U Thant is elected interim head of the United Nations, ending a long controversy with a unanimous 103-0 vote.
- Nov 5🏥 U.S. Hospital Opens – A new $3 million hospital facility in Kotzebue, Northern Alaska, is set to be dedicated on November 30, enhancing healthcare access in the region.
- Nov 6🌍 Research Flight Antarctic – Navy plane to start longest air traverse of Antarctica, with Soviet cooperation on first leg of journey.
- Nov 7🔥 California Fire Evacuations – Thousands flee as a massive fire sweeps through the Hollywood Hills, causing widespread evacuations.
- Nov 8🗳️ Democrat Wins New Jersey – Kennedy-backed Democrat Hughes defeats Mitchell, marking a significant political upset in New Jersey's governorship.
- Nov 9🌍 U.N. Calls for Talks – The U.N. votes 71-to-11, urging Britain, the U.S., and the Soviet Union to resume negotiations on a nuclear test ban treaty.
- Nov 10🚀 X-15 Flies 4,070 MPH – X-15 rocket plane reaches 4,070 miles per hour, exceeding its goal. Pilot assures no danger despite a shattered windshield.
- Nov 11🤝 Eisenhower Visits Truman – Eisenhower and Truman meet for the first time in years at the Truman Library in Independence, fostering a moment of political unity.
- Nov 12🎨 Significant Art Exhibit – The Montclair Museum showcases significant landmarks in American painting, featuring works by notable artists.
- Nov 13🚀 U.S. Orbit Delayed – The launch of a chimpanzee into orbit is postponed, pushing hopes for a manned flight until 1962.
- Nov 14📈 Stocks Advance Significantly – Stocks rose 2.25 points in heavy trading, with 652 issues up and electronics shares leading the market.
- Nov 15🎨 Whitney Museum Turns 30 – The Whitney Museum of American Art celebrates its 30th anniversary with an exhibition showcasing U.S. artworks from its regular collection.
- Nov 16🎨 Museum Acquires Rembrandt – Metropolitan Museum pays record $2.3 million for a Rembrandt painting at auction, enhancing its art collection.
- Nov 17🎹 Pianist Anna Xydis Recital – Anna Xydis performs her first solo program since 1948, showcasing her grand piano skills to an eager audience.
- Nov 18🌍 Kennedy Extols U.S. Role – President Kennedy emphasizes America's global responsibility for freedom and honors Hayden during a speech.
- Nov 19🛣️ New Yugoslav Road – An 85-mile highway built by youth brigades in Yugoslavia provides a modern cross-Europe route, aided by U.S. funds.
- Nov 20🏥 Medical Aid Urged – Vice President Johnson calls for increased federal school grants and scholarships during a speech at Yeshiva University.
- Nov 21🖼️ Berlin Students Protest – Thousands in West Berlin attempt to storm the Berlin Wall, facing police resistance and tear gas during a student protest.
- Nov 22🕊️ Moscow Resumes Talks – Moscow agrees to resume discussions on an atomic test ban, accepting a U.S.-British offer for a conference in Geneva.
- Nov 23🖼️ Rare Buddhist Painting – A 100-year-old Buddhist painting depicting the highest Tibetan goddess is presented to Yale University.
- Nov 24🔬 Stomach Cancer Linked – Iceland research suggests smoked fish and mutton may cause stomach cancer, highlighting dietary impacts on health.
- Nov 25🔬 Life in Space Found – Meteorites yield fossilized, one-cell organisms unlike any known on Earth, suggesting potential extraterrestrial life.
- Nov 26🏈 Dartmouth Defeats Princeton – Dartmouth wins against Princeton 24-6, with quarterback King scoring and assisting in the victory.
- Nov 27🎭 Sutherland's Met Debut – Joan Sutherland triumphs in her debut as Lucia at the Met, receiving ovations during and after her performance.
- Nov 28🏛️ Gladiators' Gym Found – Ancient gym used by gladiators in Rome, dating back to 81-96 A.D., discovered, shedding light on historical athletic training.
- Nov 29🏙️ Soviet Gas Field Transforms – New Moscow-style buildings replace ancient structures in Bukhara, marking a shift from traditional culture to industrial society.
- Nov 30🐒 U.S. Orbits Chimpanzee – U.S. successfully sends a chimpanzee into orbit and recovers him after two circuits, marking a significant step in space exploration.
Happy Birthday! 1961 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1961 in real headlines. See the 1961 book →
Born in November? Pick the day
Every birthday in November has its own On This Day in Headlines book: