What happened in September 1961?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1961, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Sep 1🔬 New Particle Discovered – Physicists discover the Omega Meson, offering fresh insights into atomic structure and advancing particle physics.
- Sep 2🎨 Grandma Moses Rests – Nearly 101, Grandma Moses yearns for work while resting in a nursing home, having painted 25 canvases last year.
- Sep 3🏌️ U.S. Golfers Win Walker Cup – American golfers dominate British amateurs, winning the Walker Cup 11-1 on the coast, with Nicklaus and Beman leading the charge.
- Sep 4🎼 Unheard Webern Scores Found – U.S. musicologist acquires previously unheard scores of composer Anton Webern from his family in Austria.
- Sep 5🌍 Imported Beetle Curbs Pest – A French beetle successfully eliminates a harmful weed in California, showcasing biological pest control's effectiveness.
- Sep 6💣 U.S. Resumes Nuclear Testing – President announces the resumption of nuclear testing, citing national safety as the primary reason for this decision.
- Sep 7📚 Webster Dictionary Update – Webster's third edition adds 200,000 popular quotations, aiming to aid average families with a slimmer dictionary.
- Sep 8🌍 Goulart Sworn In – João Goulart is sworn in as Brazil's president, appealing for national unity and appointing a Vargas aide as premier.
- Sep 9🔬 New Blood Test Introduced – A new screening technique for coronary heart disease is outlined, measuring three types of lipids including cholesterol.
- Sep 10🎨 Sao Paulo Bienal Opens – The Sao Paulo Bienal is set to open, showcasing contemporary art under unique circumstances, highlighting global artistic trends.
- Sep 11🌪️ Hurricane Carla Hits – Hurricane Carla batters the Gulf Coast, forcing 300,000 to flee as 125-mile winds whip through the area.
- Sep 12🌪️ Hurricane Moves Inland – Hurricane causes heavy damage in Texas and Louisiana with gusts up to 173 mph, flooding the Gulf Coast.
- Sep 13🌪️ Tornadoes Lash Hurricane Area – Tornadoes in Galveston and Louisiana kill 10 as the storm weakens, raising total deaths to 15 from the hurricane.
- Sep 14🚀 Robot Capsule Orbit – A Mercury vehicle successfully orbited Earth and was recovered after a 109-minute flight, marking a significant achievement in U.S. space exploration.
- Sep 15🏛️ Museum Displays Chinese Art – 231 objects from the Imperial Collection showcased at the Metropolitan Museum, highlighting the Sung Dynasty's beauty.
- Sep 16🌍 U.S. Resumes Atom Tests – The U.S. conducts an underground nuclear test in Nevada, marking the resumption of atomic testing without fallout.
- Sep 17🌍 Seattle Builds Fair – Elaborate exhibit buildings for the $80 million Seattle World's Fair take shape on a 74-acre site.
- Sep 18🌍 U.N. Discusses China Seat – Allies request U.N. to place the issue of China's representation on the agenda, marking a significant diplomatic shift.
- Sep 19✈️ Hammarskjold Dies – U.N. Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold dies in a plane crash in Africa, prompting a succession crisis at the United Nations.
- Sep 20🕊️ Cease-Fire Talks Begin – Cease-fire negotiations commenced in Ndola as Tshombe meets with a U.N. official to intensify peace efforts.
- Sep 21🚀 U.S. Space Leadership – Brainerd Holmes appointed to oversee U.S. manned space flights, aiming for a mission to the Moon.
- Sep 22🌪️ Hurricane Loses Force – Hurricane off the Atlantic Coast weakens, causing light damage. 280,000 homes in Long Island lose power as storm heads to open sea.
- Sep 23🏙️ Modernity in Bucharest – Bucharest embraces modern architecture, moving away from Soviet styles to colorful, attractive buildings.
- Sep 24🏛️ 100 Million Grant – Ford Fund initiates a $100 million program to support liberal arts at eight colleges with unrestricted gifts.
- Sep 25🌍 Pleasure Boats Rescue Jetliner – All 71 passengers on a jetliner are safely rescued after it skids into Boston Bay during landing.
- Sep 26🌍 Kennedy's U.N. Address – President Kennedy delivers a forceful speech at the U.N., praised by neutral nations in Africa and Asia for its call for unity and peace.
- Sep 27🔬 TB Drug Found Effective – A health service study shows Isoniazid therapy is 80% effective in preventing tuberculosis among 12,000 tested individuals.
- Sep 28🌍 Sierra Leone Joins UN – Sierra Leone becomes the 100th member of the United Nations by unanimous vote, marking a significant milestone in global diplomacy.
- Sep 29🏛️ U.N. Agency in Berlin – Denmark proposes to the U.N. to establish an agency in Berlin, aiming to make the city a symbol of international cooperation.
- Sep 30🏛️ Syria Forms New Cabinet – Syria establishes a new cabinet under a conservative premier, pledging free elections and civilian governance.
Happy Birthday! 1961 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1961 in real headlines. See the 1961 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: