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Year kicks off
It is New Years day and the year 1961 had begun. -
John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as the President of the United States.
"Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country." -
Credit Squeeze
The Credit Squeeze hits the car industry: GMH to dismiss 2,600 workers. -
Ford sacks 900 workers
Ford sacks 980 workers, making a total of 2000 since the previous November. -
Hotels and Theatres open on Anzac Day for the first time
Apr 25 Hotels and theatres open for the first time on Anzac Day. Organised sport allowed in the afternoon -
First American suborbital flight
NASA launches Alan Shepard in Freedom 7, first American human suborbital flight. -
Going to the Moon
The trip to the moon begins in this year of 1961. -
The Last Tram runs
Hobart: The last tram runs. Earlier in April, a runaway tram crashed into another tram. Several vehicles, including a bus, were hit by the trams. A conductor was killed and more than 40 people were treated for injuries in the Royal Hobart Hospital. -
Rod Laver wins Men's Singles tennis final at Wimbeldon
On 8th of July 1961 Rod Laver won the men's single tennis final in Wimbeldon at England. -
Tossin' and Turnin'
Tossin' and Turnin' was one of the most successful songs to be released in the early sixties. It was written by Bobby Lewis -
An end to compulsory national service training for men
Jun 30 Canberra: Compulsory national service training for men ends -
Berlin Wall was built
The Wall was erected in because more than 2.6 million East Germans escaped to West Berlin or West Germany. -
First tied cricket test
Brisbane: First tied cricket test Australia v West indies at The Gabba Crown-of-thorns starfish begins ravaging the Great Barrier Reef -
Bondi Beach
Sydney: Woman fined for being "unsuitably dressed" wearing a bikini at Bondi Beach
