What Happened on April 12, 1961

Historical Events

Grammy Awards

3rd Grammy Awards: Theme From a Summer Place, Ray Charles wins 4

Sports History

Douglas MacArthur declines offer to become baseball commissioner

Launch of Vostok 1

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to travel into space and orbit Earth, aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft


1961 History

Famous Birthdays

  • D. D. Verni, American heavy metal bassist, and songwriter (Overkill - "Hello From the Gutter"), born in New Providence, New Jersey
  • Julius Kariuki, Kenyan 3K steeplechaser (Olympic gold 1988), born in Nyahururu, Kenya
  • Magda Szubanski, Australian actress (Kath & Kim), born in Liverpool, Merseyside, England
  • Willi Ninja [William Leake], American dancer and choreographer (Paris Is Burning), born in New Hyde Park, Long Island, New York (d. 2006)
Born in 1961

Famous Deaths

  • Nils-Eric Fougstedt, Finnish composer (Angoscia, Trittico sinfonico), dies at 50
  • Philippine "Pine" Belder [Mary de Klerk], actress, dies at 93
1961 Highlights

About April 12, 1961

Day of the Week: Wednesday
How Long Ago? 62 years, 11 months and 17 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Aries

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Blue Moon - The Marcels
  • UK #1 Song: Wooden Heart - Elvis Presley