Historical Events
- Columbia Records officially opens the Pitman Pressing Plant, designed by American architect Minoru Yamasaki, in Pitman, New Jersey
Event of Interest
Fidel Castro offers to exchange Bay of Pigs prisoners for 500 bulldozers
Famous Birthdays
Enya (62 years old)
Irish singer and songwriter ("Orinoco Flow"; "Carribbean Blue"; "Only Time"), born in Gweedore, County Donegal, Ireland
Famous Deaths
- Frans van Cauwelaert, Flemish minister and Mayor of Antwerp, dies at 81
- Henri Gagnon, Canadian organist (Notre-Dame Basilica (Quebec), 1915-1961), composer (Rondel de Thibaut de Champagne), and music educator, dies at 74
Died in 1961 1961 Highlights
About May 17, 1961
Day of the Week: Wednesday
How Long Ago? 62 years, 11 months and 15 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Taurus
Music Charts
#1 Song: Mother-In-Law - Ernie K-Doe
#1 Song: On The Rebound - Floyd Cramer
