Historical Events
- "Let It Ride" opens at Eugene O'Neill Theater NYC for 68 performances
- USSR performs nuclear test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeast Kazakhstan
Famous Deaths
Eugene Bullard (1895-1961)
1st African-American military pilot, flew for France in World War I as part of the French Foreign Legion, dies of stomach cancer at 66
Died in 1961 1961 Highlights
About October 12, 1961
Day of the Week: Thursday
How Long Ago? 62 years, 6 months and 17 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Libra
Music Charts
- #1 Song: Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles and his Orchestra
- #1 Song: Michael - Highwaymen