Video: '3/1/61: JFK Establishes the Peace Corps'
(Wednesday, March 1, 1961, news conference held at 10:00-10:29 a.m. EST) — President John F. Kennedy Kennedy issued an executive order today creating a Peace Corps, an independent agency and volunteer program run by the United States Government providing international social and economic development assistance.
Continue reading President Kennedy signs executive order establishing Peace Corps 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1961)
(Monday, February 27, 1961) — “Pony Time” by Chubby Checker peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three consecutive weeks (Feb. 27, Mar. 6/13, 1961).
Continue reading ‘Pony Time’ by Chubby Checker peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 27 1961)
(Monday, February 20, 1961) — “Shop Around” by The Miracles peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.
Continue reading ‘Shop Around’ by The Miracles peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 20 1961)
Video: 'Documentary - the 1961 U.S. Figure Skating Team & the Sabena Flight 548 air disaster'
(Wednesday, February 15, 1961, 10:05 a.m. Central European Time) — 73 people, including all 18 members of the U.S. figure skating team en route from New York City to Brussels, Belgium, to the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia, were killed today in the crash of a Sabena Airlines Boeing 707 in Belgium.
Continue reading All 18 members of U.S. figure skating team among 72 killed in jet crash near Brussels 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 15 1961)
(Monday, February 13, 1961) — “Calcutta” by Lawrence Welk peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (Feb. 13/20, 1961).
Continue reading ‘Calcutta’ by Lawrence Welk peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1961)
(Monday, February 13, 1961) — “Calendar Girl” by Neil Sedaka peaked at #4 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.
Continue reading ‘Calendar Girl’ by Neil Sedaka peaks at #4 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1961)
Video: 'The Cavern Club: The Beat Goes On - Official Trailer'
(Thursday, February 9, 1961, 12:00-2:00 p.m. GMT) — The English rock band The Beatles (featuring John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best) debuted today at The Cavern Club, situated on Mathew Street in central Liverpool, swiftly establishing themselves as the club’s signature act and attracting a loyal audience.
Continue reading The Beatles perform at Liverpool’s Cavern Club for first time 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 9 1961)
Video: 'NASA's First Trained Astronaut in Space'
(Tuesday, January 31, 1961, 11:55 a.m. EST) — A 37-pound male chimpanzee nicknamed “Ham” was rocketed into space today from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard Mercury-Redstone 2 in a test of the Project Mercury capsule that is scheduled to carry a human astronaut into orbit.
Continue reading NASA launches rocket carrying Ham the Chimp into space 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 31 1961)
(Monday, January 30, 1961) — “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by The Shirelles peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 1961).
Continue reading ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ by The Shirelles peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1961)
Video: 'President John F. Kennedy's First Televised News Conference of January 25, 1961'
(Wednesday, January 25, 1961, 6:00 p.m. EST) — Five days after being inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy held the first ever live presidential news conference tonight at the State Department Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Continue reading JFK becomes first U.S. president to hold a live televised news conference 60 years ago this hour (Jan 25 1961)
