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A signifiacnt event from each month during 1961
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Oral contraceptives are first sold in Australia
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John F. Kennedy becomes the 35th president of the United States.
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The last public trams in Sydney, Australia, cease operation, bringing to an end the Southern Hemisphere's largest tramway network.
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The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs is signed at New York.
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The trial of Nazi Adolf Eichmann begins in Jerusalem.
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U.S. Freedom Riders begin interstate bus rides to test the new U.S. Supreme Court integration decision.
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South Africa officially leaves the Commonwealth of Nations.
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Ethiopia experiences her most devastating earthquake of the 20th century, with a magnitude of 6.7. The town of Majete is destroyed, 45% of the houses in Karakore collapse, 17 kilometers (11 miles) of the main road north of Karakore are damaged by landslides and fissures, and 5,000 inhabitants in the area are left homeless.
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A Paris-to-Strasbourg train derails near Vitry-le-François; 24 are killed, 109 injured.
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Diana, Princess of Wales is born in Sandringham, Norfolk, England, to her parents: Frances Spencer, Viscountess Althorp and John Spencer, Viscount Althorp (later the 8th Earl Spencer).
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Ireland submits the first ever application to join the then European Economic Community.
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Britain applies for membership in the European Economic Community.
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Construction of the Berlin Wall begins, restricting movement between East Berlin and West Berlin and forming a clear boundary between West Germany and East Germany, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.
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Four Corners TV current affairs program first screened on ABC TV
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Tom and Jerry make a return with their first episode since 1957, Switchin' Kitten. The new creator, Gene Deitch makes 12 more Tom and Jerry episodes until 1962.
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During the F1 Italian Grand Prix on the circuit of Monza, German Wolfgang Von Trips, driving a Ferrari, crashes into a stand, killing 14 spectators and himself.
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The death penalty is abolished in New Zealand.
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West Side Story is released as a film.
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The Fantastic Four #1 comic debuts, launching the Marvel Universe and revolutionizing the American comic book industry.
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Neil Armstrong records a world record speed in a rocket plane of 6,587 km/h flying a X-15.
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Cold War: In a nationally broadcast speech, Cuban leader Fidel Castro announces he is a Marxist-Leninist, and that Cuba will adopt socialism.
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The Vietnam War officially begins, as the first American helicopters arrive in Saigon along with 400 U.S. personnel.
Adolf Eichmann is pronounced guilty of crimes against humanity by a panel of 3 Israeli judges. -
Goa is officially ceded to India after 400 years of Portuguese rule.
