Time Capsule High School Class of 1961
Key
Facts of 1961:
-
President: John F. Kennedy
-
Vice President: Lyndon B. Johnson
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Cost of a gallon of gas: 31 cents
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Cost of a gallon of milk: 49 cents
-
Cost of a dozen of eggs: 57 cents
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Cost of a new home: $17,200
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Cost of a first class postage stamp: 4 cents
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Unemployment: 5.5%
Notable
Inventions of 1961:
Time
Capsule for 1961:
-
The CIA-backed invasion of the Bay of Pigs in Cuba is a disastrous
failure strengthening Fidel Castro's ties with the Soviet Union.
-
East Germany erects the Berlin Wall to stop the flow of refugees to the
West.
-
President Kennedy asks Americans to build nuclear fallout shelters as the
cold war tensions increase.
-
The civil rights movement mobilizes some 70,000 freedom riders to
help integrate facilities in the deep south.
-
Yo-yos are the biggest selling toy.
-
Roger Maris breaks Babe Ruth's single season home-run
record.
-
Vince Lombardi's Green Bay packer dynasty begins with an NFL title win
over the New York Giants.
-
Movies: The film version
of West Side Story earns the Oscar for best picture. Other notable movies for 1961 were
Two Women, Breakfast at Tiffany's, 101 Dalmations, Guns of Navarone,
The Absent-Minded Professor and
El Cid.
Television: Federal Communications Commissioner Newton
Minow calls commercial television a vast wasteland. The golden age of TV westerns continues as three of
the most popular shows are Wagon
Train, Bonanza
, Gunsmoke. Other popular series
were Hazel, Perry
Mason and The Red Skelton
Show.
The Top
Musical Artists of 1961 Were:
Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Chubby Checker, Connie Francis, The
Shirelles, Jackie Wilson, Bobby Vee, Fats Domino, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Brook Benton, The Everly Brothers,
Bobby Rydell, Linda Scott, Ben E. King, Adam Wade, Del Shannon, Hank Ballard & The Midnighters, Ray Charles,
Bobby Lewis.
Top
Musical Artist Debuts of 1961:
Gene Pitney, Mary Wells, Carla Thomas, Chuck Jackson, Aretha
Franklin, Del Shannon, The Tokens, Linda Scott, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Gladys Knight & The Pips,
Spinners, Ray Stevens, The Marvelettes, The Lettermen, Solomon Burke, Glen Campbell, Vic Dana
Other
Musical Tidbits:
Go to 1962
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