WHAT ALL HAPPENED JANUARY TO JUNE 1961
Find out what all happened January to June 1961

At Silchar Railway Station, Assam, 11 Bengalis die when police open fire on protesters demanding state recognition of Bengali language in the Bengali Language Movement. (19. May 1961)

Sputnik 9 successfully launches, carrying a human dummy nicknamed Ivan Ivanovich, and demonstrating that Soviet Union was ready to begin human spaceflight. (9. March 1961)

John F. Kennedy appoints Janet G. Travell to be his physician. This is the first time a woman holds the appointment of Physician to the President. (26. January 1961)

Former Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba is murdered in circumstances suggesting the support and complicity of the governments of Belgium and the United States. (17. January 1961)

Robert Noyce is granted a patent for an integrated circuit. (25. April 1961)

Jim Gentile of the Baltimore Orioles becomes the first player in baseball history to hit grand slams in consecutive innings. (9. May 1961)

The United States severs diplomatic relations with Cuba. (3. January 1961)

An earthquake rocks New South Wales. (22. May 1961)

Kuwait declares independence from the United Kingdom. (19. June 1961)

Uganda becomes self-governing and holds its first elections. (1. March 1961)

First Winter Ascent of the Eiger north face. (12. March 1961)

In the Vienna summit, the Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev sparks the Berlin Crisis by threatening to sign a separate peace treaty with East Germany and ending American, British and French access to East Berlin. (4. June 1961)

Soviet submarine S-80 sinks with all hands lost. (27. January 1961)

Sabena Flight 548 crashes in Belgium, killing 73, including the entire United States figure skating team, several coaches and family members. (15. February 1961)

Failure of the Bay of Pigs Invasion of US-backed Cuban exiles against Cuba. (20. April 1961)

Bay of Pigs Invasion: A group of Cuban exiles financed and trained by the CIA lands at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba with the aim of ousting Fidel Castro. (17. April 1961)

Soviet Union launches Venera 1 towards Venus. (12. February 1961)

In France a referendum supports Charles de Gaulle's policies in Algeria. (8. January 1961)

South Africa withdraws from the Commonwealth of Nations. (15. March 1961)

Cyprus joins the Council of Europe. (24. May 1961)