April 30, 1961
Gas cost $0.31 a gallon in the spring of 1961, and the Dow Jones stood at 731 — a young Navy test pilot named Alan Shepard had just become the first American in space, riding a Freedom 7 capsule on a 15-minute suborbital flight that May and returning to a hero's welcome in Washington. On the cultural front, "Blue Moon" by The Marcels was climbing the charts with its distinctive doo-wop sound, while "The Apartment" had just taken home the Oscar for Best Picture. In sports, the Boston Celtics claimed the NBA championship over the St. Louis Hawks, and on the golf course that April, South African Gary Player became the first non-American to win the Masters Tournament.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — April 30, 1961
NY Times Headlines — Week of April 30, 1961
President Seeks A Laos Solution; Decision Delayed; He Sees Key Aides And Sets Further Session Tomorrow -- Truce Outlook Gloomy Troops Are Kept In U.S. Planned Airlift Of 6,000 To Nato Games In Germany Canceled By Pentagon President Seeks A Laos Solution
U.S. Brands Cuba Communist State; Says Castro Outdoes Soviet In Barring Vote -- Likens His Rallies To Hitler'S U.S. Terms Cuba Communist State
Pro-Reds Accept Laos Cease-Fire; Ask Truce Talks; Later Attack By Rebel Unit Fails To Dim Hopes That All Fighting Will Stop Kong Le Halts Troops Souvanna Phouma Proposes Political Parley To Set Up A Coalition Regime Laos Cease-Fire Called By Rebels
Fulbright Hints U.S. Weighs Use Of Troops In Asia; Senator Indicates President Is Studying Intervention In Vietnam And Thailand More Aid Will Be Sent Rusk Says Saigon Is To Get Increased Arms Help To Counteract Red Threat Fulbright Hints U.S. Weighing Use Of Troops In South Vietnam
Johnson To Meet Leaders In Asia On U.S. Troop Use; President Says Decision On South Vietnam Action Will Await Report Talks Set In Capitals Ngo Dinh Diem Is Expected To Seek American Units To Deter Red Attack Johnson To See Asian Leaders On Use Of U.S. Troops In Area
World Events — April 1961
Time Person of the Year — 1961
On the radio
Billboard Charts — April 30, 1961
Grammy Awards
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1960–61 Season
Emmy Winners — 1961
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — April 30, 1961
On the field
Sports Champions — April 30, 1961
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