July 13, 1961
The federal minimum wage stood at $1.15/hr that summer of 1961, and the Dow Jones sat at 731 — with the United States and Soviet Union locked in a standoff over the future of Berlin, as Washington issued firm warnings to Moscow that Western rights in the divided city would be defended. On the cultural front, Bobby Lewis spent the summer at number one on the charts with "Tossin' And Turnin'," while television audiences were tuning in to the Western drama "Gunsmoke" week after week. On August 6, Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov launched aboard "Vostok 2" and became the first human being to spend more than a single day in outer space, completing 17 orbits before landing safely — a milestone that underscored how quickly the space race was accelerating.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — July 13, 1961
NY Times Headlines — Week of July 13, 1961
Humphrey Reports Soviet Is 'Not Ready' For A War; Senator Says Food Crisis In Red Bloc May Have Forced Berlin Threat Humphrey Doubts Soviet Seeks War
U.S. Warns Soviet It Will Defend Rights In Berlin; Firm Reply To Khrushchev Demand For Peace Treaty Assails Threat To City Allies Support Stand Note Challenges Moscow To Negotiate Issue On Basis Of Self-Determination U.S. Warns Soviet On Berlin Rights
World Events — July 1961
Time Person of the Year — 1961
On the radio
Billboard Charts — July 13, 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 — July 13, 1961
On the field
Sports Champions — July 13, 1961
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