July 31, 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 31, 1961
NY Times Headlines — Week of July 31, 1961
Reserves Bill Is Approved By House In 403-To-2 Vote; President Gets Measure To Authorize A Call-Up Of 250,000 -- Four Bases For B-47 Bombers To Stay Open Congress Passes Reservists Bill
Soviet Stresses Military Aspects Of New Program; Emphasis Seen As Warning To West And Steeling Of People For Berlin Test Soviet Stresses Military Goals Of Program As Warning To West
Soviet Held Wary On China A-Bomb; Dean Says Moscow Has Indicated Need Of Test Ban To Curb Peiping Soviet Held Wary Of China A-Bomb
World Events — July 1961
Time Person of the Year — 1961
On the radio
Billboard Charts — July 31, 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 31, 1961
On the field
Sports Champions — July 31, 1961
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