1961

• First manned space flight of one complete earth orbit was accomplished on April 12 by the USSR Vostok I and Cosmonaut Yury Gagarin.
   
• The Berlin wall was erected; it cuts the city in two.
   
• President John Kennedy initiates the Peace Corps to aid underdeveloped nations.

Major Yuri Gagarin

Other Facts from 1961

President: John F. Kennedy     Average annual income $5,315 New car $2,849 Loaf of bread $0.21 Gallon of milk $1.05 Gallon of gas $0.27     Dow Jones Average  610 to 735

Songs From 1961

  “Moon River”
  “Run Around Sue”
  “Love Makes the World Go Around”