Taylor Committee Review Participation
Robert Kennedy participates in the presidential inquiry examining responsibility for the failed invasion.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1961 in United States of America — Page 5
Explore 334 historical events and records for United States of America in 1961.
Historical records for United States of America in 1961
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 334 unique records.
334Unique records
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31Named events on this page
14Named people on this page
16Places on this page
May
June
Siege of Berlin
Khruschev threatens to settle with East Germany if a peace Treaty is not agreed
Coup
The Kennedy administration continues covert operations against Cuba, later launching the Cuban Project to "help Cuba overthrow the Communist regime"
Cuban Project
The Kennedy administration continues covert operations against Cuba, later launching the Cuban Project to "help Cuba overthrow the Communist regime"
Kennedy administration continues covert operations against Cuba, later launching
The Kennedy administration continues covert operations against Cuba, later launching the Cuban Project to "help Cuba overthrow the Communist regime". Elizabeth II entertains President Kennedy
Cuba Study Group Report Submitted
Taylor submits findings and recommendations from the presidential review.
Aid to Vietnam
Kennedy sends General Taylor & advisers to discuss troop support for Diem
Cold War
Kennedy attends a summit with Premier Khrushchev in Vienna to discuss cold war confrontations between the east & west, in particular the situation in Berlin
Conference of Vienna
The failure of the two leaders to resolve any of their differences during the summit led Khrushchev to view Kennedy as a weak president. Kennedy attends a summit with Premier Khrushchev in Vienna to discuss cold war confrontations between the east & west, in particular the situation in Berlin
Conference of Vienna
Russia & the USA agree to enforce a truce within their areas of influence. Kennedy & Khrushchev meet to avoid direct confrontation between USA & Russia
Mobilization
Kennedy sends General Taylor & advisers to discuss troop support for Diem
Training Moved Abroad
Hunt advises exile contacts that military training must occur outside United States territory.
July
Birth of Frederick Carlton Carl Lewis
Birth of Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis.
Death of Ernest Miller Hemingway
Death of Ernest Miller Hemingway, suicide
Suicide
Found shot through the head by his own gun. Death of Ernest Miller Hemingway, suicide
Unannounced Moscow Embassy Visit
Lee appeared unexpectedly at the closed American Embassy on July 8 and contacted consul Richard Snyder by telephone.
Liberty Bell 7 Mercury
Grissom pilots Liberty Bell 7 on the second American crewed suborbital flight under Project Mercury.
Liberty Bell 7 Recovery
After Grissom's successful Mercury flight, Liberty Bell 7 sinks following premature opening of the spacecraft's explosive hatch.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
Calls for an extra $3.25 billion in defense spending & an increase in US & NATO forces
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
Calls for an extra $3.25 billion in defense spending & an increase in US & NATO forces
Siege of Berlin
Announces on TV Berlin had become "the great testing place of Western courage & will"
American Passport Restored
After an embassy interview in July 1961, officials concluded that Oswald had not expatriated himself and returned his American passport.
August
Soviet Exit Visa Paperwork
Lee and Marina submitted the numerous certificates, photographs, and forms required for Soviet permission to leave the country.
September
Post-Invasion Trade Restrictions Considered
Kennedy receives authority to impose broader trade restrictions against Cuba.
Nuclear Power
The United States nuclear testing moratorium ends
NASA
NASA Administrator James E. Webb announced the site of the NASA centre dedicated to human space flight would be Houston, Texas, this becomes the Manned Spacecraft Center, renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1973
McCloy-Zorin Accords
The United States and the Soviet Union sign a "Joint Statement of Agreed Principles for Disarmament Negotiations," the McCloy-Zorin Accords
Nuclear Power
The United States and the Soviet Union sign a "Joint Statement of Agreed Principles for Disarmament Negotiations," the McCloy-Zorin Accords
Peace
Signs a law making the Peace Corps permanent
Peace Corps
Signs a law making the Peace Corps permanent
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Established
Signs legislation creating the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
DCI Selection Announced
President Kennedy announced that he intended to appoint McCone to succeed Allen Dulles as Director of Central Intelligence.
New York Times Review
Publishes a New York Times review that helps Dylan's reputation.
Siege of Berlin
Increases the US garrison in Berlin by 1,500
October
Aid to Vietnam
Kennedy authorizes fighter bomber trainers to the Bien Hoa Air Base
Aid to Vietnam
Kennedy sends General Taylor & advisers to discuss troop support for Diem
Mobilization
Kennedy sends General Taylor & advisers to discuss troop support for Diem
Intelligence Community Consultant
McCone began serving as a consultant so he could familiarize himself with CIA and the wider Intelligence Community before formally taking office.
Columbia Records
John Hammond signs Dylan to Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Signs Bob Dylan to Columbia Records.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.