On this day

July 4, 1961

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

Historical Context for July 4, 1961

In 1961, the world population was approximately 3,064,869,675 people[โ€ ]

Notable Births

Richard Garriott

1961Richard Garriott, English-American video game designer, created the Ultima series[โ€ ]

Richard Allen Garriott de Cayeux is a British-born American video game developer, entrepreneur and private astronaut.

Historical Events

Soviet submarine K-19

1961On its maiden voyage, the Soviet nuclear-powered submarine K-19 suffers a complete loss of coolant to its reactor. The crew are able to effect repairs, but 22 of them die of radiation poisoning over the following two years.[โ€ ]

K-19 was the first submarine of the Project 658 class, the first generation of Soviet nuclear submarines equipped with nuclear ballistic missiles, specifically the R-13 SLBM. The boat was hastily built by the Soviets in response to United States' developments in nuclear submarines as part of the arms race. Before she was launched, 10 civilian workers and a sailor died due to accidents and fires. After K-19 was commissioned, the boat had multiple breakdowns and accidents, several of which threatened to sink the submarine.

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Headlines from July 4, 1961

U.N. CHIEF REJECTS SOVIET'S DEMANDS ON REVISING STAFF; Hammarskjold Says 3-Way Division on Political Basis Would Violate Charter OFFERS OWN PROPOSAL Criticizing Report of Review Board, He Rebuffs Neutrals on Sharing of His Duties U.N. Chief Rejects Soviet View On Allocating Secretariat Jobs

By Kathleen Teltsch Special To the New York Times

Hammarskjold rejects USSR demand for staffing along 3 pol divs, plans reforms for better geog balance by '63, rept on rev bd recommendations; charges bd, by involving itself in pol, overstepped instructions to concentrate on econ and efficiency; rejects 3-nation proposal that he share responsibility with under secs representing pol divs; agrees Communist and African nations should have more posts; plans to increase under secs from 13 to 14 and reshuffle responsibilities

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BAGHDAD ASSAILS BRITISH IN KUWAIT; Terms Landings a Menace to Iraq -- Bids Arabs Unite to Repel 'Aggression' Volunteers as Well as British Troops Make Ready to Defend Kuwait BAGHDAD ASSAILS BRITISH IN KUWAIT

By the Associated Press

Iraq scores troops as threat to security; calls on all Arabs to unite against 'imperialist aggression'; Macmillan sees continued danger of Iraqi attack, s, Commons; 3,000 Brit troops within 5 mi of Iraq border; Iraqi Min Jawad reptdly resigned over handling of dispute; illus

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GEN. CHANG QUITS TOP KOREA POSTS; PAK HEADS JUNTA; Behind-Scenes Chief Takes Control After Reports of Raid on Premier's Office GEN. CHANG QUITS TOP KOREA POSTS

By Special to The New York Times

Chang Do Young resigns as junta chmn and Cabinet head, statement; says better qualified leader is needed; Pak Chung Hi succeeds him as chmn, Min Song Yo Chan becomes Cabinet chief; Chang reptdly was taken into custody by mil officers in dawn raid; Pak reapptd junta Standing Com chmn; Govt repts resignation of 3 army officers from junta; sets limit on number of mil officers permitted to serve in Govt posts, Chang text

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MARITIME STRIKE HALTED BY COURT ON KENNEDY PLEA; Government's Request for Taft-Hartley Injunction Sees Peril to U.S. UNIONS LOSE IN APPEAL They Argue That Half of the Fleet Is Free, but Federal Order Is Upheld MARITIME STRIKE HALTED BY COURT

By Edward A. Morrow

Fed Dist Judge Ryan temporarily enjoins strike at Pres Kennedy request, under Taft-Hartley Law provisions; Pres acts on inquiry bd repts; US Appeals Ct Judge Clark upholds Ryan, rejects unions' appeal, overrules MEBA and MMP contention that supervisory personnel are exempt

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