On this day

September 21, 1961

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

Historical Context for September 21, 1961

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

Notable Births

1961Billy Collins, Jr., American boxer (died 1984)[†]

William Ray Collins Jr. was an American professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1983. He was undefeated before his career was cut short after his final fight when he sustained serious injuries against Luis Resto in their ten-round bout. Aided by his trainer Panama Lewis, Resto used illegal, tampered gloves with an ounce of the gloves' cushioning removed, along with hand wraps that had been soaked in plaster of Paris.

Dan Borislow

1961Dan Borislow, American businessman and inventor (died 2014)[†]

Daniel Marc Borislow was an American entrepreneur, sports team owner, inventor, and thoroughbred horse breeder. Borislow was born and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Widener University. In 1989, he founded Tel-Save, Inc. to resell access to AT&T long distance lines. Borislow took the company public in 1995, and two years later brokered a $100 million deal with AOL at the "Cafe L’Europe," Palm Beach. In early 1998, Tel-Save had sales of $300 million and was valued by Wall Street investors at $2 billion. However, due to the financial strain of paying off the AOL deal, Tel-Save lost $221 million in 1999, and Borislow sold his stock for approximately $300 million and retired.

Serena Scott Thomas

1961Serena Scott Thomas, English actress and producer[†]

Serena Harriet Scott Thomas is an English actress and documentary producer. Her television roles include Diana, Princess of Wales in Diana: Her True Story in 1993. Her film appearances include The World Is Not Enough (1999), Hostage (2005), Brothel (2008), and Inherent Vice (2014).

Nancy Travis

1961Nancy Travis, American actress and producer[†]

Nancy Ann Travis is an American actress. She began her career on Off-Broadway theater, before her first leading screen role in the ABC television miniseries Harem opposite Omar Sharif. Her breakthrough came in 1987, playing Sylvia Bennington in the comedy film Three Men and a Baby. She later starred in its sequel, Three Men and a Little Lady (1990).

Notable Deaths

Ed Oliver (golfer)

1961Ed Oliver, American golfer (born 1915)[†]

Edward Stewart "Porky" Oliver, Jr. was a professional golfer from the United States. He played on what is now known as the PGA Tour in the 1940s and 1950s.

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Headlines from September 21, 1961

GENERAL MOTORS AND UNION REACH ACCORD IN STRIKE; Executive Board Supports Agreement Despite Vote by Union's Council LOCAL ISSUES A FACTOR Reuther Says New Plan Will Expedite Peace at Plants Involved in Disputes ACCORD REACHED BY G.M. AND UNION

By Damon Stetson Special To the New York Times

UAW and co agree on 3-yr pact including non-econ provisions; Reuther hails pact; bars co-wide strike in support of local issues; cites new approach to expedite local pacts; 59 plants still closed

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POSITIONS FROZEN; Truce Follows Parley in Rhodesia -- Trade of Prisoners Set Tshombe and U.N. Announce Cease-Fire Accord on Fighting in Katanga Province TROOPS IN CONGO FOUGHT 8 DAYS Pact Follows 48-Hour Talk in Rhodesia -- It Provides for Prisoner Exchange

By David Halberstam Special To the New York Times

Tshombe and Khiari agree on provisional cease-fire; truce appears to freeze present situation; prisoners exch set; 4-man comm to oversee cease-fire; heavy fighting continues, Elisabethville; Adoula says Govt will 'spare no effort' to end Katanga secession, radio s before cease-fire accord; says Katanga is aided by 'capitalist imperialism'; crowds demonstrate at Brit and Portuguese Embassies, Leopoldville; USSR diplomats seek Leopoldville bldg for new Embassy

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