On this day
Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
Portrait 1080 × 1920 PNG · created on your device
Balaguer announces apptmt of 6-man Council of State over which he will preside; pledges to resign when OAS lifts sanctions; backed by Rodriguez; includes Opposition leaders on Council
Adoula tells Kennedy he is willing to conf with Tshombe; Gullion to escort Tshombe to and from Kitona; Tshombe wants Bunche and Gullion to attend conf; Thant orders Bunche and Gardiner to aid Adoula and Tshombe
Indian troops under Lt Gen Chaudhuri invade Goa, Diu and Damao enclaves; meet some resistance; Menon says they were instructed to use minimum force; says invasion was ordered because of complete breakdown in civilian adm and provocations against Indian borders; communications between Goa and Lisbon cut; USSR Pres Brezhnev, in Bombay, backs Indian move; maps
Circus tent fire in Niterei, Brasil, kills of least 285, mostly children, injures 600; map; many were trampled to death in panic; repts of arson noted; State Legis votes emergency funds; Sra Goulart orders Assistance Legion to aid
1961Brian Orser, Canadian figure skater and coach[†]
Brian Ernest Orser OLY is a Canadian former competitive and professional figure skater and coach to Olympic champions. He is the 1984 and 1988 Olympic silver medallist, 1987 World champion and eight-time (1981–88) Canadian national champion. At the 1988 Winter Olympics, the rivalry between Orser and American figure skater Brian Boitano, who were the two favorites to win the gold medal, captured media attention and was described as the "Battle of the Brians".
1961Lalchand Rajput, Indian cricketer[†]
Lalchand Sitaram Rajput; is an Indian cricket coach and former cricketer. He was appointed head coach of the United Arab Emirates national cricket team in 2024.
1961Leila Steinberg, American singer, producer, author, and poet[†]
Leila Steinberg is an American manager, business woman, educator, writer, poet, and founder of AIM4TheHeART, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to helping at-risk youth find their voice using an emotional literacy curriculum and writing workshops. She is best known as the artist mentor and first manager for superstar rapper Tupac Shakur. They met when he was a student in her writing workshop, The Microphone Sessions, in the Oakland Bay area. Today Leila manages the rapper Earl Sweatshirt, formerly of Odd Future.
1961Angie Stone, American singer, songwriter, and actress (died 2025)[†]
Angela Laverne Stone was an American singer-songwriter, rapper, actress, and record producer. With a career spanning over four decades, she has been credited with revolutionizing the sound of hip-hop and neo soul, making her one of the most influential figures in modern music history.
1961Leo Reisman, American violinist and bandleader (born 1897)[†]
Leo F. Reisman was an American violinist and bandleader in the 1920s and 1930s. Born and reared in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, Inspired by the Russian-American violinist Jascha Heifetz, Reisman studied violin as a young man. After being rejected by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, he formed his own band in 1919. He became famous for having over 80 hits on the popular charts during his career. Jerome Kern called Reisman's orchestra "The String Quartet of Dance Bands".
In 1961, the world population was approximately 3,064,869,675 people[†]