Historical Events
- 1st on-the-road Spacemobile lecture given.
- CORE begins freedom rides from Washington, D.C.
- Malcolm Ross & Victor Prather reach 34,668 m (record) in balloon
- South Africa ANC leader John Nkadimeng arrested
Famous Birthdays
- Ishita Bhaduri, Indian (Bengali) poet, born in Kolkata, India
- Jay Aston, English singer (Bucks Fizz), born in Purley, Surrey
- Luis Herrera, Colombian cyclist (Vuelta a España General classification 1987; Tour de France mountains classification 1985, 87; Giro d'Italia mountains classification 1989), born in Fusagasugá, Colombia
- Mary Elizabeth McDonough, American actress (Erin in The Waltons), born in Van Nuys, California
Famous Deaths
- Anita Stewart, American silent film actress (South of Hell Mountain), producer, and mystery novelist, dies of a heart attack at 66
Died in 1961 1961 Highlights
About May 4, 1961
Day of the Week: Thursday
How Long Ago? 62 years, 11 months and 21 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Taurus
Music Charts
#1 Song: Runaway - Del Shannon
#1 Song: Blue Moon - Marcels
