Historical Events
- American Phil Hill's Ferrari team does not participate in season ending US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen having already clinched World Drivers Championship; English driver Innes Ireland wins Lotus' first ever Grand Prix
Sports History
NY Yankee pitcher Whitey Ford breaks Babe Ruth's record of 29-2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the World Series; he goes on to extend the streak to 33-2/3, which stands until 2000
- USSR performs nuclear test at Novaya Zemlya, USSR
Famous Birthdays
- Steven Bernstein, American jazz trumpeter, slide trumpeter, arranger, and band leader (Sex Mob; Millennial Territory Orchestra), born in Berkeley, California
- Ted Kooshian, American jazz pianist (Hubub!; Standard Orbit Quartet; Clowns Will Be Arriving), born in San Jose, California
Famous Deaths
- Tom Howard, American photo-journalist (Chicago Sun-Times), dies at 67
Died in 1961 1961 Highlights
About October 8, 1961
Day of the Week: Sunday
How Long Ago? 62 years, 6 months and 16 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Libra
Music Charts
#1 Song: Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles and his Orchestra
#1 Song: Michael - Highwaymen
