Explorer 9 Launches in Explorer Program, February 16, 1961

U Thant is unanimously appointed as the 3rd Secretary-General of the United Nations, becoming the first non-European individual to occupy the post. Date: November 3, 1961 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on November 3 📅 Events on this day in 1961 📅 On This Day (Today) More events from 1961Soviet Navy Tests…

During the Algiers putsch by French generals, President Charles de Gaulle announces he has assumed emergency powers, and calls on troops and civilians to support him. Date: April 23, 1961 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on April 23 📅 Events on this day in 1961 📅 On This Day (Today) More events…

Vietnam War: The U.S. Army begins Operation Ranch Hand, spraying an estimated 20 million US gallons (76,000 m3) of defoliants and herbicides over rural areas of South Vietnam in an attempt to deprive the Viet Cong of food and vegetation cover. Date: August 10, 1961 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on August 10 📅…

Cold War: In the Vienna summit, the Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev sparks the Berlin Crisis by threatening to sign a separate peace treaty with East Germany and ending American, British and French access to East Berlin. Date: June 4, 1961 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on June 4 📅 Events on this…

Project Mercury: Mercury-Redstone 2: The chimpanzee Ham travels into outer space. Date: January 31, 1961 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 31 📅 Events on this day in 1961 📅 On This Day (Today) More events from 1961Alan Shepard First American in Space, Project Mercury May 5, 1961Park Chung Hee Coup…