1961
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1961 was the 90th year after the founding of the city of Birmingham.
Events
- Freedom Riders were attacked at the Birmingham Trailways Station
- 1961 Birmingham mayoral election: Art Hanes succeeded Jimmy Morgan as President of the Birmingham City Commission.
- The first senior class at Banks High School graduated.
- The 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Group was activated during the Berlin Crisis.
- October: A group of pilots from the 106th Bomb Squadron (Light) participated covertly in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.
Business
- WBRC switched from the CBS network to ABC.
- WAPI-TV picked up CBS programming along with NBC, favoring NBC's news broadcasts.
- Ed Boutwell founded Boutwell Studios at his home.
Sports
- The 1961 Birmingham Barons played a final season at Rickwood Field, not returning until 1964.
- Banks High School won city-wide championships in football, basketball and baseball.
- 56-year-old Satchel Paige pitched 25 innings with the AAA Portland Beavers.
- Sam Hairston began his scouting and coaching career with the Chicago White Sox.
Works
- May 18: "Who Speaks for Birmingham?", a documentary by Howard K. Smith, aired on CBS
- The Futuristic Sounds of Sun Ra, album by Sun Ra and his Arkestra
Books
- The Moviegoer, National Book Award-winning novel by Walker Percy.
Buildings
- A 9,000-seat upper deck was installed at Legion Field.
- An F-86D SabreJet was installed on the roof of Banks High School.
- Phillips High School gymnasium
- Tuxedo Court housing project
- John Carroll Catholic High School athletic complex on Montclair Road
- Crow Building on 6th Avenue North
People
- Sun Ra moved his Arkestra from Chicago to New York City.
Awards
- Wayne Flynt graduated from Samford University
Births
- July 1: Carl Lewis, Olympic track and field medalist
- September 29: Eddie Phillips, NBA basketball player
- Lolly Lee, singer
Deaths
- See also: List of homicides in 1961
Context
In 1961
Notable 1961 births include
Top grossing films of 1961 included
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