1961 in Michigan explained
Events from the year 1961 in Michigan.
The top stories in Michigan in 1961, as selected by Associated Press newspaper, radio, and television editors,[1] were as follows: (1) the opening of the state's Constitutional Convention; (2) the negotiations between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and automobile manufacturers; (3) the Detroit Tigers' bid for the American League pennant with 101 wins during the 1961 season; (4) the Republican party's victory in an October 1961 election for control of the Constitutional Convention; (5) the November 7 election of Jerome Cavanagh, a 33-year-old attorney, over the incumbent, Louis Miriani, as Mayor of Detroit;[2] (6) Chrysler Corporation's legal troubles arising from the removal of William Newberg as president and the ouster of L. L. Colbert as CEO; (7) "Tractors for Freedom", a Detroit-based campaign led by Walter Reuther, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Milton S. Eisenhower that raised money in May and June 1961 in an effort to trade 500 tractors to Cuba in exchange for the freedom of 1,214 rebel prisoners captured at the Bay of Pigs Invasion;[3] [4] (8) the proposal to create a national recreation area at Sleeping Bear Dunes; (9) the failed prosecution and trial of Gordon Watson and Nelle Lassiter for the murder of her husband, Parvin "Bill" Lassiter;[5] and (10) the closure by Norge, a division of Borg-Warner, of its factory in Muskegon Heights and relocation of manufacturing operations Fort Smith, Arkansas.[6]
Office holders
State office holders
Mayors of major cities
Federal office holders
Sports
Baseball
American football
- 1961 Detroit Lions season – The Lions, under head coach George Wilson, compiled an 8–5–1 record and finished in second place in the NFL's West Division. The team's statistical leaders included Jim Ninowski with 1,921 passing yards, Nick Pietrosante with 841 rushing yards, Gail Cogdill with 956 receiving yards, and Jim Martin with 70 points scored.[13]
- 1961 Michigan State Spartans football team – Under head coach Duffy Daugherty, the Spartans compiled a 7–2 record and were ranked No. 8 in the final AP Poll. The team's statistical leaders included Pete Smith with 630 passing yards, George Saimes with 451 rushing yards, and Lonnie Sanders with 247 receiving yards.[14]
- 1961 Michigan Wolverines football team – Under head coach Bump Elliott, the Wolverines compiled a 6–3 record. The team's statistical leaders included Dave Glinka with 588 passing yards, Dave Raimey with 496 rushing yards, and Bennie McRae with 210 receiving yards.[15]
- 1961 Detroit Titans football team – Under head coach Jim Miller, the Titans compiled a 5–4 record. The team's statistical leaders included Jerry Gross with 1,126 passing yards and Vic Battani with 358 rushing yards.[16]
- 1961 Western Michigan Broncos football team – Under head coach Merle Schlosser, the Broncos compiled a 4–4–1 record.[17]
- 1961 Central Michigan Chippewas football team – Under head coach Kenneth "Bill" Kelly, the Chippewas compiled a 2–8 record.[18]
- 1961 Wayne State Tartars football team – Under head coach Harold D. Willard, the Tartars compiled a 1–6 record.[19]
- 1961 Eastern Michigan Hurons football team – Under head coach Fred Trosko, the Hurons compiled an 0–8–1 record.[20]
Basketball
Ice hockey
Golf
Boat racing
- Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race – The Sixth Girl was the 28th boat to cross the finish line but was declared the winner on July 24 based on its nine-hour handicap. The Dyna, out of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, was the first boat to cross the finish line.[33]
- APBA Gold Cup - Despite failing to win a single heat, Bill Muncey, a Detroit native driving the Miss Century 21 Thriftway Stores, won his third Gold Cup race, the unlimited hydroplane world championship, on Pyramid Lake in Nevada on August 28.[34] Muncey won a total of eight Gold Cup races between 1956 and 1979.
- Silver Cup Race - Bob Hayward, the world power boat champion, was killed when his boat, the Miss Supertest II, crashed in the third heat of the Silver Cup Race on the Detroit River on September 10.[35] Ron Musson won the race in his boat, the Miss Bardahl.[36] The Miss Bardahl went on to win five of six Gold Cup races between 1963 and 1968.
Music
- Runaway by Grand Rapids native Del Shannon was released in February and rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- I Want a Guy, the debut single from The Supremes with lead vocals by Diana Ross, was released on March 9 on the Tamla label.
- Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide, the debut single from Marvin Gaye, was released on May 25 on the Tamla label.
- Oh Mother of Mine, the debut single from The Temptations, was released on July 24 on the Miracle label. Another single from the group, Check Yourself, was released on November 7 and became a regional hit.
- Please Mr. Postman, the debut single from The Marvelettes, was released in August 1961 on the Tamla label. It became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. It was the first Motown song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 -- Shop Around had previously reached No. 2.
Chronology of events
October
December
Births
- January 9 - Al Jean, screenwriter and producer (The Simpsons, ALF, It's Garry Shandling's Show), in Farmington Hills, Michigan
- January 11 - Ali Haji-Sheikh, placekicker at Michigan (1980-1982) and in NFL (1983-1987), in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- January 17 - Keith Bostic, safety for Michigan (1979-1982) and in NFL (1983–1990), in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- February 5 - Tim Meadows, actor and comedian and one of the longest-running cast members on Saturday Night Live, in Highland Park, Michigan
- March 9 - Rick Steiner, professional wrestler, in Bay City, Michigan
- April 24 - Roger Mayweather, boxer (held world titles as a super featherweight and as a light welterweight) and trainer (for Floyd Mayweather Jr.), in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- May 7 - Lisa Rainsberger, last American woman to win a Boston Marathon (1985), in Battle Creek, Michigan
- May 20 - Lisa Kron, actress and playwright won the Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical for Fun Home, in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- June 4 - El DeBarge, singer-songwriter, producer and musician, in Detroit
- July 7 - Dean Hamel, defensive tackle in NFL (1985-1990), in Detroit
- August 18 - Bob Woodruff, television journalist, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
- August 29 - Jeff Kellogg, Major League Baseball umpire since 1991 and 5x World Series umpire, in Coldwater, Michigan
- September 28 - Gregory Jbara, Tony Award-winning film, television and stage actor (Billy Elliot the Musical), and singer, in Westland, Michigan
- October 10 - Brian Diemer, track athlete who won bronze medal in 3000m steeplechase at 1984 Olympics, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- October 24 - Rick Margitza, jazz tenor saxophonist, in Dearborn, Michigan
- October 26 - Matt Crouch, televangelist and filmmaker, in Muskegon, Michigan
- November 29 - Tom Sizemore, actor (Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down), in Detroit
- December 24 - Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors since 2014, in Royal Oak, Michigan
Gallery of 1961 births
Deaths
- January 8 - Schoolboy Rowe, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers (1932–1942) and 3× All-Star, at age 50 in El Dorado, Arkansas[38]
- April 15 - Mary Chase Stratton, ceramic artist and co-founder of Pewabic Pottery, at age 94 in Detroit[39]
- July 17 - Ty Cobb, player for the Detroit Tigers (1905–1926) and 12× AL batting champion, at age 74 in Atlanta[40]
- September 1 - Eero Saarinen, architect and industrial designer noted for his neo-futuristic style, at age 51 at the University Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan[41]
- September 26 - C. E. Wilson, President of General Motors (1941-1953), U. S. Secretary of Defense (1953-1957), at age 71 in Norwood, Louisiana[42]
- October 9 - George G. Sadowski, U.S. Congressman (1933-1951), at age 58 in Utica, Michigan[43]
- November 12 - Louis C. Rabaut, U.S. Congressman (1935-1961), at age 74 in Hamtramck, Michigan[44]
- December 27 - Tommy Hughitt, American football player for Michigan (1912-1914) and in pro football (1917-1924), at age 69 in Bartow, Florida[45]
Gallery of 1961 deaths
See also
Notes and References
- News: Michigan AP Editors Pick Con-Con as State's Top News Story of Year. The Ludington Daily News. December 27, 1961. 3. Newspapers.com.
- News: Miriani Trounced in Upset: It's Mayor Cavanagh!. Detroit Free Press. November 8, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Tractors-for-Freedom Gifts Rising. Battle Creek Enquirer. June 4, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Tractor Team Finds Hospitality in Cuba. Detroit Free Press. June 14, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Watson Acquitted; Trial for Nelle Believed Unlikely. Detroit Free Press. June 6, 1961. 3. Newspapers.com.
- News: Jobs End At Norge. Lansing State Journal. July 29, 1961. 8. Newspapers.com.
- Web site: 1961 MLB Batting Leaders. Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com. August 13, 2017.
- Web site: 1961 MLB Pitching Leaders. Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com. August 13, 2017.
- Web site: 1961 Detroit Tigers Statistics. Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 2012 University of Michigan Baseball Record Book. University of Michigan. 2012. August 12, 2017. 22, 71. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120456/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mich/sports/m-basebl/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/bsb-recordbook-2012.pdf. dead.
- 2012 Record Book, p. 13.
- 2012 Record Book, p. 23.
- News: 1961 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players. Sports Reference LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 1961 Michigan State Spartans Stats. Sports Reference LLC. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 1961 Michigan Wolverines Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 1961 Detroit Mercy Titans Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/College Football. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: Football Records: Annual Results. Western Michigan University. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: Central Michigan 2015 Football Media Guide. Central Michigan University. August 12, 2017. 100, 110. 2015. October 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161026171041/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/cmu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/misc_non_event/2015-Football-Media-Guide.pdf. dead.
- Web site: 2016 Football Media Guide. Wayne State University. 111, 114. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 2014 Digital Media Guide: Eastern Michigan University. Eastern Michigan University Football. August 12, 2017. 169, 176.
- Web site: 1960–61 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats. Sports Reference LLC. Basketball-Reference.com. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 1960–61 Detroit Titans Roster and Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/CBB. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 1960–61 Michigan State Spartans Roster and Stats. Sports Reference LLC. SR/CBB. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 1960–61 Michigan Wolverines Schedule and Results. Sports Reference LLC. SR/CBB. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 1960–61 Western Michigan Broncos Schedule and Results. Sports Reference LLC. SR/CBB. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: 1960–61 Detroit Red Wings Roster and Statistics. Sports Reference LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. August 12, 2017.
- Web site: College Hockey News. August 12, 2017 . Michigan Team History.
- Web site: College Hockey News. August 12, 2017 . Michigan Tech Team History.
- Web site: College Hockey News. August 12, 2017 . Michigan State Team History.
- News: Littler Captures Open Before Record 20,439. Detroit Free Press. June 18, 1961. 37. Newspapers.com.
- News: Burke's 71 Captures Buick Open Playoff. Detroit Free Press. July 4, 1961. 11. Newspapers.com.
- News: Barnum Keeps State Open Golf Crown. The Holland, Michigan, Evening Sentinel. August 22, 1961. 6. Newspapers.com.
- News: Chicago Boat Race Winner. Port Huron Times Herald. July 24, 1961. 1–2. Newspapers.com.
- News: Century Strikes Gold: 2nd Places Win Cup for Muncey. Detroit Free Press. August 29, 1961. 25. Newspapers.com.
- News: Racing Ace Hayward Killed as Boat Flips. Detroit Free Press. September 11, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Miss Bardahl Is the Winner Of Fatal Silver Cup Race. Detroit Free Press. September 11, 1961. 35. Newspapers.com.
- News: Negro Named to Supreme Court: Swainson Appoints Otis Smith. Lansing State Journal. October 9, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Tiger Ace Schoolboy Rowe Dies. Detroit Free Press. January 9, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Pottery, Tile Artist Dies at 94. Detroit Free Press. April 16, 1961. 18. Newspapers.com.
- News: 'Greatest Tiger' Ty Cobb Dead Of Cancer at 74. Detroit Free Press. July 18, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Famed Architect Saarinen Is Dead. Detroit Free Press. September 2, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Nation Mourns Wilson; Leaders Voice Tribute; Heart Fails Industrialist in South. Detroit Free Press. September 27, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Ex-Congressman Sadowski Dies. Detroit Free Press. October 10, 1961. 27. Newspapers.com.
- News: Rep. Rabaut Dies At Democrat Fete: Heart Fails Politician, 74. Detroit Free Press. November 13, 1961. 1. Newspapers.com.
- News: Tommy Hughitt Dies in Florida. The Escanaba Daily Press. December 29, 1961. 3. Newspapers.com.