US GDP (1998 dollars): $526.6 billion
Federal spending: $92.19 billion
Federal debt: $290.5 billion
Consumer Price Index: 29.6
Unemployment: 5.5%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.04
American U-2 spy plane, piloted by Francis Gary Powers, shot down over Russia (May 1).
Top Nazi murderer of Jews, Adolf Eichmann, captured by Israelis in Argentina (May 23)—executed in Israel in 1962.
Communist China and Soviet Union split in conflict over Communist ideology.
There are 900 US military advisers in South Vietnam. Background: Vietnam War.
John F. Kennedy defeats Richard Nixon in a closely-fought presidential race.
World Series
Pittsburgh defeated NY Yankees (4-3)
NBA Championship
Boston defeated St. Louis Hawks (4-3)
Kentucky Derby Champion
Venetian Way
NCAA Basketball Championship
Ohio St. defeated California (75-55)
NCAA Football Champions
Minnesota (AP, UPI, NFF) (8-2-0) & Mississippi (FW) (10-0-1)
Seventy million people watch the presidential debate between Sen. John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon.
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho terrifies movie-goers and becomes one of the year's most successful films, as well as one of the most memorable psychological thrillers.
Best Picture: Ben-Hur
Best Actor: Charlton Heston, Ben-Hur
Best Supporting Actor: Hugh Griffith, Ben-Hur
Best Actress: Simone Signoret, Room at the Top
Best Supporting Actress: Shelley Winters, The Diary of Anne Frank
Best Director: William Wyler, Ben-Hur
