US GDP (1998 dollars): $544.8 billion
Federal spending: $97.72 billion
Federal debt: $292.6 billion
Consumer Price Index: 29.9
Unemployment: 5.5%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.04
US breaks diplomatic relations with Cuba (Jan. 3). 1,200 US-sponsored anti-Castro exiles invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs (April 17); the attackers are all killed or captured by Cuban forces.
East Germany erects the Berlin Wall between East and West Berlin to halt flood of refugees (Aug. 13).
USSR detonates 50-megaton hydrogen bomb in the largest man-made explosion in history (Oct. 29).
There are 2,000 US military advisers in South Vietnam.
OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) formally constituted.
First US astronaut, Navy Cmdr. Alan B. Shepard, Jr., rockets 116.5 miles up in 302-mile trip (May 5).
World Series
NY Yankees defeated Cincinnati (4-1)
NBA Championship
Boston defeated St. Louis Hawks (4-1)
Kentucky Derby Champion
Carry Back
NCAA Basketball Championship
Cincinnati defeated Ohio St. (70-65 OT)
NCAA Football Champions
Alabama (AP, UPI, NFF) (11-0-0) & Ohio St. (FW) (8-0-1)
Patsy Cline releases "I Fall to Pieces" and "Crazy." The success of the songs help her cross over from country to pop.
West Side Story is adapted for the big screen, and will go on to win Oscars.
Best Picture: The Apartment
Best Actor: Burt Lancaster, Elmer Gantry
Best Supporting Actor: Peter Ustinov, Spartacus
Best Actress: Elizabeth Taylor, Butterfield 8
Best Supporting Actress: Shirley Jones, Elmer Gantry
Best Director: Billy Wilder, The Apartment
