1961.
The year I was born. An October baby. My mother groaned she was in labour for more than 12 hours. For first-time moms like her, they say it is "normal".
What she meant I believe was that she was in unbearable pain for more than half a day. I cannot imagine what she, and indeed all mothers go through. I know I would have gone mad if the tables had been turned!
So, what happened in 1961?
Incredible as it may seem, it was still Malaya then. Malaysia would come into being two years later. Perhaps I've taken it for granted that we were always Malaysians.
10 of the Best Headlines:
1. Nonetheless, come November, P. Ramlee would marry his Saloma.
2. The Cold War (1947-1991) was in full swing.
3. In April 1961, the United States failed to overthrow the Cuban government led by Fidel Castro in the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion.
4. Not to be outdone, the Soviets got busy building the wall dividing East and West Berlin in August. A case of if you can do something stupid, I can do one better.
5. Also in April, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space.
6. Totenham Hotspur become the 1st team in the 20th century to win the English League Div 1 title and the FA Cup in the same season.
7. “Blue Moon”, and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” ruled the airwaves.
8. Folk singer-songwriter Bob Dylan made his debut with his self-titled album, featuring songs like "Song to Woody" and "Talkin' New York.
9. To top it all, Barrack Obama, George Clooney and the future Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer were all born.
10. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and my favourite - Alistair MacLean's The Guns of Navarone were released.
Not bad company. I was in a league of our own!
Trivia:
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