May 21st
The first races were held at Crystal Palace in London before a crowd of over 10,000 people.
Michael Duff takes 11th place in the 1961 French Grand Prix on a Matchless G50. After a career spanning more than three decades in motorcycle racing, journalism and as a dealer snd specialist mechanic, he changed his name and became a she. In 1996 Michelle Duff published "Make Haste, Slowly", the Mike Duff Story.
Helmets become compulsory in California. State-wide protests erupt about the cancellation of Darwin's Law.