December 1961

Friday 01:

The independent Republic of West Papua is proclaimed in modern-day Western New Guinea.

Saturday 02:

Cold War: In a nationally broadcast speech, Cuban leader Fidel Castro declares that he is a Marxist-Leninist and that Cuba was going to adopt Communism.

Saturday 09:

Adolf Eichmann found guilty of war crimes in Israel

Friday 15:

An Israeli war crimes tribunal sentences Adolph Eichmann to die for his part in the Jewish holocaust

Sunday 17:

A fire at a circus in Niteroi, Brazil kills 323 people.

Monday 18:

Indonesia invades New Guinea to annex western New Guinea, formerly known as Netherlands New Guinea.

Tuesday 19:

The Indian Army invades the Portuguese province of Estado da India Portuguesa (Portuguese State of India) which will become part of India.

Sunday 31:

The Marshall Plan expires after distributing more than USD $12 billion in foreign aid to rebuild Europe.