January 20, 1961. John F. Kennedy inaugurated. ... March 1, 1961. Temporary Peace Corps created. ... April 12, 1961. Yuri Gagarin becomes first in space. ... April 17, 1961. Bay of Pigs. ... May 4, 1961. First Freedom Ride. ... May 5, 1961. An American in space. ... May 25, 1961. Kennedy plans a man on the moon. ... June 3, 1961. Kennedy meets with Khrushchev.
