1962

Events in 1962 61

• 1885 – 1962 Karen Blixen (1885-1962) Died 7 September 1962, aged 77 Danish author Karen Blixen, who wrote under the pen name Isak Dinesen, died on September 7, 1962. She is best known for her memoir "Out of Africa," recounting her years running a coffee farm in Kenya. Her writing blended memoir, folklore, and fiction.
• 1885 – 1962 Niels Bohr (1885-1962) Died 18 November 1962, aged 77 Niels Bohr, the Danish physicist who won the 1922 Nobel Prize for his contributions to understanding atomic structure and quantum theory, died on November 18, 1962. He was a central figure in the development of modern physics and later advocated for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. His institute in Copenhagen trained generations of leading physicists.
• 1886 – 1962 Michael Curtiz (1886-1962) Died 10 April 1962, aged 75 Hungarian-American film director Michael Curtiz, best known for directing "Casablanca," died on April 10, 1962. Over his career he directed more than 170 films across numerous genres. "Casablanca" won the Academy Award for Best Picture and is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
• 1892 – 1962 Thomas Mitchell (1892-1962) American actor, the first to win an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony, with five major films in 1939 alone.
• 1894 – 1962 e.e. cummings (1894-1962) Died 3 September 1962, aged 67 American poet e.e. cummings, known for his unconventional syntax and typography, died of a stroke on September 3, 1962. His experimental style made him one of the most widely read poets of the 20th century. He published over 900 poems during his career.
• 1897 – 1962 William Faulkner (1897-1962) Died 6 July 1962, aged 64 William Faulkner, the Nobel Prize-winning American novelist known for works such as "The Sound and the Fury" and "As I Lay Dying," died of a heart attack on July 6, 1962. His experimental narrative techniques and depictions of the American South profoundly influenced 20th-century literature. He remains one of the most studied American writers.
• 1899 – 1962 Charles Laughton (1899-1962) Died 15 December 1962, aged 63 British-American actor Charles Laughton, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for "The Private Life of Henry VIII," died of cancer on December 15, 1962. He was known for character roles including Captain Bligh in "Mutiny on the Bounty" and Quasimodo in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." He also directed the acclaimed film "The Night of the Hunter."
• 1919 – 1962 Ernie Kovacs (1919-1962) Died 13 January 1962, aged 42 American comedian and television pioneer Ernie Kovacs died in a car accident in Los Angeles on January 13, 1962. He was known for his surreal, experimental approach to early television comedy that influenced later generations of TV producers. His widow, actress Edie Adams, spent years working to preserve his television legacy.
• 1926 – 1962 Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) Died 5 August 1962, aged 36 Marilyn Monroe, one of the most famous film actresses and cultural icons of the 20th century, was found dead at her Los Angeles home on August 5, 1962. Her death was ruled a probable suicide from barbiturate overdose. She remains one of the most enduring symbols of Hollywood stardom.
• 1928 – 1962 Yves Klein (1928-1962) Died 6 June 1962, aged 34 French artist Yves Klein, known for his monochrome paintings using a shade he patented as International Klein Blue, died of a heart attack on June 6, 1962. He was a key figure in the transition from earlier avant-garde movements to Pop Art and conceptual art. His work "Leap into the Void" remains one of the most iconic images in modern art.
• 1958 – 1962 Great Leap Forward — the worst man-made famine in history Mao's industrialisation campaign kills 15–55 million Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward (1958–62) aimed to rapidly transform China from an agrarian into a socialist industrial society through forced collectivisation and backyard steel production. The catastrophic mismanagement of agriculture, combined with officials falsifying harvest figures, caused a famine that killed between 15 and 55 million people — the deadliest famine in human history.
• 1960 – 1962 Hamburg residencies Over 10,000 hours of live performance The Beatles made five visits to Hamburg between 1960 and 1962, playing brutal multi-hour sets in clubs like the Kaiserkeller and Star-Club. The experience forged them into a formidable live act, accumulating over 10,000 hours of performance that Malcolm Gladwell later cited as the key to their mastery.
• 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis Nuclear standoff For 13 days in October 1962, the US and USSR stood on the brink of nuclear war after Soviet missiles were discovered in Cuba. Diplomacy prevailed.
• 1962 John Lee Hooker releases Boom Boom Biggest hit His best-known song, covered by the Animals.
• 1962 – 1972 Occasional vocal recordings Beyond pure instrumentals Although best known as an instrumental group, The Shadows occasionally recorded with vocals — both under their own name and through Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch's side projects — broadening their range beyond the guitar-instrumental sound that made them famous.
• 1962 – 2024 Steve Albini (1962-2024) Died 7 May 2024, aged 61 American musician and recording engineer behind Nirvana's In Utero and the Pixies' Surfer Rosa.
• 1962 Australian Open 1962 Men: Rod Laver · Women: Margaret Smith Laver completed the calendar Grand Slam in 1962.
• 1962 Western Samoa gains independence First Pacific island nation to gain 20th-century independence Western Samoa became independent from New Zealand administration on January 1, 1962, the first Pacific island nation to do so in the 20th century. Malietoa Tanumafili II became joint head of state. The country later renamed itself Samoa in 1997.
• 1962 – 2024 Ismail Haniyeh (1962-2024) Died 31 July 2024, aged 62 Palestinian politician and Hamas leader, prime minister of the Palestinian Authority in 2006-07, assassinated in Tehran.
• 1962 John Glenn orbits the Earth First American astronaut to orbit the planet Aboard Friendship 7, John Glenn completed three orbits of Earth on February 20, 1962, becoming the first American to do so. The flight was a major milestone in the Space Race against the Soviet Union. Glenn later became a US senator and returned to space in 1998.
• 1962 – 2006 Steve Irwin (1962-2006) Died 4 September 2006, aged 44 Steve Irwin, the Australian wildlife expert known as the "Crocodile Hunter," was killed by a stingray barb while filming near the Great Barrier Reef. His death was mourned worldwide and drew attention to marine safety. He was remembered for popularizing wildlife conservation on television.
• 1962 "Wonderful Land" — #1 for eight weeks February 1962 "Wonderful Land", another Jerry Lordan composition (with added strings and French horns by producer Norrie Paramor), spent eight weeks at #1 on the UK chart in 1962 — a feat matched in that decade only by Elvis Presley and later the Archies.
• 1962 – present John Stockton Stock All-time NBA leader in assists and steals.
• 1962 Jet Harris leaves, Brian "Licorice" Locking joins April 1962 Jet Harris left the band in April 1962 to pursue a solo career (and the duo with Tony Meehan). Bassist Brian "Licorice" Locking joined as his replacement.
• 1962 Ray Charles releases Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Crossing the colour line A Black star sings country — number one for 14 weeks.
• 1962 Seattle World's Fair opens Century 21 Exposition debuts the Space Needle The Century 21 Exposition opened in Seattle on April 21, 1962, showcasing space-age technology and the newly built Space Needle. Over nine million visitors attended before it closed in October. The fair left behind landmarks including the Space Needle and the Pacific Science Center.
• 1962 1962 FIFA World Cup The Battle of Santiago Brazil defended their title despite an early injury to Pelé. Winner: Brazil.
• 1962 French Open 1962 Men: Rod Laver · Women: Margaret Smith Laver won Roland Garros on his way to the calendar Grand Slam.
• 1962 Adolf Eichmann is executed Holocaust organizer hanged in Israel after landmark trial Adolf Eichmann, a chief architect of the Holocaust's logistics, was executed by hanging in Ramla, Israel on June 1, 1962. He had been captured by Israeli agents in Argentina in 1960 and convicted after a widely publicized trial. It remains the only civil execution ever carried out in Israel.
• 1962 – present Viola Amherd Current President The current President of the Swiss Confederation for the year 2024.
• 1962 – present Clyde Drexler Clyde the Glide High-flying guard and member of the 1992 Dream Team.
• 1962 Wimbledon 1962 Men: Rod Laver · Women: Karen Hantze Susman Laver completed the calendar Grand Slam in 1962.
• 1962 Algeria gains independence from France End of the Algerian War after 132 years of French rule A referendum on July 1, 1962 saw Algerians vote overwhelmingly for independence following the Évian Accords signed in March. France formally recognized Algerian sovereignty, ending the eight-year Algerian War that had killed hundreds of thousands. Ahmed Ben Bella became the country's first president later that year.
• 1962 Burundi gains independence End of Belgian trusteeship in Burundi Burundi became an independent kingdom on July 1, 1962, ending Belgian administration under a UN trusteeship. Mwami Mwambutsa IV retained the throne as constitutional monarch. The country would abolish the monarchy and become a republic in 1966.
• 1962 Rwanda gains independence End of Belgian trusteeship in Rwanda Rwanda became an independent republic on July 1, 1962, ending Belgian administration under a UN trusteeship. Grégoire Kayibanda became the country's first president. Independence followed a violent revolution in 1959 that had already overturned the Tutsi monarchy.
• 1962 Walmart is founded Sam Walton opens his first discount store in Arkansas Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in Rogers, Arkansas on July 2, 1962. The discount retail chain grew to become the world's largest company by revenue. It fundamentally reshaped American retail through its focus on low prices and supply chain efficiency.
• 1962 Andy Warhol exhibits Campbell's Soup Cans Pop Art enters the mainstream art world Andy Warhol's first solo gallery exhibition, featuring 32 paintings of Campbell's Soup cans, opened at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles on July 9, 1962. The show helped establish Pop Art as a major movement and launched Warhol's career as one of the era's most influential artists. The paintings drew on techniques from commercial advertising and mass production.
• 1962 Starfish Prime nuclear test High-altitude US nuclear detonation over the Pacific The United States detonated a 1.4-megaton nuclear warhead 400 kilometers above the Pacific Ocean on July 9, 1962, as part of Operation Fishbowl. The blast created an artificial aurora visible from Hawaii and disabled several satellites, including Telstar, through radiation damage. It remains the largest high-altitude nuclear test ever conducted.
• 1962 Telstar 1 launched First satellite to relay live transatlantic television Telstar 1, built by Bell Labs, was launched on July 10, 1962 and relayed the first live transatlantic television broadcast. It demonstrated the feasibility of satellite communications and inspired the hit instrumental "Telstar" by The Tornados. The satellite was disabled months later by radiation from the Starfish Prime nuclear test.
• 1962 – present The Rolling Stones The World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band — London 1962 The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The longest-running major rock band in history, they have released 25 studio albums and are one of the best-selling music artists ever with over 250 million records sold. The core of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Charlie Watts remained constant for over 50 years.
• 1962 US Championships 1962 Men: Rod Laver · Women: Margaret Smith Laver completed the calendar Grand Slam in 1962.
• 1962 Nelson Mandela is arrested Beginning of nearly three decades of imprisonment Nelson Mandela was arrested near Howick, South Africa on August 5, 1962, after living underground while organizing resistance to apartheid. He was initially charged with incitement and leaving the country without a passport. The arrest marked the start of 27 years of imprisonment that made him a global symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle.
• 1962 – present Patrick Ewing Big Pat The face of the New York Knicks for 15 years; 11-time All-Star.
• 1962 Jamaica gains independence End of British colonial rule in Jamaica Jamaica became an independent nation within the Commonwealth on August 6, 1962, ending over 300 years of British colonial rule. Alexander Bustamante became the country's first prime minister. The independence was marked by celebrations across the island.
• 1962 Assassination attempt on Charles de Gaulle OAS gunmen ambush the French president's motorcade Members of the paramilitary Organisation armée secrète (OAS) opened fire on President Charles de Gaulle's car at Petit-Clamart near Paris on August 22, 1962. De Gaulle and his wife escaped unharmed despite the car being hit multiple times. The attack was retaliation for de Gaulle's decision to grant Algeria independence.
• 1962 Trinidad and Tobago gains independence End of British colonial rule in the twin-island nation Trinidad and Tobago became independent from Britain on August 31, 1962, with Eric Williams serving as its first prime minister. The islands remained within the Commonwealth. Independence came amid the broader wave of decolonization across the Caribbean.
• 1962 – present Ruud Gullit The Black Tulip 1987 Ballon d'Or winner and captain of the Netherlands' Euro 1988 winning team.
• 1962 – present Keir Starmer Current Prime Minister The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, taking office in 2024.
• 1962 "Silent Spring" published Rachel Carson's book helped launch the environmental movement Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" was published on September 27, 1962, documenting the harmful effects of pesticides such as DDT on the environment. The book galvanized public concern over chemical pollution and is widely credited with helping spur the modern environmental movement. It led to policy reviews that eventually resulted in a US ban on DDT in 1972.
• 1962 James Meredith integrates the University of Mississippi Deadly riot erupts over the first Black student's enrollment James Meredith became the first Black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi on October 1, 1962, escorted by federal marshals after a court order. His arrival sparked a night of rioting by segregationist mobs that left two people dead. President Kennedy had ordered federal troops to the campus to enforce the desegregation order.
• 1962 Otis Redding records These Arms of Mine at Stax Leftover studio time Cut in the last minutes of a Johnny Jenkins session in Memphis.
• 1962 Dr. No — Sean Connery The first James Bond film opens in London. Connery is sent to Jamaica to investigate the murder of an MI6 agent and uncover the plans of the reclusive Dr. Julius No. Ursula Andress emerges from the sea in an iconic white bikini. The film establishes the franchise's template: exotic locations, a charismatic villain and a theme song that still opens every Bond film. Budget: $1.1 million. Box office: $59.6 million.
• 1962 – present James Bond — The Films Eon Productions film franchise, 1962-present The James Bond film franchise — produced by Eon Productions from 1962 to the present — is the longest-running and highest-grossing spy film series in cinema history. 25 official films, six actors as 007, total box office exceeding $7 billion, and a 26th film in development under director Denis Villeneuve. From Dr. No to No Time to Die, the franchise has defined what a blockbuster can be.
• 1962 Love Me Do released Debut single — October 5, 1962 "Love Me Do" was released as the Beatles' debut single on October 5, 1962, reaching number 17 in the UK charts. It was the beginning of one of the most extraordinary runs of success in music history.
• 1962 Uganda gains independence End of British colonial rule in East Africa Uganda became independent from Britain on October 9, 1962, with Milton Obote as prime minister and Mutesa II of Buganda as head of state. The country joined the wave of African nations gaining independence in the early 1960s. Uganda would become a republic the following year.
• 1962 Second Vatican Council opens Pope John XXIII convenes landmark Catholic reforms Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council in Rome on October 11, 1962, bringing together bishops from around the world to modernize the Catholic Church. The council, which ran until 1965, reformed the liturgy, encouraged ecumenism, and reshaped the Church's relationship with the modern world. It is considered one of the most significant religious events of the 20th century.
• 1962 Sino-Indian War Border conflict between China and India in the Himalayas China and India fought a month-long war over disputed Himalayan border territories starting October 20, 1962. Chinese forces advanced into Indian-claimed territory before declaring a unilateral ceasefire on November 21. The war damaged India's international standing and prompted a major expansion of its military.
• 1962 James Brown records Live at the Apollo Self-financed Paid for himself — it becomes one of the best-selling live albums.
• 1962 – 2024 Yahya Sinwar (1962-2024) Died 16 October 2024, aged 61 De facto leader of Hamas from 2017 and considered a principal architect of the 7 October 2023 attacks. He was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
• 1962 – 2006 Alexander Litvinenko (1962-2006) Died 23 November 2006, aged 43 Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian FSB officer living in exile in London, died three weeks after being poisoned with radioactive polonium-210. A British inquiry later concluded the killing was probably approved by the Russian state. The case severely strained UK-Russia relations.
• 1962 – 2018 Kate Spade (1962-2018) Died 5 June 2018, aged 55 American fashion designer who founded the handbag and accessories brand that bears her name. Her colorful, accessible designs made the label a major success in the 1990s and 2000s. Her death by suicide prompted wide public discussion of mental health.