Timeline October 1962

Events in October 1962 13

• 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 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 John Lee Hooker tours Europe with the American Folk Blues Festival British blues boom Inspires the young British blues bands.
• 1962 Little Richard tours Britain with the Beatles opening UK comeback The Beatles open for him — he teaches Paul McCartney his whoop.
• 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.