World Events in 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis
A 13-day confrontation between the US and Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. President Kennedy imposed a naval blockade, and Khrushchev eventually agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for a US pledge not to invade Cuba.
Algeria Gains Independence from France
After eight years of brutal war, Algeria won independence following a referendum. Over a million French settlers departed, ending 132 years of colonial rule.
James Meredith Enrolls at University of Mississippi
James Meredith became the first African American student at the University of Mississippi, triggering riots that required federal troops to quell. It was a pivotal moment in the civil rights struggle.
Second Vatican Council Opens
Pope John XXIII opened Vatican II, the most significant ecumenical council of the modern Catholic Church. The council would modernise many aspects of Catholic practice over the following three years.
Sino-Indian War
China launched a surprise military offensive against India over disputed Himalayan border territory. The brief but intense conflict ended in Chinese victory and remains a source of tension between the two nations.
Music in 1962
"I Remember You"
Frank Ifield
Australian-born, British-based singer Frank Ifield topped the UK chart for seven weeks with this yodelling ballad, the best-selling UK single of 1962.
"Stranger on the Shore"
Mr. Acker Bilk
This clarinet instrumental by British musician Acker Bilk topped the US chart and became the first number one by a British artist on the Billboard Hot 100.
#1 Film of 1962
Lawrence of Arabia
Box Office: $70 million
David Lean's sweeping epic starring Peter O'Toole won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. It is consistently ranked among the greatest films ever made.
Born in 1962
Tom Cruise
American actor known for Top Gun, Mission: Impossible franchise, and Jerry Maguire
Jodie Foster
American actress and director known for The Silence of the Lambs and Taxi Driver
Steve Irwin
Australian wildlife expert and television personality known as 'The Crocodile Hunter'
Jon Bon Jovi
American rock singer and frontman of Bon Jovi
Matthew Broderick
American actor known for Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Producers
Lost in 1962
Marilyn Monroe
American actress and cultural icon, starred in Some Like It Hot and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Age 36
Eleanor Roosevelt
Former First Lady of the United States, diplomat, and human rights advocate
Age 78
Hermann Hesse
German-Swiss Nobel Prize-winning author of Steppenwolf and Siddhartha
Age 85
Charles Laughton
English-American actor known for Mutiny on the Bounty and The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Age 63
Technology in 1962
The space race accelerated with manned orbital flights. Telstar made live transatlantic TV possible, the first computer video game appeared, and transistor technology was steadily shrinking electronic devices.
- ● John Glenn orbited Earth aboard Friendship 7
- ● Telstar 1 satellite enabled first live transatlantic TV broadcast
- ● The first computerised video game Spacewar! was created at MIT
- ● The Audio cassette compact tape was invented by Philips
Cost of Living in 1962
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £2,950 | $12,800 |
| Average salary | £800 | $5,650 |
| Pint of milk | 5d | $0.13 |
| Loaf of bread | 6d | $0.21 |
| Dozen eggs | 3s 9d | $0.55 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 3d | $0.30 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 4s 8d | $0.31 |
| Cinema ticket | 3s 0d | $0.70 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1962
James Bond burst onto cinema screens, The Beatles released their first single, and Marilyn Monroe's death shocked the world. In sport, Brazil retained the football World Cup in Chile, and Sonny Liston demolished Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight title. The satirical boom took hold in Britain with That Was the Week That Was and Private Eye magazine.
In the News in 1962
John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from Britain. The Telstar satellite enabled the first live transatlantic television broadcast. Thalidomide's devastating effects on unborn children became a major scandal.