What happened in February 1962?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1962, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Feb 1🚀 President Links Space Growth – President Kennedy emphasizes the importance of space exploration for economic growth and national defense.
- Feb 2🔬 Biologists Study Heredity – Biologists express optimism about breakthroughs in genetic research, aiming to uncover the basis of thought and inherited illnesses.
- Feb 3🏅 First 16-Foot Vault – Marine Uelses becomes the first athlete to pole vault 16 feet, setting a new record at a major indoor event in New York.
- Feb 4🌌 Contact With Worlds – Scientists explore the possibility of life beyond Earth, discussing plant life on Mars and the challenges of space travel.
- Feb 5🏔️ Matterhorn Winter Climb – Swiss climbers scale Matterhorn's North Face in winter for the first time, achieving a significant mountaineering milestone.
- Feb 6🌌 Kennedy Proposes Satellite Bill – President Kennedy plans to allow wider ownership of TV satellites, aiming to share space communications among various concerns.
- Feb 7🧬 Virus in Vaccine Identified – Studies trace contaminant in polio vaccines to monkey kidney cells, raising concerns about vaccine safety.
- Feb 8🏫 Gifted School Opens – A new school in an old mansion caters to gifted children, treating them with care and understanding of their unique needs.
- Feb 9🚢 France Superliner Arrival – The Superliner France arrives on its maiden voyage, greeted with toots and water geysers, showcasing luxury for 2,000 passengers.
- Feb 10🧊 Greenland Ice Age Discovery – North Greenland's lack of glaciation during the last Ice Age could enable emergency airfields in the polar region.
- Feb 11🏗️ Aswan High Dam Progress – Nasser's revolution transforms Aswan into an industrial hub, utilizing power from the High Dam, attracting visitors and workers.
- Feb 12🌍 Soviet Proposes Arms Summit – Khrushchev suggests an 18-nation summit on arms control, proposing President Kennedy attend talks in Geneva on March 14.
- Feb 13📈 U.S. Engineer Deficit Grows – Survey shows declining percentage of engineering graduates in the U.S., raising concerns about national competitiveness.
- Feb 14🔬 Weather Delays Glenn Shot – John Glenn's orbital flight is postponed due to an Atlantic storm, requiring clear skies for the mission to proceed.
- Feb 15🚀 Glenn Orbit Shot Delayed – The planned orbit shot for astronaut John Glenn has been called off again, with tomorrow morning as the earliest time for a new attempt.
- Feb 16🚀 Glenn's Orbital Trip Delayed – John Glenn's planned orbital flight is postponed to Tuesday due to calm sea conditions being essential for the mission.
- Feb 17🚀 Glenn Launch Delayed – John Glenn's space launch faces a 10th delay, with new weather conditions affecting the schedule for Tuesday's attempt.
- Feb 18🌍 U.S.-Soviet Cultural Pact – A new cultural exchange agreement between the U.S. and Soviet Union is nearing completion, promising mutual gains in cultural cooperation.
- Feb 19🏆 Italy Wins Bridge Championship – Italy retains the World Contract Bridge Championship, defeating North America 331 to 305 in a filled theatre.
- Feb 20🌊 Hamburg Flood Disaster – 500 feared dead in Hamburg flood; 208 bodies recovered after storm. U.S. helicopters drop food for survivors.
- Feb 21🚀 Glenn's Historic Flight – John Glenn completes his historic orbit around Earth, marking a significant achievement in space exploration for the U.S.
- Feb 22🚀 Glenn's Space Flight – John Glenn's condition is reported excellent as preparations for future space flights continue, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- Feb 23⛷️ Swedish Skiers Triumph – Swedish skiers win their second cross-country title at the World Meet, with Jernberg excelling in the 40-kilometer relay.
- Feb 24🚀 Glenn Decorated by President – Astronaut John Glenn is honored by President Kennedy as 100,000 celebrate his historic orbital flight at Cape Canaveral.
- Feb 25🚀 Glenn Flight Coverage – Intricate global network established for coverage of John Glenn's space flight, enhancing international cooperation in space exploration.
- Feb 26🚀 Glenn Welcomed in Capital – Astronaut John Glenn receives a hero's welcome in Washington, D.C., addressing Congress after his historic space flight.
- Feb 27🚀 Glenn Cheered in Capital – Thousands welcome astronaut John Glenn in Washington, celebrating his achievements and envisioning a new era in space exploration.
- Feb 28🚀 Glenn Warns on Space – Astronaut John Glenn testifies before Congress, cautioning that space missions may risk lives in pursuit of lunar landing.
Happy Birthday! 1962 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1962 in real headlines. See the 1962 book →