What happened in January 1962?
The top front-page story of each day in January 1962, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jan 1🎿 Bower's Ski Jump Record – Bower registers a 226-foot ski jump, winning the Nordic Combined Event, with Sherwood placing second.
- Jan 2🏆 Minnesota Wins Rose Bowl – Minnesota defeats U.C.L.A. 21-3 in the Rose Bowl, showcasing a strong performance and solidifying their football legacy.
- Jan 3🌍 New Zealand Aids Samoa – New Zealand pledges financial support to strengthen Western Samoa's administration and provide educational assistance.
- Jan 4🔬 Electronics Embrace Ceramics – Ceramics find new applications in electronics, showcasing the material's versatility in the expanding space age.
- Jan 5🔬 U.S. Health Funds Offered – The U.S. offers funds to six nations for health and welfare studies, focusing on children's diseases.
- Jan 6🚢 New Superliner Trials – The France leaves Le Havre for final sea trials before entering trans-Atlantic service, carrying 2,000 passengers.
- Jan 7🚤 National Motor Boat Show – The 52nd National Motor Boat Show opens at the Coliseum, featuring 429 exhibitors and a fleet of 475 boats.
- Jan 8🚀 Gulf Area Builds Rocket – A $500 million contract awarded for a rocket booster project in the Gulf area, enhancing U.S. space capabilities.
- Jan 9📈 Ireland's Exports Surge – Ireland sees a 70% increase in exports over five years, with positive prospects for 1962.
- Jan 10🛢️ Drillers Push Arctic Oil – Exploration well sunk on Melville Island as drilling efforts in Arctic advance, marking significant oil exploration progress.
- Jan 11🌍 Surgeon Honored for Africa – Dr. Rees recognized by Young Men's Board of Trade for his significant contributions to healthcare in Africa.
- Jan 12✈️ B-52 Global Flight – B-52 bomber completes a historic global flight, covering 12,519 miles without refueling, showcasing U.S. military capabilities.
- Jan 13🔬 U.S. Rubber Sales Halted – The U.S. halts sales of surplus crude rubber to stabilize prices and prevent market fluctuations from stockpile disposals.
- Jan 14🔬 Genetic Code Discoveries – New understanding of heredity emerges from genetic code discoveries, marking major scientific progress in genetics.
- Jan 15🔬 Soviet Science Training Gains – Broad advancements in Soviet science and engineering training reported, highlighting educational progress.
- Jan 16🚀 NASA Seeks Recruits – NASA is actively recruiting specialists for upcoming space explorations, highlighting the need for skilled personnel.
- Jan 17🏗️ Factory Output High – December factory output index rises to 115% of 1957 level, with widespread gains in autos, furniture, and steel.
- Jan 18🎿 Austrian Girl Wins – Erika Netzer wins skiing competition in Bad Gastein, with U.S. athletes trailing behind in the downhill race.
- Jan 19🌕 Moon Probe Planned – NASA's Ranger 3 mission is set to launch, aiming to capture images of the lunar surface.
- Jan 20🔬 Electro-Thermal Rocket Unit – New designs for deep space shots using electro-thermal rocket technology are being developed, promising advancements in space exploration.
- Jan 21🏅 Soviet Skiing Initiative – Soviet Union promotes skiing as a mass sport with a new training center for athletes and a 25-year plan for cross-country specialists.
- Jan 22🎾 Douglas Wins Tennis Match – Douglas rallies to defeat Holmberg in a thrilling 5-set duel, capturing the match after trailing 2-0 in Philadelphia.
- Jan 23🔬 Pneumonia Vaccine Study – U.S. scientists isolate the agent causing a prevalent form of pneumonia, marking a significant step towards a new vaccine.
- Jan 24🔬 Genetic Code Advances – Scientists at Indiana University report significant progress in understanding heredity and the genetic code.
- Jan 25🔬 Optical Maser Breakthrough – Bell scientists report a gain in optical maser technology, emitting continuous visible light, marking a significant advancement.
- Jan 26🏛️ Museums Press U.S – Museums urge U.S. government to revise tax rules for donors, seeking more support for cultural institutions.
- Jan 27🚀 Glenn Scheduled for Orbit – John Glenn is set to orbit Earth today, with good weather predicted for the launch and recovery zones.
- Jan 28🎨 Culture at White House – Cultural activities flourish at the White House, reflecting the occupants' strong interest in the arts and their impact on national culture.
- Jan 29🌕 Ranger Crosses Moon Path – Ranger spacecraft attempts to reach the Moon but misses target by 23,000 miles due to a transmitter malfunction.
- Jan 30🎻 Fritz Kreisler Dies – Famed violinist Fritz Kreisler passes away at 86, known for his compositions and arrangements, impacting music for decades.
- Jan 31🌍 U.N. Bids Angola End – U.N. Assembly votes 99 to 2 for Portugal to stop repressing Angolan people, rejecting Soviet Bloc's proposal.
Happy Birthday! 1962 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1962 in real headlines. See the 1962 book →
Born in January? Pick the day
Every birthday in January has its own On This Day in Headlines book: