What happened in March 1962?
The top front-page story of each day in March 1962, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Mar 1🌍 Britain Cuts Debt – Britain makes a significant payment of $210 million to reduce its world fund debt, aided by stronger sterling and improved gold reserves.
- Mar 2🚀 Glenn's Heroic Welcome – Thousands celebrate astronaut John Glenn's return with a ticker-tape parade, overwhelming him with joy and excitement.
- Mar 3🔬 Germ-Powered Electricity – Scientists showcase a bacteria-powered device that generates electricity from sugar, hinting at potential for urban lighting.
- Mar 4⛸️ Waldrop Wins Title – Lynda Waldrop captures the Middle Atlantic Figure-Skating Crown in Iceland, with Zonnie Tracy finishing second.
- Mar 5🚀 Astronaut Corps Expansion – NASA plans to enlarge the astronaut corps, accelerating flight plans and emphasizing the importance of space exploration.
- Mar 6✈️ B-58 Sets Records – B-58 bomber sets three records by crossing the U.S. twice in just 4 hours and 42 minutes, showcasing advancements in aviation technology.
- Mar 7🎨 Art Emotion Explored – Special lecturer guides pupils to understand the emotion in painting, enhancing appreciation for art.
- Mar 8⛵ Denmark Wins Sailing Title – Denmark's Fogh crew secures victory in the fourth heat of the Flying Dutchman title sail against the Netherlands.
- Mar 9🌊 Tanker Splits in Storm – 34 people were rescued after a tanker split during a storm off the coast; one crew member died in the rescue attempt.
- Mar 10🏃 Beatty Wins Mile – Jim Beatty sets a new record with a 3:59.7 mile, showcasing remarkable athletic achievement in track and field.
- Mar 11🔭 New Horizons via Telescope – Astronomers peer deeper into the universe, expanding knowledge of countless stars and celestial phenomena.
- Mar 12🏔️ Gorsuch Wins Ski Titles – Gorsuch takes both downhill and combined crowns at the National Alpine Skiing Championships, showcasing remarkable talent.
- Mar 13🔬 New Cancer Treatment Hailed – A new treatment combining hydrogen peroxide infusion and radiation shows promising results in Texas hospital trials.
- Mar 14🌍 Peace Corps Expansion – Doubling Peace Corps strength receives full House support, highlighting demand for expanded foreign aid efforts.
- Mar 15🏆 Jelinek Wins Skating Title – Maria and Otto Jelinek from Canada win the World Pairs Figure Skating Championship, leaving amateur ranks.
- Mar 16🏰 Taj Mahal Awes Kennedy – Mrs. Kennedy tours the Taj Mahal and experiences the beauty of Old India, meeting locals and expressing her admiration.
- Mar 17🚢 Sea-Land Ship Conversion – Sea-Land begins converting four vessels into container ships, aiming for completion by July 1.
- Mar 18🚀 Joint Space Program Urged – President Kennedy calls for Soviet cooperation in a five-point space program, emphasizing moon exploration and medical studies.
- Mar 19🕊️ Algerian Cease-Fire – Morocco celebrates a truce in Algeria, marking a significant step towards independence amid cautious international reactions.
- Mar 20🌌 U.N. Space Panel Meeting – A 28-nation U.N. committee opened discussions on space cooperation, emphasizing the need for consensus in decision-making.
- Mar 21🚀 Soviet Space Data – Soviet Union promises to share space data with the U.N. based on mutuality, emphasizing the importance of legal frameworks.
- Mar 22🌾 Brazil Airlifts Food Aid – Brazil begins airlifting beans and rice to eight states amid a food crisis caused by drought and rising prices.
- Mar 23🦴 Africa Bones Discovery – Fossils of a man-like creature, dating back 14 million years, provide new insights into human evolution.
- Mar 24🇵🇰 Mrs. Kennedy in Pakistan – First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy attends Pakistan Day celebrations in Rawalpindi, marking the partition decision.
- Mar 25🚗 Reincarnation of Model T – Ford plans to introduce a modern Model T, reminiscent of the iconic car that transformed American transportation.
- Mar 26🏛️ Long Future for Geneva Talks – Arms negotiations in Geneva may foster continued East-West dialogue at high levels, signaling hope for future cooperation.
- Mar 27🏆 U.S. Quartet Seeks Title – A U.S. roller skating quartet prepares to compete for the world title in Germany, showcasing the sport's growing popularity.
- Mar 28💉 3D Polio Vaccine Licensed – U.S. licenses production of Type 3 Sabin polio vaccine by two drug companies, enhancing public health efforts.
- Mar 29📈 Payment Balance Gains – Britain reports a 1961 surplus of £19 million as imports decline and exports rise, aided by foreign investment inflows.
- Mar 30📺 TV Satellite Launch – Live TV exchange between the U.S. and Europe planned via satellite this summer, marking a significant technological advancement.
- Mar 31🧠 New Brain Cells Found – Neurons detected in tests on rats suggest potential for repairing brain injuries.
Happy Birthday! 1962 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1962 in real headlines. See the 1962 book →
Born in March? Pick the day
Every birthday in March has its own On This Day in Headlines book: