What happened in September 1962?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1962, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Sep 1🛰️ President Signs Satellite Bill – The President signs a bill aimed at preventing monopolies in space communications, enhancing public access to satellite technology.
- Sep 2🌍 Robert Frost in Moscow – Robert Frost visits Moscow, engaging with students and poets, sharing his poetry and expressing a desire to educate them.
- Sep 3🌍 3,000 Killed in Quake – Iran experiences its worst earthquake, resulting in 3,000 deaths and severe damage to 200 towns.
- Sep 4🎨 E.E. Cummings Dies – Renowned poet E.E. Cummings passes away from a stroke, leaving a legacy of stylistic innovation in literature and art.
- Sep 5🖼️ Cezanne Work Discovered – An unknown work by Cezanne was found on the back of a recovered painting, surprising art experts and collectors alike.
- Sep 6🌍 Tremors Shake Regions – Tremors hit Turkey, Armenia, and Italy, causing one death and 22 injuries, prompting Shah to tour the disaster area.
- Sep 7🏟️ Truce in Algeria – A truce goes into effect in Algeria following clashes, paving the way for elections planned for September 16.
- Sep 8📸 New Camera Technology – A Washington engineer introduces a scanning disc for cameras that controls light exposure effectively.
- Sep 9⚓ Navy's New Floating Dock – A floating dock joins the Navy's Atlantic Fleet, enhancing operational capabilities and support for naval forces.
- Sep 10🏌️ Nicklaus Wins Golf Prize – Jack Nicklaus triumphs by four strokes over Palmer and Player, winning a $50,000 prize in a major golf exhibition.
- Sep 11🎾 Laver Completes Grand Slam – Rod Laver defeats Emerson to win U.S. title, completing the tennis Grand Slam for the first time since 1938.
- Sep 12🚀 Kennedy Tours Space Centers – President Kennedy visits two space centers, receiving assurances on the moon program from Wernher von Braun.
- Sep 13🚀 Kennedy Space Leadership – Kennedy asserts U.S. must lead in space exploration, emphasizing peaceful projects during Texas visit.
- Sep 14🔬 New Cancer Detection Test – Harvard physicians announce a new enzyme test for early detection of kidney and bladder tumors, urging mass screening.
- Sep 15⛵ America's Cup Begins – The 18th America's Cup series kicks off with President Kennedy attending, as 12-meter yachts compete in Newport.
- Sep 16🌍 Hammarskjold's Legacy – A year after his death, Dag Hammarskjold's principles continue to guide the United Nations in its mission for peace and cooperation.
- Sep 17🌍 U.N. Assembly Agenda – The U.N. Assembly prepares for a busy session with 104 members and four new states awaiting admission.
- Sep 18🎭 Excavations at Cannae – Excavations at the Cannae battlefield reveal graves from the medieval period, challenging previous theories about the site.
- Sep 19🌍 29 East Berliners Escape – Largest group to flee East Berlin since the Wall's construction escapes through a 400-foot tunnel dug by volunteers.
- Sep 20📈 Senate Trade Bill Passed – Senate approves a trade bill granting broad tariff powers to the White House with a vote of 78 to 8.
- Sep 21🏆 Weatherly Leads America's Cup – Weatherly outsails Gretel by a mile, taking a 2-to-1 lead in the America's Cup race.
- Sep 22🌌 Meteorites Fall in Virginia – Two meteorite falls reported in Virginia, creating fireballs that shook windows and sparked public interest in space phenomena.
- Sep 23🌍 Cuba Policy Debate – Kennedy aims to develop a new doctrine for Cuba amid rising Soviet influence, sparking national political discussions in the U.S.
- Sep 24🏨 Americana Hotel Opens – The Americana Hotel, a 50-story structure, opens today, marking the first major hotel built in the city since 1931.
- Sep 25🎭 Nureyev on Television – Rudolf Nureyev and Lupe Serrano perform a pas de deux from 'The Corsair' on 'Telephone Hour,' captivating audiences.
- Sep 26🥊 Liston Wins Title – Sonny Liston knocks out Floyd Patterson in the first round, claiming the World Heavyweight Title in Chicago.
- Sep 27🎶 Wallenstein Conducts Symphony – Wallenstein replaces Asen as Westchester Series Director, set to conduct Symphony of Air on October 24.
- Sep 28🌍 Shipping to Cuba Halted – Turkey stops shipping to Cuba at U.S. request, marking a significant NATO action with ten vessels intercepted.
- Sep 29🔬 New Cooling System Patented – A new alloy for thermocouples has been patented, promising advancements in cooling technology.
- Sep 30🚀 U.S. Calls Berlin Meeting – President convenes meeting with Rusk and British envoy amid growing tensions over Berlin crisis.
Happy Birthday! 1962 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1962 in real headlines. See the 1962 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: