What Events Happened in 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis when USSR plans to deploy Missiles in Cuba brings the world to the brink of world war, the US blockades Cuba and the USSR agrees to Soviet Silos

Heavy storm flood on Germany's North Sea coast, mainly around Hamburg, more than 300 people die, thousands losing their homes

A U.S. embargo ordered by President Kennedy goes into effect on all imports from Cuba including tobacco, seafood, fruits and vegetables

Brazil beat Czechoslovakia 3-1 to win the 1962 World Cup

The first US rocket Ranger IV lands on the moon

First Ever Flavored Crisps / Chips sold Salt and Vinegar

Marilyn Monroe is found dead after apparently overdosing on sleeping pills

The First Wal-Mart discount store is opened by by Sam Walton in Bentonville Arkansas

The United Nations General Assembly passes a resolution condemning South Africa's racist apartheid policies and calls for all UN member states to cease military and economic relations with the nation

Burundi Gains Independence From Belgium

Air France Boeing 707 crashes on take-off at Orly Airport in Paris

Oral Polio Vaccine developed by Albert Sabin given to millions of children to combat Polio

Algeria Gains Independence From France

Jamaica Gains Independence From Great Britain

Brazil wins the 1962 World Cup in Chili

Prices
Cost of a first-class stamp:  $0.04 
Cost of a gallon of regular gas:  $0.28 
Cost of a dozen eggs:  $0.32
Cost of a gallon of Milk:  $0.49 
Average Cost of new house: $12,500.00
Average Income per year $5,556.00
Average monthly rent $110.00 per month
Tuition to Harvard University $1,520.00
All Wheel Drive Scout off road $2,150.00
Renault Imported car $1,395.00

Economy
President:  John F. Kennedy 
Vice President:  Lyndon B. Johnson 
Population:  186,537,737 
Life expectancy:  70.1 years 
Dow-Jones   
High:  767 
Low:  723 
Federal spending:  $106.82 billion 
Federal debt:  $302.9 billion 
Inflation:  0.4% 
Consumer Price Index:  30.2 
Unemployment:  6.7% 

Popular Culture
Beatles Turned Down By Decca Records
Release of first Beatles recording: the single "Love Me Do"
Andy Warhol's famous painting of a can of soup
Beverly Hill Billies is on TV
The Dick Van Dyke show on TV

Popular Films
West Side Story
Spartacus
El Cid
Lawrence of Arabia
To Kill a Mockingbird

Popular Singers
The Beatles
Bob Dylan
Chubby Checker
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Neil Sedaka
Roy Orbison
Shirley Bassey

The Top 50 Songs of 1962
1. I Can't Stop Loving You  Ray Charles 
2. Big Girls Don't Cry  Four Seasons 
3. Sherry Four Seasons 
4. Rose's Are Red  Bobby Vinton 
5. Peppermint Twist  Joey Dee & Starliters 
6. Telstar Tornadoes
7. Duke Of Earl  Gene Chandler 
8. Hey Baby  Bruce Channel 
9. Soldier Boy  Shirelles
10. The Twist  Chubby Checker 
11. He's A Rebel  Crystals
12. Johnny Angel  Shelley Fabares 
13. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do  Neil Sedaka 
14. Monster Mash  Bobby Pickett 
15 Sheila Tommy Roe 
16. Good Luck Charm  Elvis Presley 
17. Stranger On The Shore  Acker Bilk 
18. The Stripper  David Rose 
19. The Loco-Motion  Little Eva 
20. Don't Break The Heart That Loves You  Connie Francis 
21. Return To Sender  Elvis Presley 
22. Limbo Rock  Chubby Checker 
23. Mashed Potato Time  Dee Dee Sharp 
24. Ramblin' Rose  Nat King Cole 
25. The Wah Watusi  Orlons
26. The Wanderer  Dion
27. Can't Help Falling In Love  Elvis Presley 
28. Only Love Can Break A Heart  Gene Pitney 
29. Midnight In Moscow  Kenny Ball 
30. You Don't Know Me  Ray Charles 
31. I Know  Barbara George 
32. Do You Love Me  Contours
33. Bobby's Girl  Marcie Blane 
34. Norman Sue Thompson 
35. Green Onions  Booket T. & MG's 
36. Palisades Park  Freddy Cannon 
37. All Alone Am I  Brenda Lee 
38. Sealed With A Kiss  Brian Hyland 
39. It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'  Johnny Tillotson 
40. Slow Twistin'  Chubby Checker 
41. Things Bobby Darin 
42. Lovers Who Wander  Dion
43. Let Me In  Sensations
44. Don't Hang Up  Orlons 
45. Let's Dance  Chris Montez 
46. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance  Gene Pitney 
47. Break It To Me Gently  Brenda Lee 
48. Dream Baby  Roy Orbison 
49. Party Lights  Claudine Clark 
50. Love Letters  Ketty Lester 

Cuban Missile Crisis 1962


The Beatles Live 1962


Television Clips 1962


Elvis Presley Return To Sender 1962


Marilyn Monroe's death 1962


Marilyn Monroe's Singing Happy Birthday 1962