A Look Back At
Born in 1962
What Was Life Like in 1962?
Who Was in Charge?
President
John F. Kennedy
What Things Cost
Gas (per gallon)
$0.31
Loaf of Bread
$0.21
Average House
$12,900
Weekly Wage
$92
Events of 1962 in the United States
A selection from Wikipedia's '1962 in the United States'. Not a complete list.
- January 1 – The United States Navy SEALs are activated. SEAL Team One is commissioned in the Pacific Fleet and SEAL Team Two in the Atlantic Fleet.
- March 21 – The Taco Bell fast food restaurant chain is founded by Glen Bell, in Downey, California.
- April 9 – The 34th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Bob Hope, is held at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins' West Side Story wins ten awards, including Best Motion Picture and a joint Best Director win for Wise and Robbins.
- May 1 – Dayton Hudson Corporation opens the first of its Target discount stores in Roseville, Minnesota.
- July 2 – The first Wal-Mart store opens for business in Rogers, Arkansas.
- September 23 – Animated sitcom The Jetsons premieres on ABC.
- October 14 – Cuban Missile Crisis begins: a U-2 flight over Cuba takes photos of Soviet nuclear weapons being installed. A stand-off then ensues the next day between the United States and the Soviet Union, threatening the world with nuclear war.
- November 17 – In Washington, D.C., U.S. President John F. Kennedy dedicates Dulles International Airport.
Popular Toys & Games
- Easy-Bake Oven
- Troll Dolls
- Spirograph
Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 on 1 January 1962
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
The Tokens