The almanac
The 1962 Edition
Limited to about 112 million copies: the babies born worldwide in 1962. About 71 million are still in circulation.
Estimates from the UN World Population Prospects 2024. How we count
What happened in 1962
- John Glenn orbits the EarthThe first American in orbit circled the globe three times before splashing down.February 20 · Source: BBC On This Day
- Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 pointsHis 100 points for Philadelphia in Hershey is still the NBA single game record.March 2 · Source: NBA.com
- The first Walmart opensSam Walton opened his first store in Rogers, Arkansas.July 2 · Source: Walmart corporate history
- Telstar links TV across the AtlanticThe satellite launched and, two days later, relayed the first transatlantic TV signal.July 10 · Source: Space.com
- The Beverly Hillbillies arriveThe Clampett family struck oil and moved to Beverly Hills on CBS.September · Source: Television Academy Foundation, The Interviews
- Johnny Carson takes over TonightHe began a 30 year run as host of NBC's late night show.October 1 · Source: Television Academy
- Mariner 2 flies past VenusThe US probe made the first scan of another planet from space.December 14 · Source: BBC On This Day
Famous people born in 1962
- Tom CruiseAmerican actor and producer · born July 3
- Jim CarreyCanadian-American actor and comedian · born January 17
- Jodie FosterAmerican actress and filmmaker · born November 19
- Demi MooreAmerican actress and producer · born November 11
- Olga TokarczukPolish writer and activist · born January 29
- Carlos AlazraquiAmerican actor · born July 20
- Steve IrwinAustralian zookeeper, conservationist and TV personality · born February 22
- Viktor TsoiSoviet rock musician · born June 21
From Wikidata, ranked by how many Wikipedia languages write about them. Spotted a mistake?
No. 1 songs of 1962
- The Lion Sleeps TonightThe Tokens · first week at No. 1: January 6, 1962
- The TwistChubby Checker · first week at No. 1: January 13, 1962
- Peppermint Twist - Part IJoey Dee & the Starliters · first week at No. 1: January 27, 1962
- Duke Of EarlGene Chandler · first week at No. 1: February 17, 1962
- Hey! BabyBruce Channel · first week at No. 1: March 10, 1962
- Don't Break The Heart That Loves YouConnie Francis · first week at No. 1: March 31, 1962
- Johnny AngelShelley Fabares · first week at No. 1: April 7, 1962
- Good Luck CharmElvis Presley With The Jordanaires · first week at No. 1: April 21, 1962
- Soldier BoyThe Shirelles · first week at No. 1: May 5, 1962
- Stranger On The ShoreMr. Acker Bilk · first week at No. 1: May 26, 1962
- I Can't Stop Loving YouRay Charles · first week at No. 1: June 2, 1962
- The StripperDavid Rose and His Orchestra · first week at No. 1: July 7, 1962
- Roses Are Red (My Love)Bobby Vinton · first week at No. 1: July 14, 1962
- Breaking Up Is Hard To DoNeil Sedaka · first week at No. 1: August 11, 1962
- The Loco-MotionLittle Eva · first week at No. 1: August 25, 1962
- SheilaTommy Roe · first week at No. 1: September 1, 1962
- SherryThe 4 Seasons · first week at No. 1: September 15, 1962
- Monster MashBobby "Boris" Pickett And The Crypt-Kickers · first week at No. 1: October 20, 1962
- He's A RebelThe Crystals · first week at No. 1: November 3, 1962
- Big Girls Don't CryThe 4 Seasons · first week at No. 1: November 17, 1962
- TelstarThe Tornadoes · first week at No. 1: December 22, 1962
Billboard Hot 100, chart weeks of 1962. Spotted a mistake?
If you were born in 1962
- Older than the Beatles on Ed SullivanThe Beatles made their first live American TV appearance, on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964.
- Older than the Ford MustangThe Ford Mustang was unveiled to the public at the New York World's Fair on April 17, 1964.
- Older than the first spacewalkAlexei Leonov became the first person to float freely outside a spacecraft on March 18, 1965.
- Older than Star TrekStar Trek premiered on NBC on September 8, 1966.
- Younger than the first human in spaceYuri Gagarin became the first human to fly into space and orbit the Earth on April 12, 1961.
- Younger than the laserTheodore Maiman built and operated the first laser, in Malibu, California (month only; the day is not given by the source) on May 1, 1960.
- Younger than NASANASA officially opened for business on October 1, 1958.