May 1962 calendar
Learn the most interesting events and historical facts that happened in May 1962.
The US president was John F. Kennedy (Democrat), the UK Prime Minister was Harold Macmillan (Conservative), Pope John XXIII was leading the Catholic Church.
But much more happened on May 1962: find out below
Historical Events
Which were the important events of May 1962?
Events
- 01 May 1962 JFK authorizes Area Redevelopment Act (ARA)
- 02 May 1962 OAS strikes in Algeria
- 03 May 1962 Express train crashes into wreckage of a commuter train and a freight, killing 163, injuring 400 (Tokyo, Japan).
- 04 May 1962 US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island.
- 05 May 1962 West Side Story soundtrack album goes to #1 and stays #1 for 54 weeks which is more than 20 weeks longer than any other album
- 06 May 1962 Pathet Lao breaks cease fire / conquerors Nam Tha Laos
- 07 May 1962 Pulitzer prize awarded to Theodore H White (Making of President 1960)
- 08 May 1962 Funny Thing Happened opens at Alvin Theater NYC for 965 performances
- 09 May 1962 Beatles sign their 1st contract with EMI Pstlophone
- 11 May 1962 US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island.
- 12 May 1962 Grevelingendam closes
- 13 May 1962 Mickey Wright wins LPGA Western Golf Open.
- 14 May 1962 Ex-pres Milovan Djilas sentenced to 5 years
- 15 May 1962 US marines arrive in Laos.
- 17 May 1962 Marin County withdraws from BART district
- 19 May 1962 Bravo, Giovanni opens at Broadhurst Theater NYC for 76 performances
- 20 May 1962 Patty Berg wins LPGA Muskogee Civitan Golf Open.
- 21 May 1962 3 more Cleveland HR set AL record for most HR (26) over 8 games
- 22 May 1962 14th Emmy Awards: Bob Newhart Show, E G Marshall and Shirley Booth
- 23 May 1962 Scott Carpenter orbits Earth 3 times in US Aurora 7
- 24 May 1962 M Scott Carpenter aboard Aurora 7 launched into earth orbit.
- 25 May 1962 Isley Brothers release Twist & Shout
- 26 May 1962 All American closes at Winter Garden Theater NYC after 80 performances
- 27 May 1962 Ruth Jessen wins LPGA Dallas Civitan Golf Open.
- 28 May 1962 Wide World of Sports with Chris Schenkel premieres on CBS radio
- 29 May 1962 Barbra Streisand appears on Garry Moore Show
- 30 May 1962 69 killed in bus crash (Ahmedabad, India).
- 31 May 1962 Tell It To Groucho last airs on CBS-TV
- 10 May 1962 Marvel Comics publishes the first issue of The Incredible Hulk.
Famous Birthday
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Famous Deaths
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Music charts
Which were the top hits in May 1962?
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Top #5 songs in the USA
- The Shirelles - Soldier Boy
- Mr. Acker Bilk - Stranger On The Shore
- Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You
- Dee Dee Sharp - Mashed Potato Time
- Shelley Fabares - Johnny Angel
Top #5 songs in the UK
- B Bumble & The Stingers - Nut Rocker
- Elvis Presley - Good Luck Charm
- The Shadows - Wonderful Land
- Cliff Richard - Do You Want To Dance / I'm Looking Out The Window
- Mike Sarne With Wendy Richard - Come Outside
Movies
Which were the most popular Movies released in that month?
Books
Which were the most popular books released in May 1962?
The Ivy Tree
By: Mary Stewart
Mary Grey had travelled from Canada to Northumberland, the country of her forebears. The shout broke the silence as she enjoyed the orderly, sparse beauty of England's northern fallss.
Pigeon Feathers
By: John Updike
This classic collection of stories was first published in 1962 on the author's thirty-fifth birthday. Arthur Mizener wrote in The New York Times Book Review that Updike is a romantic and like all American.
A Bridge For Passing
By: Pearl S. Buck
Pearl S. Buck's candid and absorbing account of making a movie about 1960s Japan while also coping with the death of her husband.
The Making Of The President 1960
By: Theodore H. White
The most famous political story ever told is the epic clash between John F. Kennedy & Richard M. Nixon. This was captured in Theodore White's groundbreaking chronicle The Making of the President 1960.
A Prologue To Love
By: Taylor Caldwell
There is always help. Amy said that God is always there. "I'm ashamed. He was the only one I had forgotten about. She was silent for a while.