previous year1959
1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
1970next year

Major Events of December 1962: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1962 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of December 1962: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1962 Joe Quesada Emerges in Comic Book Industry: Joe Quesada, a prominent American comic book writer, artist, and later editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics, begins his influential career in the entertainment and graphic storytelling industry.
  • 02 Dec 1962 London's Deadly Smog Event: A severe smog event began in London, resulting in the deaths of at least 106 people over four days and hospitalizing over 1,000. This environmental disaster highlighted the dangerous consequences of industrial pollution and led to significant environmental policy changes in the United Kingdom.
  • 03 Dec 1962 First African American Female Judge Sworn In: Edith Spurlock Sampson was sworn in as the first African American female judge in the United States, marking a significant milestone in judicial diversity and civil rights progress. She was elected as an associate judge of the Municipal Court in Chicago, breaking racial and gender barriers in the legal profession.
  • 04 Dec 1962 US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
  • 05 Dec 1962 Fiji Military Coup: On December 5, 1962, Commodore Frank Bainimarama led a military coup, overthrowing the existing government in Fiji. This political upheaval marked a significant moment in Fijian political history, dramatically altering the country's governance and setting the stage for future political instability.
  • 06 Dec 1962 Robena Coal Mine Disaster: A devastating mining explosion at the U.S. Steel Corporation's Robena #3 mine near Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, claimed the lives of 37 coal miners. Most victims succumbed to carbon monoxide gas, highlighting the dangerous working conditions in mid-20th century coal mining.
  • 07 Dec 1962 Atlas Supercomputer Dedicated: The groundbreaking Atlas supercomputer, the world's most powerful computer at the time with 576 KB storage, is dedicated at the University of Manchester. It was the first system designed for multiprogramming and would be a technological landmark for the next decade.
  • 08 Dec 1962 Queen Wilhelmina's Funeral: The state funeral for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands takes place at the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) in Delft, marking the end of an era for the Dutch royal family.
  • 09 Dec 1962 Tanganyika Becomes a Republic: Tanganyika (now Tanzania) officially became a republic within the British Commonwealth, marking a significant milestone in its path to independence. Julius Nyerere was elected as the country's first president, replacing Richard Gordon Turnbull, the last Governor-General of the territory.
  • 10 Dec 1962 First Successful Planetary Data Transmission: The U.S. spacecraft Mariner 2 successfully flew by Venus and became the first space probe to transmit scientific data from another planet, marking a significant milestone in space exploration and planetary research.
  • 11 Dec 1962 Arthur Lucas, convicted of murder, is the last person to be executed in Canada.
  • 12 Dec 1962 Breakthrough in Anti-Ballistic Missile Technology: A significant milestone in missile defense technology was achieved with the first fully successful intercept of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by an anti-missile missile, marking a crucial advancement in strategic defense capabilities during the Cold War.
  • 13 Dec 1962 Relay 1 Communication Satellite Launch: NASA successfully launched Relay 1, a groundbreaking active repeater communications satellite that marked a significant milestone in satellite communication technology. This satellite represented an important step in global telecommunications infrastructure, enabling more advanced long-distance communication capabilities.
  • 14 Dec 1962 Mariner 2 Spacecraft Launches to Venus: NASA's Mariner 2 spacecraft successfully launched and became the first U.S. spacecraft to complete a flyby of another planet, Venus. This groundbreaking mission provided unprecedented scientific data about our neighboring planet and marked a significant milestone in space exploration.
  • 15 Dec 1962 Vail Ski Resort Inaugurated: The Vail Ski Resort opens in Eagle County, Colorado, marking the beginning of what would become the largest ski resort in the United States. This landmark opening would transform winter tourism and skiing in Colorado, setting a new standard for ski destination development.
  • 16 Dec 1962 First Confirmed Alcatraz Escape: John Paul Scott becomes the first person confirmed to have successfully escaped from the notorious Alcatraz Island prison and reached the mainland, challenging the prison's reputation for being inescapable.
  • 17 Dec 1962 Beatles' First British Television Appearance: The Beatles made their groundbreaking first British television appearance on the popular program 'People & Places', marking an early milestone in their rise to international fame. This performance helped introduce the band to a broader national audience and signaled the beginning of their transformative impact on popular music and culture.
  • 18 Dec 1962 WAIQ TV channel 26 in Montgomery, AL (PBS) begins broadcasting
  • 19 Dec 1962 First Operational Navigation Satellite Launched: Transit 5A1, a groundbreaking navigational satellite, becomes the first operational satellite of its kind, marking a significant milestone in space-based navigation technology.
  • 20 Dec 1962 Osmond brothers debut on Andy Williams Show
  • 21 Dec 1962 Britain Purchases Polaris Missiles: The United Kingdom agreed to purchase Polaris missiles from the United States, significantly enhancing its nuclear deterrence capabilities during the Cold War era. This strategic procurement demonstrated the close military cooperation between the two nations.
  • 22 Dec 1962 The Big Freeze of 1962-1963 in Britain: A severe winter weather event in Britain began, characterized by continuous frost that lasted until March 5, 1963, causing significant disruptions to daily life and infrastructure.
  • 23 Dec 1962 Cuba Returns Bay of Pigs Invasion Prisoners: The Cuban government began releasing U.S. prisoners captured during the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in December 1962. As part of a negotiated settlement, Cuba agreed to return the captured prisoners in exchange for $50 million worth of food and medical supplies, marking a significant diplomatic resolution to the tense military conflict.
  • 24 Dec 1962 Cuba Releases Bay of Pigs Invasion Prisoners: Cuba released the final 1,113 prisoners captured during the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion, negotiating their freedom in exchange for $53 million worth of food aid from the United States.
  • 25 Dec 1962 Soviet Union's Final Above-Ground Nuclear Test: On December 25, 1962, the Soviet Union conducted its final above-ground nuclear weapon test, marking a significant moment in anticipation of the upcoming 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This test at Novaya Zemlya represented a pivotal point in Cold War nuclear strategy and international arms control efforts.
  • 27 Dec 1962 Indonesian Independence Recognition: On December 27, 1962, the Netherlands officially recognized Indonesia's independence, marking a significant milestone in the post-colonial history of Southeast Asia. This recognition came after years of struggle and conflict, symbolizing the end of Dutch colonial rule and the emergence of Indonesia as a sovereign nation.
  • 28 Dec 1962 UN Intervention in Katanga: United Nations peacekeeping troops occupy Elizabethville (now Lubumbashi), Katanga Province, during the Congo Crisis, marking a significant moment in post-colonial African conflict resolution.
  • 29 Dec 1962 Graham Hill Wins South African Grand Prix and F1 World Championship: British racing driver Graham Hill secured a historic victory at the South African Grand Prix, held at the Prince George Circuit. This win was particularly significant as it clinched his first Formula One World Drivers' Championship, defeating Scottish rival Jim Clark by a margin of 12 points. Hill's triumph marked a pivotal moment in his racing career and in the annals of British motorsport.
  • 30 Dec 1962 NFL Championship: Green Bay Packers Triumph Over New York Giants: In a decisive NFL Championship game, the Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants with a score of 16-7 at Yankee Stadium. This victory was part of the Packers' dominant era under legendary coach Vince Lombardi, showcasing their prowess in professional football during the early 1960s.
  • 31 Dec 1962 Green Bay Packers NFL Championship Victory: The Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants 16-7 in the NFL championship game on December 30, 1962, a pivotal moment in the team's storied football history and a significant sporting event of the year.