Baby Boomers - What Happened in 1962?

If you are a baby boomer born in 1962, you will find this information extremely interesting. Hope you enjoy learning more about the year you were born! If you have a friend or a family member born in 1962, send them a link to this page. They will appreciate it!

Major Events

• John F. Kennedy is president and Lyndon Johnson is vice president of the United States
• By a vote of 6 to 1, the Supreme court bans prayer in public schools
• Richard Nixon quits politics saying "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore"
• Pat Brown defeats Richard Nixon in the California gubernatorial race
• Rioting on the University of Mississippi campus following black student James Meredith attempt to enroll ended when federal troops and U.S. marshals take control
• Cuban Missile Crisis is averted when President Kennedy and Soviet premiere Khrushchev agree to remove missiles
• A U.S. embargo ordered by President Kennedy goes into effect on all imports from Cuba including tobacco, seafood, fruits, and vegetables
• Pope John XXIII convenes the Second Vatican Council, which will modernize many practices of the Catholic Church
• The United Nations General Assembly condemns South Africa's racist apartheid policies and calls for all UN member states to cease military and economic relations with the nation
• Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann executed in Israel
• U.S. establishes semi-permanent military presence in Vietnam

Business and Economy

• U.S. GDP (1998 dollars): $585.2 billion
• Federal spending: $106.82 billion
• Federal debt: $302.9 billion
• Consumer Price Index: 30.2
• Unemployment: 6.7%

Science and Technology

• The drug thalidomide is recalled when it becomes linked with severe birth defects in thousands of children worldwide
• John Glenn becomes the first American in orbit when he circles the earth three times in the Mercury capsule
• The first US rocket Ranger IV lands on the moon
• Polaroid introduces color film prints which develop in 60 seconds
• The first transatlantic television transmission occurs via the Telstar Satellite
• Mariner II, the first interplanetary probe, reaches Venus
• Unimation introduces the first industrial robot to perform repetitive manufacturing tasks
• U.S. Air Force investigates using lasers to intercept missiles
• The first use of silicone breast implants by Houston plastic surgeons

Sports

• New York Yankees defeat San Francisco Giants to win the World Series (4-3)
• Boston defeats L.A. Lakers to win the NBA Championship (4-3)
• Green Bay Packers win the NFL championship
• Philadelphia 76er's 7-foot basketball center, Wilt Chamberlain, scores a record 100 points in a game against the New York Knicks

Famous Baby Boomers Born in 1962

• Demi Moore
• Doug Flutie
• Emilio Estevez
• Evander Holyfield
• Garth Brooks
• Jackie Joyner-Kersee
• Jennifer Jason Leigh
• Jim Carrey
• Joan Cusack
• Jodie Foster
• Jon Bon Jovi
• Patrick Cassidy
• Rosie O'Donnell
• Sheryl Crow
• Tom Cruise
• Wesley Snipes

Arts and Entertainment

• Books: Ship of Fools, Dearly Beloved, A Shade of Difference, Youngblood Hawke, Franny and Zooey, Fail-Safe, Seven Days in May, The Prize, The Agony and the Ecstasy, The Reivers
• Movies: Lawrence of Arabia, To Kill a Mockingbird, Cape Fear, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, The Miracle Worker, The Manchurian Candidate, Divorce-Italian Style, Dr. No, Spartacus, El Cid
• Songs: Green Onions, Bring It On Home To Me, You've Really Got A Hold On Me, The Loco-Motion, Sherry, I Can't Stop Loving You, Up On The Roof, Twist And Shout, These Arms Of Mine, Do You Love Me
• Popular Musicians: Booker T. & the MG's, Sam Cooke, Miracles, Little Eva, Four Seasons, Ray Charles, Drifters, Isley Brothers, Otis Redding, Contours
• TV Shows: The Beverly Hillbillies, The Dick Van Dyke, Candid Camera, The Red Skelton Show, Bonanza, The Lucy Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Ben Casey, The Danny Thomas Show, Gunsmoke
• Johnny Carson debuts as host of The Tonight Show
• Beatles record their first single, Love Me Do
• Beatles Turned Down By Decca Records
• Government regulations force studios out of the talent agency business
• Marilyn Monroe is found dead of a drug overdose in her Los Angeles home

Everyday Life

• U.S. Population: 186,537,737
• Life expectancy: 70.1 years
• Average yearly income: $5,956
• Cost of a new home: $12,500
• Cost of a new car: $3,125
• Federal hourly minimum wage: $1.15
• Cost of a first-class stamp: $.04

Popular Culture

• Pantyhose becomes available for sale in U.S. department stores
• Golden anniversary for Chevrolet, their 50th year
• Ford introduces the Fairlane
• 90% of Americans own a television set
• ABC begins broadcasting in color
• Two new dances, the Mashed Potato and the Watusi, are introduced
• Folk music and California surf music are very popular
• The first Kmart department store opens in Garden City, Michigan
• The First Wal-Mart discount store is opened by Sam Walton in Bentonville Arkansas
• First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy gives "A Tour of the White House" via television. Over 46 million people tune in.
• Phil Knight develops the first Nike running shoe