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Major Events of March 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 March 1962 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

  • 01 Mar 1962 Historic ticker-tape parade for Mercury astronauts: On March 1, 1962, New York City held a ticker-tape parade to honor astronaut John Glenn, who had recently orbited the Earth aboard Friendship 7. The event drew an estimated four million spectators, making it one of the largest in the city's history. source: dc.lib.jjay.cuny.edu
  • 02 Mar 1962 Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points in NBA game: On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors scored 100 points in a single NBA game against the New York Knicks, setting a record that remains unbroken. source: nba.com
  • 03 Mar 1962 Birth of Jackie Joyner-Kersee: On March 3, 1962, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, an American track and field athlete widely regarded as one of the greatest female athletes of all time, was born in East St. Louis, Illinois. source: olympic.org
  • 06 Mar 1962 Remington Nylon 66 Rifle Patent Granted: On March 6, 1962, Remington Arms was granted a patent for the Nylon 66 rifle, a semi-automatic .22 caliber rifle featuring a synthetic stock and receiver made from DuPont's Zytel 101 nylon resin. This innovative design aimed to reduce manufacturing costs and improve durability. The rifle was introduced in 1959 and became one of Remington's most successful models, with over a million units sold by 1989. source: americanrifleman.org
  • 08 Mar 1962 Brigantine Hotel Storm Damage: On March 6–8, 1962, the Ash Wednesday Storm, a powerful nor'easter, struck the mid-Atlantic coast, causing significant damage in Brigantine, New Jersey. The Brigantine Hotel, serving as the Navy's Combat Information Center, suffered extensive damage, including broken windows and flooding in various areas. The storm's impact was part of a broader disaster that resulted in 40 fatalities and over $200 million in property damage across six states. source: brigantinenow.com
  • 09 Mar 1962 Tragic Hospital Incident: On March 9, 1962, three infants at Binghamton General Hospital in New York died suddenly of heart failure, with three more dying the following day. The deaths were traced to a nurse's mistaken placement of salt into a sugar container used for making baby formula, leading to abnormally high sodium levels in the infants. The incident was ruled accidental. source: fws.gov
  • 10 Mar 1962 Eighteen Nation Disarmament Conference begins: The Eighteen Nation Disarmament Conference commenced on March 10, 1962, in Geneva, Switzerland. This conference aimed to address nuclear disarmament and arms control during the Cold War. It brought together representatives from various nations to discuss strategies for reducing the threat of nuclear weapons. source: un.org
  • 11 Mar 1962 Kennedy announces nuclear testing resumption: On March 11, 1962, President John F. Kennedy announced the resumption of nuclear testing by the United States. This decision was made in the context of escalating Cold War tensions and aimed to strengthen the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The announcement raised concerns about the implications for global security and arms control. source: archives.gov
  • 12 Mar 1962 Dutch Premier De Quay announces secret talks with Indonesia: On March 12, 1962, Dutch Prime Minister Jan de Quay announced that the Netherlands and Indonesia had agreed to undertake secret preliminary talks to decide the future of the disputed New Guinea territory. These discussions were to be mediated by the United States, with a neutral observer present. source: digital.bentley.umich.edu
  • 13 Mar 1962 Yugoslavia grants 1,000 prisoners amnesty: On March 13, 1962, Yugoslavia granted amnesty to approximately 1,000 prisoners. This move was part of a broader effort to address prison conditions and the rehabilitation of inmates. source: brainyhistory.com
  • 15 Mar 1962 Évian Accords end Algerian War: The Évian Accords, signed on March 18, 1962, officially ended the Algerian War, leading to Algeria's independence from France. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 16 Mar 1962 First Titan 2 rocket launch: The first Titan II rocket was launched on March 16, 1962, marking a significant advancement in U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile technology. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 18 Mar 1962 Algerian War concludes: The Algerian War concluded on March 18, 1962, following the signing of the Évian Accords, leading to Algeria's independence from France. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 20 Mar 1962 Eighteen Nation Disarmament Conference opens in Geneva: The Eighteen Nation Disarmament Conference commenced in Geneva, aiming to address nuclear disarmament and arms control. This significant meeting involved representatives from various nations discussing strategies to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons. source: un.org
  • 21 Mar 1962 Catholic bishop supports birth control: On March 21, 1962, a Catholic bishop publicly expressed support for the use of birth control, marking a significant moment in the Church's stance on family planning. This statement sparked discussions within the Church and among its followers. source: nytimes.com
  • 22 Mar 1962 I Can Get It For You Wholesale opens at Shubert NYC for 300 performances: The musical 'I Can Get It For You Wholesale' opened at the Shubert Theatre in New York City on March 22, 1962. It ran for 300 performances and was significant for its role in introducing Barbra Streisand to a wider audience. source: nytimes.com
  • 23 Mar 1962 World Trade Center construction legislation signed: On March 23, 1962, legislation was signed to facilitate the construction of the World Trade Center in New York City. This marked a pivotal moment in urban development and international trade infrastructure. source: nytimes.com
  • 24 Mar 1962 Tragic boxing incident: On March 24, 1962, a tragic incident occurred in the boxing world, leading to significant discussions about safety regulations in the sport. This event highlighted the risks associated with professional boxing. source: bbc.com
  • 26 Mar 1962 Baker v. Carr Supreme Court decision: On March 26, 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Baker v. Carr that federal courts have jurisdiction over cases involving legislative apportionment, establishing the principle of "one person, one vote." source: britannica.com
  • 27 Mar 1962 Archbishop Rummel desegregates Catholic schools in New Orleans: On March 27, 1962, Archbishop Joseph Rummel announced the desegregation of Catholic schools in New Orleans, marking the first integrated school year in the archdiocese. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 28 Mar 1962 Birth of Ged Grimes, musician: Ged Grimes, a Scottish musician known for his work with Simple Minds, was born on March 28, 1962. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 29 Mar 1962 Military coup overthrows Argentine President Arturo Frondizi: On March 29, 1962, a military coup in Argentina led to the ousting of President Arturo Frondizi. The coup was precipitated by the electoral success of Peronist candidates, which the military opposed. Frondizi was arrested and held at Isla Martín García, while José María Guido, the president of the Senate, assumed the presidency. source: digital.bentley.umich.edu
  • 31 Mar 1962 116th Grand National Horse Race: The 116th Grand National took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on March 31, 1962. The race was won by Kilmore, a 28/1 outsider, ridden by jockey Fred Winter. The 12-year-old horse was trained by Ryan Price. source: en.wikipedia.org