WHAT ALL HAPPENED APRIL TO DECEMBER 1962
Find out what all happened April to December 1962

Spiegel scandal: Der Spiegel publishes the article "Bedingt abwehrbereit" ("Conditionally prepared for defense") about a NATO manoeuvre called "Fallex 62", which uncovered the sorry state of the Bundeswehr (Germany's army) facing the communist threat from the east at the time. The magazine is soon accused of treason. (8. October 1962)

In an unprecedented action, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan dismisses seven members of his Cabinet, marking the effective end of the National Liberals as a distinct force within British politics. (13. July 1962)

Mexican-American labor leader César Chávez founds the National Farm Workers Association, which later becomes United Farm Workers. (30. September 1962)

Nuclear weapons testing: The "Small Boy" test shot Little Feller I becomes the last atmospheric test detonation at the Nevada National Security Site. (17. July 1962)

Telstar, the world's first communications satellite, is launched into orbit. (10. July 1962)

Infamous Columbus Day Storm strikes the U.S. Pacific Northwest with record wind velocities; 46 dead and at least U.S. $230 million in damages (12. October 1962)

A birthday salute to U.S. President John F. Kennedy takes place at Madison Square Garden, New York City. The highlight is Marilyn Monroe's rendition of "Happy Birthday". (19. May 1962)

Newly independent Algeria, by referendum, adopts a constitution. (8. September 1962)

Vostok 3 launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev becomes the first person to float in microgravity. (11. August 1962)

As a part of Operation Plowshare, the Sedan nuclear test takes place. (6. July 1962)

Dr. No, the first in the James Bond film series, is released. (5. October 1962)

The Yemen Arab Republic is established. (27. September 1962)

Jamaica becomes independent from the United Kingdom. (6. August 1962)

The Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test is conducted by the United States. (9. July 1962)

President John F. Kennedy dedicates Washington Dulles International Airport, serving the Washington, D.C., region. (17. November 1962)

Cuban missile crisis ends: In response to the Soviet Union agreeing to remove its missiles from Cuba, U.S. President John F. Kennedy ends the quarantine of the Caribbean nation. (20. November 1962)

An attempt to assassinate French president Charles de Gaulle fails. (22. August 1962)

Uganda joins the United Nations. (25. October 1962)

Arthur Lucas, convicted of murder, is the last person to be executed in Canada. (11. December 1962)

Uganda becomes an independent Commonwealth realm. (9. October 1962)