Video: '1962: Mariner 2 (NASA)'
(Monday, August 27, 1962, 2:53 a.m. EDT) — The United States launched the Mariner 2 space probe today from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 12, which would fly past Venus in December 1962.
Category Archives: 1960s
French President Charles de Gaulle survives assassination attempt 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: 'attack small clamart August 22, 1962'
(Wednesday, August 22, 1962) — An assassination attempt against French President Charles De Gaulle failed today, as he, his wife, and son-in-law were met by a “barrage of submachine-gun fire” near Petit Clamart while being driven in his Citroën DS from Paris to the Villacoublay Airfield.
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Teen killed by border guards while trying to flee East Germany 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: 'Peter Fechter verblutet in Berlin: 17. August 1962 - Er ruhe jetzt in Frieden'
(Friday, August 17, 1962) — Peter Fechter, 18, was killed by East German border guards today as he attempted to cross the Berlin Wall into West Berlin. Continue reading Teen killed by border guards while trying to flee East Germany 50 years ago today (1962)
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Soviets launch second cosmonaut into space in as many days 50 years ago this hour (1962)
Video: '1962: Vostok 3 and 4 (USSR)'
(Sunday, August 12, 1962, 4:04 a.m. EDT) — One day after sending Andrian Nikolayev into orbit, the Soviet Union launched Vostok 4 today with cosmonaut Pavel Popovich on board from Gagarin’s Start at Baikonur Cosmodrome at atop a Vostok 8K72K rocket. Both men landed safely Aug. 15.
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Soviet Union fires third Cosmonaut into space 50 years ago this hour (1962)
Video: '1962: Vostok 3 and 4 (USSR)'
(Saturday, August 11, 1962, 4:24 a.m. EDT) — Andrian Nikolayev today became the Soviet Union’s third cosmonaut to fly in space as Vostok 3 lifted off from Gagarin’s Start at Baikonur Cosmodrome at atop a Vostok 8K72K rocket.
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Herbert Hoover presidential library dedicated 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: 'Herbert Hoover at the Dedication of the Hoover Presidential Library - Museum'
(Friday, August 10, 1962) — The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum was dedicated today in West Branch, Iowa, on the 88th birthday of the former president, who attended the ceremony along with former President Harry S Truman.
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Marvel Comics debuts Spider-Man 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: 'Spider-Man August 1962 - July 1967 - Comic History Part I'
(Friday, August 10, 1962) — Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man, created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko, made his debut today in issue 15 of Amazing Fantasy with a cover price of 12 cents.
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Marilyn Monroe funeral held in Hollywood 50 years ago this hour (1962)
Video: Monroe's funeral (at 6:04)
(Wednesday, August 8, 1962, 1:00 PDT) — A brief, simple funeral service, arranged by her second husband Joe DiMaggio and attended by only 31 close family and friends, was held today for film legend Marilyn Monroe at the small Westwood Village Funeral Chapel in Hollywood. Monroe’s acting coach, Lee Strasberg, delivered her eulogy. Continue reading Marilyn Monroe funeral held in Hollywood 50 years ago this hour (1962)
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Kennedy awards Dr. Kelsey for role in thalidomide case 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: 'UVic Legacy Awards - Dr. Frances Oldham Kelsey -- Alumni Legacy Award' (JFK awards Kelsey at 1:57)
(Tuesday, August 7, 1962) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy awarded Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official Dr. Frances O. Kelsey the Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Medal today for her diligence in blocking approval of thalidomide, a sedative found to cause severe birth defects.
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Jamaica becomes independent from Britain 50 years ago today (1962)
Video: 'Towards Independence - Part 3' (Aug. 6, 1962, at 6:07)
(Monday, August 6, 1962) — Jamaica gained independence today from the United Kingdom, remaining a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.
