Chopper
US helicopters ferry 1,000 South Vietnamese soldiers to sweep an NFL stroghold
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1962 in United States of America
Explore 347 historical events and records for United States of America in 1962.
Historical records for United States of America in 1962
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 347 unique records.
347Unique records
1 of 9Page
37Named events on this page
12Named people on this page
9Places on this page
January
Farm Gate
Farm Gate aircraft fly their 1st combat mission
International Rescue Committee Request
Lee asked the International Rescue Committee for $800 to finance travel from Moscow to Texas for himself and Marina.
Scientific Directorate Announcement
McCone announced that CIA would establish a new directorate focused on research and development to strengthen technical intelligence capabilities.
Intelligence Community Coordination Mandate
President Kennedy directed McCone to concentrate on coordinating the entire foreign intelligence community while delegating more detailed CIA administration.
Senate Confirmation Hearing
McCone appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee during consideration of his nomination as Director of Central Intelligence.
John Connally Discharge Appeal Letter
Lee wrote John Connally asking for help overturning his Marine discharge, mistakenly believing Connally remained Secretary of the Navy.
Senate Confirmation
The United States Senate confirmed McCone as Director of Central Intelligence after debate over his appointment and the CIA oversight relationship.
February
Operation Ranchand
Bombing trails used by the Viet Cong, 6 million acres treated with herbicides by 1971
Cold War
In response to the Cuban alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy extended measures by Executive Order, widening the scope of the trade restrictions
Sanctions
In response to the Cuban alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy extended measures by Executive Order, widening the scope of the trade restrictions
Trade Relations at Geneva
In response to the Cuban alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy extended measures by Executive Order, widening the scope of the trade restrictions
MACV Established
Establishes Military Assistance Command Vietnam
MACV Formation
Becomes first commander of Military Assistance Command Vietnam
Birth of June Lee Oswald
Lee became a father when Marina gave birth to their daughter June Lee in Minsk on February 15, 1962.
Deputy Directorate for Research Notice
CIA issued the headquarters notice establishing the Deputy Directorate for Research, placing important technical collection programs within the new organization.
Scoville Appointed Research Deputy
McCone appointed Herbert Scoville to lead the new Deputy Directorate for Research and concentrate CIA's emerging scientific and technical work.
1st Orbit of the Earth
Orbits the Earth 3 times & returns safely
1st Orbit of the Earth
John Glenn becomes the first American to circle the Earth, making three orbits in his Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft
Friendship 7 Mercury
John Glenn becomes the first American to circle the Earth, making three orbits in his Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft
Space Race
States on TV that in space America must "be in a position 2nd to none"
Space Race
Appears on US TV & states that in space America must "be in a position 2nd to none"
Space Race
States on TV that in space America must "be in a position 2nd to none"
Carlos Marcello Flight Allegation
The HSCA noted an unconfirmed Border Patrol report alleging that Ferrie flew Carlos Marcello back to the United States in 1962; Marcello denied that account.
March
Man In Space Soonest
Named as one of six pilot-engineers who would fly the space plane when it got off the design board
Marina Visa Approval Notice
Lee received notice that immigration authorities had approved Marina's application for a United States visa.
Bob Dylan
Releases his debut Columbia album Bob Dylan.
Bob Dylan Album
The first Columbia album mixes folk, blues, gospel and two originals.
Song to Woody
Includes Song to Woody on his debut album.
Oswald Visa
Marina recieves her entrance visa into the USA
April
CBS
Cronkite succeeds Douglas Edward's as anchorman of the CBS Evening News, a job in which he became an American icon
May
Government
Orders the 7th Fleet to Indochina after Pathet Lao overuns most of Northern Laos
Invasion of Laos
Orders the 7th Fleet to Indochina after Pathet Lao overuns most of Northern Laos
Belorussian Factory Departure
At his request, Lee left his job at the Belorussian Radio and Television Factory as the family's departure plans neared completion.
Soviet Exit Visa Collected
Lee collected his Soviet exit visa on May 22 and prepared to travel with Marina and June to Moscow.
Aurora 7 Mercury
Carpenter pilots Aurora 7 on a three-orbit Project Mercury mission that confirms the success of America's first orbital flight.
Moscow Final Emigration Papers
Lee and Marina completed documents at the American Embassy in Moscow, where Marina received her United States visa.
Aid to Vietnam
5,000 troops are present in South Vietnam
June
Embassy Repatriation Loan
Lee signed a promissory note for a $435.71 United States repatriation loan to finance the family's return journey.
Departure from Soviet Union
Oswald, Marina, and their daughter crossed the Soviet frontier at Brest on June 2, 1962, while traveling toward Western Europe.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.