The world in
What happened in 1962?
23 events across 8 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
Cold WarAfter World War II, the Western Bloc led by the United States and the Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union engaged in a nearly half-century-long political, economic, and military confrontation. Although the two superpowers never fought directly, they competed globally through proxy wars, an arms race, and the Space Race. The Cold War began in the late 1940s and ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: U.S. Army photo Photo Credit: USAMHI / Public domain ↗
Signing of the Treaty on the Creation of the USSROn December 30, 1922, the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR was signed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, officially establishing the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Plenipotentiary delegates from the Russian, Transcaucasian, Ukrainian, and Byelorussian Soviet republics signed the treaty, along with a declaration serving as its preamble. The treaty legally formalized the political union of the Soviet republics that had existed since 1919, creating a new federal government with centralized functions in Moscow. Legislative power was vested in the Congress of Soviets and the Central Executive Committee, while executive power lay with the Council of People's Commissars.
Establishment of Pirin National ParkPirin National Park was established in southwestern Bulgaria, covering the larger part of the Pirin Mountains with an area of about 400 square kilometers. Originally called Vihren National Park, it was later renamed. The park includes the oldest nature reserve in Bulgaria, Bayuvi Dupki-Dzhindzhiritsa, among other areas. It was subsequently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its natural values.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: kallerna / CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
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Signing of the Évian AccordsOn 18 March 1962, the French Government and the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic signed the Évian Accords in Évian-les-Bains, France. A ceasefire took effect the next day, ending the Algerian War. The accords recognised Algeria's right to self-determination and an independence referendum, recognised the FLN as a legal organisation, provided for French troop withdrawal within three years, and included provisions for economic aid and monetary cooperation.
Establishment of Padjelanta National ParkIn 1962, Padjelanta National Park was established in northern Sweden, covering an area of about 1,984 km², making it one of the largest national parks in Sweden. Located in Lapland, it later became part of the Laponia World Heritage Site.
Completion of Liverpool Metropolitan CathedralA Catholic cathedral was completed in Liverpool, England, serving as the seat of the Archdiocese of Liverpool. Officially named the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and nicknamed "Paddy's Wigwam", it is one of two cathedrals in Liverpool, the other being the Anglican Liverpool Cathedral.
Central & South America
Cuban Missile CrisisIn October 1962, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a tense confrontation over Soviet nuclear missiles deployed in Cuba, in response to earlier US missile deployments in the UK, Italy, and Turkey. The crisis, lasting about two weeks, is considered the closest the Cold War came to full-scale nuclear war.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Central Intelligence Agency / Public domain ↗
Nicaraguan RevolutionThe Nicaraguan Revolution was a revolutionary movement in Nicaragua from 1961 to 1990, led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front, aiming to overthrow the Somoza family dictatorship and, after its success in 1979, to carry out social and economic reforms.
Establishment of Canaima National ParkCanaima National Park was established on 12 June 1962 in Bolívar State, south-eastern Venezuela, covering approximately 30,000 km² of Gran Sabana region and bordering Brazil and Guyana. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Tyraelux / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
- Outbreak of the Escambray rebellion
In 1959, an armed rebellion broke out in the Escambray Mountains of Cuba, with several insurgent groups fighting against the government led by Fidel Castro. The conflict lasted until 1965, and the Cuban government termed the counterinsurgency operation the 'Struggle Against Bandits'.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Itamaraty Palace GroundbreakingThe Itamaraty Palace broke ground in 1962 in Brasília, the new capital of Brazil, designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer. The building later served as the headquarters of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located on the Ministries Esplanade near the Three Powers Plaza, and known for its iconic spiral staircase.
South Asia
Outbreak of the Vietnam WarIn 1955, armed conflict erupted between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) and the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), marking the start of the Vietnam War. This war was simultaneously a civil war, a Cold War proxy war, and a postcolonial independence conflict, with North Vietnam backed by the Soviet Union and China, and South Vietnam supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations. The fighting later spread to Laos and Cambodia, ending with all three countries under communist rule in 1975.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. U.S. Marine Corps. James K. F. Dung, SFC, Photographer Ronald L. Haeberle / Public domain ↗
1962 Burmese coup d'étatOn 2 March 1962, the Burmese military under General Ne Win seized power, overthrowing the civilian government of Prime Minister U Nu and establishing the Union Revolutionary Council. This coup initiated decades of one-party rule and military dominance in Burmese politics.
Brunei Revolt eruptsIn December 1962, an armed insurrection broke out in the British protectorate of Brunei against its monarchy and proposed inclusion in the Federation of Malaysia. The revolt was launched by the TNKU, a militia supported by Indonesia and linked to the left-wing Brunei People's Party.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: British Army official photographer / Public domain ↗
Establishment of Khao Yai National ParkKhao Yai National Park was established on 18 September 1962 as Thailand's first national park. Located at the boundary of four provinces, it covers 2,168 km² and ranks as the third largest national park in the country. Its emblem features the extinct Schomburgk's deer, symbolizing the need for wildlife conservation.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Jtri at Dutch Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
Sub-Saharan Africa
Portuguese Colonial WarArmed conflicts took place between Portugal and independence movements in its African colonies from 1961 to 1974, primarily in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique. The war stemmed from the Salazar regime's refusal to relinquish its colonial empire. It ended after the Carnation Revolution in Portugal in 1974 brought down the Estado Novo regime.
University of Lagos foundedThe University of Lagos was founded in Lagos, Nigeria, as a public research university. It is one of Nigeria's first-generation universities, with its main campus largely surrounded by the Lagos Lagoon and encompassing 802 acres.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Contimm at English Wikipedia / Public domain ↗
Eduardo Mondlane UniversityThe oldest and largest university in Mozambique, located in Maputo, it is a secular public institution with about 40,000 students.
North America
- Peak Phase of the African American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968)
Between 1954 and 1968, the African American civil rights movement peaked, using nonviolent means to challenge racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. Originating in the Reconstruction era and influenced by Gandhi's nonviolent philosophy, it involved mass protests and civil disobedience. This led to new federal protections, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Century 21 Exposition Opens in SeattleThe Century 21 Exposition, a world's fair, opened on April 21, 1962, in Seattle, USA. Over its six-month run, it attracted nearly 10 million visitors. Unlike other contemporary expositions, it turned a profit and left behind public buildings and an open-air venue, spurring economic and cultural revival in the city.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Bernard Mayo Rivera, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey / Public domain ↗
East Asia
Sino-Indian WarFrom October to November 1962, China and India fought along their Himalayan border, with major fighting in Aksai Chin in the west and in the North-East Frontier Agency in the east.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Unknown author Unknown author / Public domain ↗
North Africa
Algerian WarThe Algerian War was an armed conflict between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front from 1954 to 1962, leading to Algeria's independence. Considered a major decolonization war, it involved guerrilla warfare and war crimes by both sides.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Madame Grinderche / Public domain ↗
West Asia
Paphos Archaeological Park excavation began (1962)In 1962, the Cyprus Department of Antiquities began regular excavations at the Paphos Archaeological Park. The park, located in the New Paphos area of Paphos in southwest Cyprus, comprises major parts of the ancient Greek and Roman city, with remains dating from the Hellenistic to the Byzantine periods. Excavations continue to the present.
Around 1962
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Emergence of the Green Revolution
- Beginning of the Digital Revolution
- Completion of the Taipei Grand Mosque
- Establishment of Women's Suffrage Worldwide
- Establishment of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
- Construction of Grimeton Longwave Radio Station
- Construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway begins
- Construction of the 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright Begins