Ranger 3 is launched to study the Moon. The space probe later misses the Moon by 22,000 miles (35,400 km). Date: January 26, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 26 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)
Netherlands New Guinea Conflict: Indonesian Navy fast patrol boat RI Macan Tutul commanded by Commodore Yos Sudarso sunk in Arafura Sea by the Dutch Navy. Date: January 15, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 15 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)
The Derveni papyrus, Europe's oldest surviving manuscript dating to 340 BC, is found in northern Greece. Date: January 15, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 15 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)
Vietnam War: Operation Chopper, the first American combat mission and first American helicopter assault in the war, takes place. Date: January 12, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 12 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)
An avalanche on Huascarán in Peru causes around 4,000 deaths. Date: January 11, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 11 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)
Cold War: While tied to its pier in Polyarny, the Soviet submarine B-37 is destroyed when fire breaks out in its torpedo compartment. Date: January 11, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 11 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)
Apollo program: NASA announces plans to build the C-5 rocket launch vehicle, then known as the "Advanced Saturn", to carry human beings to the Moon. Date: January 9, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 9 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)
Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro. Date: January 3, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 3 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)
Western Samoa achieves independence from New Zealand; its name is changed to the Independent State of Western Samoa. Date: January 1, 1962 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1962 📅 On This Day (Today)