January 1962

Monday 01:

Western Samoa achieves independence from New Zealand; its name is changed to the Independent State of Western Samoa.

Wednesday 03:

Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro.

Thursday 04:

New York City introduces a train that operates without a crew on-board.

Monday 08:

Harmelen train disaster.

Tuesday 09:

1962 - The NFL prohibits grabbing face masks.

Thursday 11:

Eruption of the Huascaran volcano in Peru; 4,000 deaths.

Monday 22:

The Organization of American States (OAS) suspends Cuba's membership.

Wednesday 24:

Brian Epstein signs to manage The Beatles.

Friday 26:

Ranger 3 is launched to study the moon. The space probe later missed the moon by 22,000 miles (35,400 km).

Tuesday 30:

Two of the high-wire Flying Wallendas are killed when their famous seven-person pyramid collapses during a performance in Detroit, Michigan.