19621964

1962–1964, often written as 19621964, denotes the two-year period spanning the years 1962 through 1964. It sits in the middle of the Cold War era and in a broader world of decolonization, social change, and rapid technological development.

In international affairs, the period is marked by major crises and transitions. The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 brought the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of war before a negotiated settlement defused the confrontation. The assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1963 had a profound impact on American politics and international perception. In 1964, political and social transformations continued in various regions, including episodes of decolonization and constitutional change, and the Zanzibar Revolution highlighted upheaval in Africa.

Civil rights and social reform featured prominently. In the United States, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 became a defining moment for the civil rights movement, and the Civil Rights Act, signed into law in 1964, outlawed discrimination in many public accommodations and reinforced federal enforcement of civil rights.

Science, technology, and culture also progressed. In 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, marking a milestone in human spaceflight. The era saw ongoing space program development and preparations for later lunar missions. The period also witnessed cultural shifts, including the rise of the British Invasion in popular music and international sports milestones such as the 1962 FIFA World Cup in Chile and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Overall, 1962–1964 was a time of political tension, social reform, scientific advancement, and cultural change that shaped subsequent years.