January 8, 1962
By the winter of 1962, Kennedy was in the White House and the federal minimum wage stood at $1.15/hr — the administration was pushing a $5.7 billion space budget for 1964, with three-quarters of it directed toward the goal of landing men on the Moon. On television, "The Dick Van Dyke Show" had taken the Emmy for best comedy, while Chubby Checker's "The Twist" sat at the top of the music charts, with Americans across the country picking up the dance in living rooms and on television variety programs. The Green Bay Packers held the NFL championship that winter, and on February 4th, astronomers marked a rare grand conjunction of all five naked-eye planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn — aligned within 16 degrees of one another on the ecliptic, an event that would not repeat in comparable form for generations.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — January 8, 1962
NY Times Headlines — Week of January 8, 1962
Kennedy And Clay Agree On Tactics In Berlin Crises; President And General Talk For An Hour On Handling Of Border Situations Full Accord Stressed West Sector People Lauded --18 Soviet Officers In Bus Blocked At Crossing Full Agreement Announced New Procedures Unlikely Kennedy And Clay Agree On Tactics President Sees Mccone Soviet Sight-Seers Delayed
President Briefs Parties' Leaders On Defense Needs; Outlines 51 Million Budget In Preparation For Start Of Congress Tomorrow Trade Also Discussed White House Sessions Hear Explanation Of Proposals For Wide Tariff Cuts Explanation On Congo Kennedy Briefs Parties' Leaders Pentagon Changes Outlined Aid For Domestic Industry A Review By Rusk
Congress Begins Its Session Today; Democrats Split; Leaders Meet President-- Try To Show Unity Despite Differences On Issues M'Cormack Nominated Caucus Chooses Him To Be The Speaker--Albert And Boggs Get Key Posts Top Officers Selected Congress Session Will Open Today
Congress Meets; Hears President At Session Today; Both Chambers Organize, Then Adjourn To Wait For State Of Union Message Hickenlooper Elected Succeeds Bridges In Senate Post--Mccormack Wins As Speaker, 248-166 Outcome Never In Doubt Congress Meets; Awaits Message Kennedy Meets Smith Session Lasts 19 Minutes
U.S. Agencies Split On Food For Peace; Aid Officials Want To Use More Of Surplus Abroad-- Farm Authorities Wary Agencies Differ On Food Surplus
Budget Will Ask 5.5 Billion Total For Space Effort; Program, Now 4 Years Old, To Become Fifth Largest Federal Expenditure Further Rise Expected Major Share Of Funds To Go To Civilian Agency, With Pentagon In 2d Place Growth Of Program Rapid Moon Project A Factor Budget For Space To Ask 5.5 Billion Doubled Each Year Closer Liaison Planned
World Events — January 1962
Time Person of the Year — 1962
On the radio
Billboard Charts — January 8, 1962
Grammy Awards
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1961–62 Season
Emmy Winners — 1962
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — January 8, 1962
Ebert 4-Star Films — January 8, 1962
On the field
Sports Champions — January 8, 1962
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