May 15, 1962
Gas cost $0.31 a gallon in the spring of 1962, and the Dow Jones stood at 652 — with Kennedy facing off against the steel industry after major producers announced sharp price increases, only to reverse course within 72 hours under intense White House pressure. On movie screens, "West Side Story" was drawing audiences nationwide after sweeping the Academy Awards, while Elvis Presley held the top spot on the charts with "Good Luck Charm." The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers to claim the NBA championship, and astronaut Scott Carpenter added to America's momentum in space by completing three orbits of the Earth aboard the "Aurora 7" capsule on May 24.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — May 15, 1962
NY Times Headlines — Week of May 15, 1962
Laos Neutralist Ready To Return To Form Regime; Crisis Requires Presence, Souvanna Phouma Says-- May Leave Paris Soon U.S. Efforts Pressed Kennedy Will See Congress Leaders Today--Marines Due To Land In Thailand Rightist Forces Defeated Neutral Buffer Is Aim Neutralist Leader Set To Return To Deal With The Crisis In Laos Area Of Laotian Defeat 'No Clear-Cut Answer' Marine Move Expected Two Attacks Reported U.S. Troops Move In Thailand Boun Oum Calls For Aid
Soviet'S Aims Key Factor In Southeast Asian Crisis; Administration Believes Moscow Shares Desire For Peaceful Solution--Link To Russian-Chinese Feud Seen Soviet Intentions Still Key To Laos Crisis Coalition Regime Held Moscow Aim U.S. Believes Kremlin Favors Peaceful Solution--Feud With China Seen As Factor Warning To China Seen
U.S. Hopes Raised As Laos Princes Agree To Confer; Three Rival Factions Now Pledged To Renew Efforts For Political Settlement Military Front Quiet Rightists' Army Accepts Washington Advice And Begins Regrouping Aid Of Seato Sought Washington Views The Situation In Laos As More Hopeful Seato Supports Troop Shipment Envoys Reported Asking Nations To Send Token Forces To Bangkok Inadequacies Seen New Peace Effort Expected British May Send Troops Australia Ready To Back U.S. New Zealand'S Aid Asked
Khrushchev Says U.S. Troops Risk Fighting In Asia; Asserts That Dispatch Of Units To Thailand Means A Korea-Like Conflict Calls Act 'Imprudent' Premier, Touring Bulgaria, Predicts American Defeat In Laos And Vietnam Replies With Analogy Mass Meeting Set Today Khrushchev Says U.S. Faces 'Korea' U.S. Said To Be 'Afraid' Soviet Still Backs Coalition Soviet Reaction Mild Length Of Stay Uncertain Rebel Success Tied To Soviet Neutralist In London For Talks
Khrushchev Bars Race To Be First In Any Atom War; Asserts He Does Not Want To Compete With Kennedy On Pressing 'Button' Speaks At Sofia Rally Premier Assails President For Stand On Possible Use Of Nuclear Arms Soviet Reaction Noted Khrushchev Bars Atomic War Race Assails Greeks And Turks Liberal Moves Indicated Sofia Must Revise Policy
World Events — May 1962
Time Person of the Year — 1962
On the radio
Billboard Charts — May 15, 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 — May 15, 1962
Ebert 4-Star Films — May 15, 1962
On the field
Sports Champions — May 15, 1962
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