May 20, 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 20, 1962
NY Times Headlines — Week of May 20, 1962
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 20, 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 20, 1962
Ebert 4-Star Films — May 20, 1962
On the field
Sports Champions — May 20, 1962
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