Events March 21 - The birth-defect-causing drug thalidomide is banned May 2 - The Canadian dollar is pegged to the U.S. currency June 15 - Canada is the third power to reach space with the launch of scientific satellite June 18 - In the 1962 Federal election John Diefenbaker's Progressive Conservatives are reduced to a minority government July 1 - First medicare plan is launched in Saskatchewan to great protest by doctors July 30 - Trans-Canada Highway opens August 6 - A Premiers Conference is held in Victoria, British Columbia September 1 - Place Ville Marie opens in Montreal September 29 - Alouette I, the world's first communications satellite, is launched October 25 - The Bedford Institute of Oceanography opens in Nova Scotia October 25-November 12 - The Cuban Missile Crisis occurs. An indecisive Diefenbaker refuses to put Canadian forces on alert, angering the U.S. government. December 1-December 2 - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers win the Grey Cup in the famous fog bowl December 11 - The last three hangings in Canada take place. The Globe and Mail adds the Report on Business section Arts and literature New books Max Aitken - The Decline and Fall of Lloyd George W. O. Mitchell - The Kite Marshall McLuhan - The Gutenberg Galaxy George Woodcock - Anarchism Farley Mowat - The Black Joke Thomas B. Costain - The Last Plantagenets Awards See 1962 Governor General's Awards for a complete list of winners and finalists for those awards. Stephen Leacock Award: W. O. Mitchell, Jake and the Kid Television Mister Rogers' Neighborhood premieres on CBC Theatre The first Shaw Festival opens Births January 17 - Jim Carrey, comedian and actor March 27 - Jann Arden, musician July 1 - Michelle Wight, singer October 30 - Rex Harrington, ballet dancer Deaths
