This article is about the particular significance of the year 1962 to Wales and its people.
Incumbents
Archbishop of Wales – Edwin Morris, Bishop of Monmouth
Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales – Trefin
Events
January–April – An outbreak of smallpox spreading from Cardiff infects 45 people and kills 19 in south Wales; 900,000 people in the region are vaccinated against the disease. 12 April – Nine miners are killed and nine injured in an accident at Tower Colliery, Hirwaun, Wales. 15 May – Emlyn Hooson wins the Montgomeryshire by-election brought about by the death of Clement Davies. In the run-up to the by-election, the "Elvis Rock" is painted with the graffiti "Elis" by supporters of Plaid Cymru candidate Islwyn Ffowc Elis. 20 July – The world's first regular passenger hovercraft service is introduced between Rhyl and Wallasey. 4 August – Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, the Welsh Language Society, is founded. September – Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen, the first Welsh-medium secondary school in south Wales, opens its doors. 19 September – Atlantic College opens its doors for the first time at St Donat's Castle, marking the birth of the pioneering United World College educational movement. 26 October – Richard Thomas and Baldwins's new steelworks at Llanwern near Newport, is officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. 28 October – Chepstow Railway Bridge rebuilding completed. date unknown Richard Booth opens his first second-hand bookshop at the old fire station in Hay-on-Wye. Cardiff Zoo opened.
Arts and literature
21 March – Actress Rachel Roberts marries Rex Harrison in Genoa. Welsh National Opera launches a training scheme for singers. Dick Francis publishes his first thriller, Dead Cert.
Awards
National Eisteddfod of Wales (held in Llanelli) National Eisteddfod of Wales: Chair – Caradog Prichard, "Llef un yn Llefain" National Eisteddfod of Wales: Crown – D. Emlyn Lewis, Y Cwmwl National Eisteddfod of Wales: Prose Medal – William Owen, Bu Farw Ezra Bebb
New books
Clifford Dyment – The Railway Game
John Roberts Evans – Ar Drothwy'r Nos
William Evans (Wil Ifan) – Colofnau Wil Ifan
Michael Foot – Aneurin Bevan, vol. 1
Menna Gallie – The Small Mine
Llewelyn Wyn Griffith – The Adventures of Pryderi
Oxford Book of Welsh Verse
Gwyn Thomas – Chwerwder yn y Ffynhonnau
Norman Thomas – Ask at the Unicorn
Raymond Williams – Communications
Music
Dilys Elwyn-Edwards – Caneuon y Tri Aderyn
Alun Hoddinott – Folksong Suite
William Mathias – Postlude
Grace Williams – Four Medieval Welsh Poems for alto, harp and harpsichord
David Wynne – Cymric Rhapsodies
Film
Richard Burton and Donald Houston appear in The Longest Day. Peter Greenaway makes his first film: Death of Sentiment. Jack Howells makes the short documentary Dylan Thomas featuring Richard Burton.
Broadcasting
Welsh-language radio
13 February – Saunders Lewis gives the Welsh Home Service’s Annual Lecture, entitled Tynged yr Iaith (The Fate of the Language).
Television
14 September – The first transmitter, at Preseli, of the Teledu Cymru – Wales (West and North) Television service comes on air.
English-language television
17 September – First edition of the Welsh national news programme BBC Wales Today.
Sport
Football – John Charles returns to Leeds United from several years playing for Italian clubs. Golf – Brian Huggett wins the Dutch Open championship. BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year – Ivor Allchurch