Paul Dobson is an English former professional footballer. He was a prolific striker in the lower leagues during the 1980s and early 1990s, notably for Torquay United.

1962Galina Malchugina, Russian sprinter^[†]

Galina Vyacheslavovna Malchugina is a retired sprinter from Russia. Competing for the Soviet relay team, she won medals at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. In the individual distance 200 metres her success came mostly on European level, although she won a bronze medal at the 1995 World Championships.

1962Rocco Mediate, American golfer and journalist^[†]

Rocco Anthony Mediate is an American professional golfer who has won six times on the PGA Tour and three times on the PGA Tour Champions. In the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines South Course, he finished runner-up after losing the first sudden-death hole after an 18-hole playoff to Tiger Woods. In 2016, Mediate won the Senior PGA Championship, one of the five senior majors.

Notable Deaths

1962Thomas Mitchell, American actor (born 1892)^[†]

Thomas John Mitchell was an Irish-American actor and writer. Among his most famous roles in a long career are those of Gerald O'Hara in Gone with the Wind, Doc Boone in Stagecoach, Uncle Billy in It's a Wonderful Life, Pat Garrett in The Outlaw, and Mayor Jonas Henderson in High Noon. Mitchell was the first male actor to gain the Triple Crown of Acting by winning an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony Award.

Historical Context for December 17, 1962

In 1962, the world population was approximately 3,123,374,315 people^[†]