What happened in February 1951?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1951, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Feb 1🏛️ World Bank Financing Plan – World Bank plans to raise $100 million in financing through bonds to cover loan needs, involving 32 investment banks.
- Feb 2⚾ Baseball's 75th Birthday – Sixteen baseball legends participate in a ceremony celebrating the 75th anniversary of the sport's founding.
- Feb 3🔬 Radiation Found High – Increased radiation levels detected in the East, attributed to atomic tests, but deemed harmless by officials.
- Feb 4📜 Gutenberg Bible Display – Scribner's to sell the Shuckburgh copy of the Gutenberg Bible, lost since 1824, now acquired for public display.
- Feb 5🔬 New Steel-Making Process – A Hungarian-born inventor announces a new method to cut steel-making costs, promising extra capacity in months instead of years.
- Feb 6🏗️ New Glass Center Planned – A $2.5 million glass center will be built in Corning, NY, featuring a library, museum, and Steuben unit.
- Feb 7💥 Greatest Atom Test – Mightiest Nevada explosion felt in Los Angeles and seen over 500 miles away, marking a significant moment in atomic testing history.
- Feb 8🔬 Acheson Denounces Arming – Acheson states that Soviet Bloc arming is the fundamental cause of global tension, highlighting international security concerns.
- Feb 9🛋️ Modern Furniture Show – New showroom by Florence and Hans Knoll showcases tasteful groupings of modern furniture in room units.
- Feb 10🌍 Kashmir Solution Pressed – British lead talks to resolve the India-Pakistan impasse over Kashmir, recalling past failures in negotiations.
- Feb 11🎨 Concert Presents Ballet – Barzin, Balanchine, and dancers collaborate in an orchestral group's second program featuring music and ballet.
- Feb 12🎭 Gianni Schicchi on TV – Puccini's one-act opera 'Gianni Schicchi' is broadcast on NBC, showcasing innovative camera work that highlights the libretto.
- Feb 13🗳️ Israel Near Vote – Israel's parliament may decide on a critical religious issue regarding children's education, potentially impacting the regime's stability.
- Feb 14🌾 Wheat Sales Halted – World pact sales of wheat are halted as the government refrains from posting daily export subsidy rates amid tightening supplies.
- Feb 15⛵ Ticonderoga Wins Race – Ticonderoga wins the 184-mile yacht race from Miami to Nassau, with Caribbee and Revonoc following in a competitive finish.
- Feb 16🔬 U.S. Exploration Funds – $10 million allocated to aid exploration for strategic metals and minerals on a matching basis.
- Feb 17📈 U.S. Defense Pact Proposed – The U.S. outlines a defense pact for the Pacific region, suggesting a Monroe Doctrine-style alliance with Japan and four other nations.
- Feb 18🌱 Gardening Without Soil – Innovative methods show flowers and vegetables thriving on nutrients dissolved in water, marking a breakthrough in agriculture.
- Feb 19🌊 Seaway Debate Revived – Congress revives debate on the St. Lawrence Seaway, citing its defense role amid steel industry concerns.
- Feb 20🛰️ West Proposes Arms Talks – U.S., Britain, and France propose a meeting with Moscow on March 5 to discuss rising tensions and arms in Europe.
- Feb 21🎨 Sibelius Honored Concert – Philadelphia Orchestra features Sibelius' works, highlighting 'Pohjola's Daughter' in a celebrated performance.
- Feb 22🏛️ Eisenhower Returns to Europe – President Eisenhower arrives in Versailles, greeted by cheering passengers after his ocean crossing.
- Feb 23🔬 Atomic Engines Progress – Swift gains made on atomic engines; one submarine unit partly built, aircraft power nearing completion.
- Feb 24🌍 U.N. Revises Rights Treaty – U.N. Council in Chile votes to have the originating body rewrite the draft covenant on human rights.
- Feb 25🏅 Miss Altwegg Wins Title – Miss Altwegg is crowned the new world figure skating champion, setting a record in the competition.
- Feb 26⛸️ Button Wins Fourth Title – Button secures his fourth consecutive title at the World Figure Skating Championships in Milan, scoring 183.7 points.
- Feb 27🛰️ Unusual Sky Body Recorded – Navy photographs an unusual sky body, believed to be a minor planet or new asteroid, prompting interest in its orbit.
- Feb 28🎹 Piano Program Presented – Schrade presents a concert featuring Prokofieff and Villa-Lobos pieces at Town Hall, showcasing notable compositions.
Happy Birthday! 1951 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1951 in real headlines. See the 1951 book →