What happened in January 1951?
The top front-page story of each day in January 1951, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jan 1🕊️ New Year Celebrations – Time Square throngs celebrate New Year with prayers for peace, as 850,000 revelers join the festivities.
- Jan 2📈 Emancipation Date Celebrated – Harlem marks Emancipation Day with a proclamation read and a reenactment of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
- Jan 3🏛️ Independence Hall Federalized – Philadelphia transfers Independence Hall and other shrines to federal care as part of a park plan.
- Jan 4🌾 Grain Prices Surge – Buying movement pushes corn, rye, and soybeans to seasonal highs, while wheat lags behind.
- Jan 5🔬 New Power Plant Planned – T.V.A. announces plans for a new power plant in Kentucky to support an upcoming atomic installation.
- Jan 6🌍 U.N. Bars Atrocity Film – The United Nations rejects a Soviet proposal to endorse a North Korean film alleging U.S. war crimes.
- Jan 7🔬 Artificial Epidemics Created – Research reveals artificial epidemics can be generated in labs, aiding in understanding brain tumors and other health issues.
- Jan 8🏨 Hotel Leased on Waverly – The Earle and Annex are leased for 21 years, with houses and lofts involved in other deals.
- Jan 9🌧️ Drought Broken in Israel – Rain arrives a month late in Israel, averting disaster for the nation's crops and providing much-needed relief.
- Jan 10🔬 TV Aids Cancer Research – Princeton scientists demonstrate new RCA equipment for studying live cells, enhancing cancer research capabilities.
- Jan 11🏅 Truman Receives Medallion – President Truman is awarded the Wilson Medallion, recognized as the American Nobel Peace Prize, in a formal ceremony.
- Jan 12🧠 Advances in Brain Surgery – Prof. Fulton highlights new techniques in brain surgery that could alleviate severe mental illnesses and pain.
- Jan 13🔬 Artificial Kidney Saves Lives – A prosthetic device prevents death in post-operative shock, showcasing advancements in medical technology.
- Jan 14📈 Stock Market Boom – Inflation and the allure of easy profits draw significant investment into the stock market, signaling a potential economic recovery.
- Jan 15🏗️ Record Homes Built – 24,991 homes constructed in Nassau in 1950, marking a significant increase from 17,048 in 1949.
- Jan 16✈️ Danish Air Cadets – 28 Danish air cadets prepare for training in Texas, eager to fly jet planes for the Atlantic Pact service.
- Jan 17🌍 Wilson Peace Ship Fire – The S.S. George Washington, known as the Wilson Peace Ship, was destroyed by fire at Baltimore Pier, with a nearby sister vessel saved.
- Jan 18🖼️ Philadelphia Art Donation – Philadelphia receives the Arensberg Collection, a significant donation of 1,000 art items to its museum.
- Jan 19🌍 U.S. Urges UN Action – The U.S. calls for a new UN initiative to label China as an aggressor, proposing a five-point plan regarding Korea.
- Jan 20🏛️ Cancer Clinics Approved – Surgeons endorse 609 cancer clinics in a network across the U.S. and Canada to enhance cancer detection and treatment.
- Jan 21🌍 Avalanches Cause Deaths – Avalanches kill 32 in Switzerland, 4 in North Italy, and 3 in Austria, causing widespread concern across three nations.
- Jan 22⛷️ Blikstad Wins Ski Tournament – Blikstad triumphs at Swedish ski tournament, leaping 144 and 146 feet, while Tyler and Tokle also excel.
- Jan 23📚 Stanley P. Chase Dies – Stanley P. Chase, a Bowdoin College English professor for 25 years, passes away. He was known for translating 'The Pearl'.
- Jan 24🌍 World Bank Loans South Africa – World Bank and U.S. group provide South Africa with $80 million in loans, marking a significant financial support for the country.
- Jan 25🔬 Hope for Polio Control – Tests show promise for controlling polio by maintaining adrenal gland balance, with supporting evidence found.
- Jan 26🌍 C.A.R.E. Aids Yugoslavia – C.A.R.E. announces a $35 million aid package to provide food rations for Yugoslavia amid post-war recovery efforts.
- Jan 27🌍 U.N. News Pact Progress – The United Nations is nearing an agreement on a key provision for a future treaty, indicating majority support for the formula.
- Jan 28🌍 Atomic Test Blast – An atomic test in Nevada creates a visible explosion seen from four states, described as a 'Big Sunburst'.
- Jan 29💡 Soviet Canal System – Soviet Union completes a vast canal system, allowing ocean craft to navigate from the Baltic to the Black Sea by spring 1952.
- Jan 30💻 New 'Magic Brain' Shown – A desk-sized computer, used in defense work, can analyze complex business problems, showcasing advancements in technology.
- Jan 31🏛️ U.S. and France Agree – U.S. and France reach consensus on European defense policy, pledging cooperation for a Korean solution.
Happy Birthday! 1951 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1951 in real headlines. See the 1951 book →
Born in January? Pick the day
Every birthday in January has its own On This Day in Headlines book: