What happened in April 1955?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1955, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Apr 1🔬 New Schizophrenia Treatment – Chemists discuss new drugs that may help treat early schizophrenia, urging further research into additional treatments.
- Apr 2🌍 200 Die in Quakes – Devastating earthquakes rock the southern Philippines, resulting in 200 fatalities and leaving thousands homeless.
- Apr 3🏛️ Venice's Palaces Eroding – Venice's historic foundations are slowly being eroded by rising tides, threatening the city's architectural heritage.
- Apr 4🏀 Trotters vs. All-Stars – The Harlem Globetrotters defeat the All-Stars 69-63, while collegians win 81-71 in a double-header basketball event.
- Apr 5🏛️ NATO Building Plans – Paris receives plans for a $5,750,000 NATO building project, set to begin this summer if approved.
- Apr 6🌌 Sound Detected on Jupiter – Scientists detect radio waves from Jupiter, possibly caused by massive storms, sparking debate on life beyond Earth.
- Apr 7🏔️ Antarctic Airfield Planned – Byrd Expeditions announce plans to establish an airfield on Ross Shelf Ice for heavy aircraft operations.
- Apr 8🏛️ Experts Study Atomic Radiation – Academy to examine effects of atomic radiation on life, with support from Rockefeller Unit and A.E.C.
- Apr 9🏔️ Germans Draft South Pole Plan – A group of veteran explorers, supported by Bonn, plans to establish a research station in the South Pole by 1957-58.
- Apr 10🌍 Bandung Conference Rally – Asians rally for the Bandung Conference, aiming to solidify Nehru's stance on China policy and promote unity among Asian nations.
- Apr 11🏟️ Major League Debut – Kansas City welcomes Major League Baseball with Truman joining 200,000 fans for the sold-out game against the Tigers.
- Apr 12🔬 Polio Vaccine Findings – Dr. Jonas Salk's team reports on the effectiveness of the polio vaccine, potentially paving the way for mass immunization.
- Apr 13💉 Salk Vaccine Success – Salk's polio vaccine shows 80-90% efficacy; millions to be immunized starting April 25, marking a significant medical breakthrough.
- Apr 14💉 Polio Vaccine Shipping – Companies begin shipping polio vaccine supplies from Detroit and Philadelphia to the Polio Foundation for distribution.
- Apr 15🌍 World Bank Agency Planned – World Bank aims to create an agency to aid underdeveloped nations with $100 million investment from 56 countries.
- Apr 16🌍 Austro-Russian Pact Set – Soviet concessions linked to hope for 4-power talks; exit by '56 agreed, Moscow ready to yield seized assets.
- Apr 17🌏 Asian Unity Summit – Leaders from independent Asian and African nations convene for the first time, discussing unity and relations with the West.
- Apr 18🌍 Asia-Africa Unity Parley – The Asian-African Conference opens in Bandung, promoting unity and peace among 29 participating nations.
- Apr 19🧪 Einstein Passes Away – Dr. Albert Einstein dies in his sleep at 76, prompting global mourning for the renowned physicist and his contributions to science.
- Apr 20🏃 Hamamura Breaks Marathon Record – Japanese runner Hamamura sets a new Boston Marathon record at 2:18:22, beating the previous record by 29 seconds.
- Apr 21🎨 FRA ANGELICO ART SHOWN – Pope opens display marking the 500th anniversary of the painter Fra Angelico's death at the Vatican.
- Apr 22🌍 Self-Rule Accord Signed – An agreement for self-rule in Tunisia is signed, continuing French control over foreign affairs and defense.
- Apr 23🔬 Salk Honored as Benefactor – President congratulates Dr. Jonas Salk for his contributions to medicine, recognizing his work in developing the polio vaccine.
- Apr 24🔬 New Era in Medicine – Dr. Pauling predicts a new era in medicine at Mount Holyoke, emphasizing the importance of molecular structure study.
- Apr 25🌍 Bandung Parley Ends Harmony – Delegates at the Bandung Conference reach consensus on various Asian and African issues, promoting unity against colonialism.
- Apr 26🚢 Atom-Driven Ship Planned – U.S. Congress plans an atom-driven ship for a peace tour, showcasing nuclear benefits globally.
- Apr 27🌍 Soviet Joins Austrian Talks – Soviet Union agrees to participate in envoy discussions regarding the Austrian State Treaty in Vienna, signaling potential diplomatic progress.
- Apr 28🌍 Israeli Fete Celebrated – Groups in the U.S. celebrate Israeli Independence Day, distributing blue cornflowers in a public ceremony.
- Apr 29🔬 Polio Vaccine Network – Health authorities establish a network to monitor polio vaccine safety after cases of illness linked to recent inoculations.
- Apr 30🌍 U.N. Aids Desert Farmers – Scientists request U.N. assistance in forming a global weather station network to support desert farmers.
Happy Birthday! 1955 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1955 in real headlines. See the 1955 book →