What happened in August 1955?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1955, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Aug 1🚀 Space Flight Plans – Copenhagen experts emphasize cooperation as key to successful satellite plans, highlighting global interest in space exploration.
- Aug 2🌍 Schools Face Global Issues – Istanbul Conference highlights financial challenges in raising educational standards worldwide.
- Aug 3🚀 Soviet Planning Satellite – Russian expert claims success in launching an early satellite is 'quite possible' within two years.
- Aug 4🏟️ Dodgers Win Big Game – Brooks hits four home runs leading Dodgers to a 9-6 victory over Braves in front of 42,747 fans.
- Aug 5🔬 New Vaccine Method – Philadelphia group reports a safer, quicker, and cheaper method for vaccine production, promising advancements in public health.
- Aug 6🏊 Furukawa Sets Record – Furukawa establishes a new breast-stroke world record of 2:33.7 at a swimming meet in Tokyo, showcasing remarkable athletic talent.
- Aug 7🏨 Hilton Hotel Opens – A $16 million Hilton hotel is dedicated in California with support from Vice President Nixon.
- Aug 8🔬 Soviet Atomic Exhibit – Soviet Union showcases atomic energy advancements at Geneva, highlighting peace themes and a small reactor.
- Aug 9🔬 President Hails Atom Conference – President renews pledge for peaceful atomic energy use at the opening of an international atomic conference.
- Aug 10🕊️ Nagasaki Remembers Bombing – Nagasaki holds a Buddhist rite to honor victims of the 1945 atomic blast, releasing doves to symbolize peace.
- Aug 11🔬 New Nuclear Reactor – British announce a 2-for-1 nuclear reactor that produces twice as much fuel as it consumes, marking a significant advancement in nuclear technology.
- Aug 12🚀 Rocket Plane Development – Plans for a rocket plane capable of reaching 2,000 mph are announced, focusing on overcoming friction heat challenges.
- Aug 13🌧️ Record Rain Swamps City – A hurricane brought 6.87 inches of rain, causing severe flooding and disruptions in the city, with 11 reported dead.
- Aug 14🔬 Atoms-for-Peace Conference – The U.S. reveals new nuclear power advancements at the Geneva conference, aiming for peaceful atomic energy use.
- Aug 15🔬 Limitless Energy Predicted – Atom experts at the Geneva Conference predict limitless energy from nuclear power, citing modern alchemy for transmuting metals.
- Aug 16🌍 U.S. Gives Tibetan Asylum – The U.S. grants political asylum to the Dalai Lama's elder brother, who will teach in an American school.
- Aug 17🚀 Scientists Hail Satellite Plan – Rocket and space experts celebrate the satellite plan as one of humanity's greatest achievements.
- Aug 18🔬 Atom Scientists Share Data – Scientists at Geneva end secrecy on neutron fuel efficiency, revealing breakthroughs in nuclear energy.
- Aug 19🔬 Major Atomic Power Breakthrough – New technology for atomic power using liquid metals is hailed at Geneva, promising significant cost reductions.
- Aug 20🌧️ Northeast Floods Devastate – Floods in the Northeast kill 73 and cause billions in damage, prompting four states to declare emergencies.
- Aug 21🌊 Flood Toll Rises – Flood toll reaches 143 as rivers recede; President speeds disaster relief efforts for affected areas.
- Aug 22🌊 Flood Areas Relief Task – Flood toll rises to 181 as six states work on restoring utilities and travel lines; Red Cross provides aid.
- Aug 23🌊 Flood Relief Efforts – President visits flood sites to confer on aid, meeting governors and initiating relief measures for affected areas.
- Aug 24🌊 Flood Control Meeting – Plans to protect areas affected by recent floods are discussed at a state meeting in Albany today.
- Aug 25🌊 Flood Grants Approved – President allocates $100 million in flood grants to aid recovery efforts in affected states, with additional loans available.
- Aug 26🌊 Flood Aid Funded – President allocates $1 billion in loans for flood recovery efforts in affected states, addressing significant property losses.
- Aug 27🌍 Dulles Proposes Peace Pact – Secretary Dulles suggests a peace guarantee for Israel and Arab nations, advocating for a U.N. pledge and financial support for refugees.
- Aug 28🌍 Tunisian Self-Rule Pact – Tunisia celebrates as Bey signs a self-rule agreement with Paris, restoring the nation's internal autonomy.
- Aug 29🏆 Australia Wins Davis Cup – Australia triumphs in the Davis Cup final, completing a sweep with Hoad and Rosewall winning their singles matches.
- Aug 30🏦 World Bank Aids Latin – World Bank provides loans of $5.5 million to Uruguay and $1.5 million to Nicaragua for development projects.
- Aug 31🔬 Salk Shots Proved Effective – Salk polio vaccine shown to be effective in preventing paralytic polio in state and city populations.
Happy Birthday! 1955 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1955 in real headlines. See the 1955 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: