What happened in December 1955?
The top front-page story of each day in December 1955, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Dec 1🌍 Soviet Antarctic Expedition – The Soviet Union launches its first Antarctic expedition to establish a research base, marking a significant step in polar exploration.
- Dec 2🏟️ Melbourne Olympic Progress – Melbourne makes rapid strides in Olympic preparations with a new stadium accommodating 110,000 fans.
- Dec 3📺 Color Tube Patented – Vladimir Zworykin patents a color tube for home TVs, marking a significant advancement in television technology.
- Dec 4🥊 Olson vs. Robinson Fight – Middleweight champion Olson defends his title against Sugar Ray Robinson in Chicago, aiming to regain his crown.
- Dec 5🌍 Veteran Blazes Antarctic Trail – Ex-dogsled driver leads expedition to mark route to a scientific station in Antarctica.
- Dec 6⚖️ High Court Ruling – U.S. Supreme Court overturns a death sentence based on jury bias, impacting three cases in Louisiana.
- Dec 7🔬 Cancer Virus Testing – Memorial Center initiates tests using viruses aimed at targeting and killing malignant cancer cells in patients.
- Dec 8🌍 U.N. Votes for 18 Nations – The U.N. committee endorses the entry of 18 nations, including 13 non-Communist and 5 Communist countries, with the U.S. abstaining.
- Dec 9🕎 Hanukkah Begins Tonight – Hanukkah starts for Jews with a ceremony at City Hall, featuring the lighting of the Torch of Freedom brought from Jerusalem.
- Dec 10🌍 U.N. Marks 10th Anniversary – A Pakistani representative emphasizes the importance of the United Nations, stating it is essential for humanity's future.
- Dec 11☀️ Large Solar Oven Built – Algeria constructs a large solar oven designed to harness solar energy for producing nitrate fertilizer.
- Dec 12🏌️ Snead Wins Miami Open – Sam Snead defeats Ed Bolt in a playoff at the Miami Open, setting a course record with a 29 on the back nine.
- Dec 13🌍 Ford Foundation Grants – Ford Foundation announces record $500 million to aid over 4,000 colleges and hospitals, significantly impacting education and healthcare.
- Dec 14🔬 New Veto Record Set – Soviet Union sets a new record with 15 vetoes in one day at the U.N., bringing its total to 74 vetoes in history.
- Dec 15🌍 U.N. Expands Membership – The United Nations prepares to add sixteen new members, doubling the representation of Communist nations.
- Dec 16🌉 Thruway Bridge Opens – The last toll link of the Thruway was dedicated with a daylong celebration, marking the completion of the Tappan Zee Bridge.
- Dec 17🌍 Eisenhower Arms Plan – U.N. Assembly votes in favor of Eisenhower's plan for aerial checks and data exchange on arms control.
- Dec 18🌍 Glacier Reaches Antarctica – A U.S. ship reaches the Antarctic coast, cutting through a 440-mile ice pack, marking a significant exploration milestone.
- Dec 19🔬 Airstrip Marked Antarctic – An expedition ship has marked an airstrip on Antarctic ice for a nonstop flight from New Zealand.
- Dec 20🌍 Yugoslavia Joins UN – Yugoslavia secures a seat in the UN Security Council, marking a significant diplomatic achievement amid a 35-ballot stalemate.
- Dec 21🌍 World Shipping Record – Total shipping tonnage exceeds 100 million for the first time, with the U.S. maintaining its lead in global shipping.
- Dec 22🌍 Stephens Wins Race – Stephens of Australia triumphs over Hungary's Iharos in a 3-mile race at Melbourne, finishing thirty yards ahead.
- Dec 23🌍 Floods Devastate Coast Area – Severe floods reported in Northern California, with two towns destroyed and Oregon heavily impacted.
- Dec 24🌊 California Floods Evacuate City – Major floods in California lead to the evacuation of a city of 12,500, with 21 reported deaths and federal aid authorized.
- Dec 25🎄 Holy Land Rites – Bethlehem's Christmas services attract large crowds of pilgrims crossing borders to celebrate the holiday.
- Dec 26🎄 Thousands Feast Together – Thousands gather for community dinners, providing meals to the needy, sick, and prisoners during the holiday season.
- Dec 27🎬 Disney's 'Littlest Outlaw' – Walt Disney's live film 'The Littlest Outlaw' opens in New York, featuring a boy's adventure with a horse in Mexico.
- Dec 28🔬 New Cancer Serum Hope – Isolation of a substance that blocks cell multiplication marks a significant step in cancer research.
- Dec 29🌍 Byrd Returns to Antarctica – Explorer Richard Byrd lands again in Little America, marking a significant moment in Antarctic exploration.
- Dec 30🔬 Nuclear Ban Support – U.S. endorses Pope's call for a nuclear test ban linked to arms control, emphasizing global disarmament efforts.
- Dec 31🏙️ Market Surges End Year – Stock market rallies to close 1955 near highs, with significant trading volume and gains across major companies.
Happy Birthday! 1955 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1955 in real headlines. See the 1955 book →
Born in December? Pick the day
Every birthday in December has its own On This Day in Headlines book: