What happened in February 1955?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1955, 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🎹 Electronic Sound Synthesizer – R.C.A. announces an electronic device capable of duplicating any sound, revolutionizing music production and creativity.
- Feb 2🏆 Track Records Set – Six world track and field records for American athletes certified in London, including Santee's 3:42.8 for 1,500 meters.
- Feb 3🏛️ Big Garden Party – Thousands in Trinidad meet Princess Margaret, celebrating progress of the Federation and strengthening ties with the British monarchy.
- Feb 4✈️ New Vertical Jet – New jet-propelled aircraft completes test flights, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, marking a significant advancement in aviation technology.
- Feb 5🏖️ Beachwear Show Opens – De Rauch showcases a new black jersey swim suit with long tight sleeves, marking a stylish entry into beach fashion.
- Feb 6📚 U.N. Technicians Create Rain – U.N. technicians use a simple device to increase rainfall in Punjab, producing 50% more precipitation in the area.
- Feb 7🏆 Littler Wins Phoenix Open – Littler captures the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament with a score of 275, finishing strong with a birdie on the last round.
- Feb 8🔬 Experts Approve Isoniazid – Atlanta conference confirms Isoniazid's effectiveness against tuberculosis after three years of trials.
- Feb 9🏛️ Eisenhower School Program – Eisenhower proposes a $7 billion program to build schools, urging federal-state-local cooperation for grants and loans.
- Feb 10🏢 A.F.L. and C.I.O. Merge – A.F.L. and C.I.O. announce merger, ending a 20-year labor split, with Meany leading the new organization of 15 million members.
- Feb 11⚛️ Edison Atom Power Plant – Edison announces plans to build the first privately financed atomic power plant near Peekskill, aimed at supplying electricity.
- Feb 12🔬 Thymus Growth Discovery – Nobel scientist identifies a yellow chemical in the thymus gland, offering insights into growth and development.
- Feb 13🏛️ Lincoln Home Restored – The home of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, has been fully restored and opened as a public shrine.
- Feb 14📜 Israel Acquires Scrolls – Israel purchases four ancient manuscripts, including the oldest known Isaiah scroll, from an Arab Christian prelate.
- Feb 15📜 Harvard Manuscript Arts – Harvard unveils rare handwritten and illuminated texts from the 8th to 19th century, showcasing historical knowledge and artistry.
- Feb 16⚡ Britain Plans Nuclear Plants – Britain announces a historic ten-year plan to build 12 nuclear power plants to meet future energy needs.
- Feb 17🐧 Emperor Penguins Captured – Atka takes six emperor penguins from newly discovered Antarctic coast, showcasing wildlife exploration efforts.
- Feb 18🏔️ Climber Attempts Lhotse – An American resident prepares to leave for Lhotse, the world's second tallest peak, aiming to make a historic ascent.
- Feb 19🌍 Atomic Tests Begin – Small blast opens atomic tests in Nevada as scientists wait for weather conditions to improve.
- Feb 20🌍 Treaty of Manila Enforced – Nations deposit documents ratifying the defense pact for Southeast Asia, strengthening regional security.
- Feb 21🔬 Nuclear Energy Talks – Dulles brings a complete file on peaceful uses of nuclear energy to Bangkok discussions, highlighting global interest in atomic issues.
- Feb 22🏗️ New Farm Area in Israel – Large farm area initiated in Israel to provide homes and work for 12,000 families near Hebron Hills.
- Feb 23🔬 Salk Polio Tests Success – Jonas Salk discusses successful polio vaccine tests at New York University, marking a significant medical breakthrough.
- Feb 24🌌 Moon of Jupiter Found – UNIVAC rediscovered the 8th satellite of Jupiter, lost since 1941, through new calculations and data analysis.
- Feb 25📊 U.S. Population Surges – U.S. population rises by a record 2,823,000, with over 4 million births reported in 1954.
- Feb 26🔬 Age of Universe Estimated – Columbia scientists estimate the universe's age at 4.8 billion years based on lead composition analysis.
- Feb 27🕊️ Pigeon Veterans Return – Last of 200 combat fliers from Korea return to Monmouth, accompanied by 40 Japanese birds.
- Feb 28📈 World Economy Growth – U.N. reports global trade has doubled since 1938, with commodity output increasing from 12% to 174%.
Happy Birthday! 1955 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1955 in real headlines. See the 1955 book →