What happened in October 1955?
The top front-page story of each day in October 1955, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Oct 1🔬 Major Salk Goal Set – O'Connor announces sufficient polio vaccine will be available for children aged 1 to 10 next year.
- Oct 2🌍 U.N. Faces French Walkout – French withdrawal from U.N. debates on Algeria shocks delegates, raising concerns about international cooperation.
- Oct 3🌪️ Hurricane Broadcasts Analyzed – Weather Bureau evaluates accuracy of TV and radio reports amid concerns over hurricane impacts.
- Oct 4🎹 Gilels Triumphs in Philadelphia – Top Soviet pianist Emil Gilels receives an ovation after performing Tchaikovsky's work in Philadelphia.
- Oct 5🎶 Mitropoulos Debuts in London – Conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos makes his debut with the London Philharmonic, featuring soloist Myra Hess.
- Oct 6🎭 Ballet 'Sylphides' Restaged – Sadler's Wells Ballet restages Fokine's 'Sylphides', capturing the style and mood of its original creator.
- Oct 7🚀 Satellite Development Contract – Martin Company receives a preliminary contract to build a space satellite, with G.E. set to produce the rocket motor.
- Oct 8🌍 Soviet Atom Plan Reply – The Soviet Union responds to the U.S. regarding atomic energy plans, hinting at a favorable attitude towards a new agency.
- Oct 9🌊 Aerial Egg Hunt – Scientists plan an aerial test in Tennessee to hunt for concealed radioactive cobalt.
- Oct 10🌍 Flood Devastates Punjab – The flood of the century in Punjab resulted in 175 deaths, 8,000 cattle lost, and $30 million in agricultural damage.
- Oct 11🌍 U.N. Group Meets – Delegates from 25 countries gather in Manila to discuss reducing air travel restrictions and bureaucratic red tape.
- Oct 12🌍 Soviet Backs Peace Unit – Soviet Union offers support for an international Atoms-for-Peace agency aimed at promoting global nuclear safety.
- Oct 13💉 Salk Vaccine Expansion – Priority widened for the Salk vaccine, urging shots for 14-year-olds, infants, and eventually pregnant women.
- Oct 14🎭 Opera Revival Success – The City Company revives Tchaikovsky's 'The Golden Slippers', enchanting audiences with a fairy tale performance.
- Oct 15🔬 More Salk Shots Available – Polio vaccine supply will be distributed to states, territories, and the National Foundation for public health.
- Oct 16📜 Dead Sea Scrolls Found – The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls reveals new insights into historical and religious contexts.
- Oct 17✈️ Jet Airliner Record – Boeing 707 sets a cross-U.S. record by flying 2,340 miles in 3 hours, 58 minutes, showcasing future travel advancements.
- Oct 18✈️ Navy Plane Sets Record – Skyhawk, the smallest atom carrier, achieves a world record speed of 695 mph over a 500-kilometer course.
- Oct 19🔬 New Atom Particle Found – A new particle termed a negative proton is discovered, creating a 'nuclear ghost' from energy in a coast atom-machine.
- Oct 20⚡ New Power Plant Opens – Soviet Union inaugurates a new power plant on the Dnieper River, enhancing electricity output and irrigation capabilities.
- Oct 21🔬 Fossil Confirms Link – Museum expedition uncovers bones of a cat-size reptile-mammal in Arizona, providing evidence of a 'missing link'.
- Oct 22🔬 Ancient City Unearthed – Archaeologists from Princeton discover an ancient city in Sicily, seeking clues to its sudden destruction.
- Oct 23🐶 Dog Show Winner – Ch. Barrage of Quality Hill wins best in show at Albany, marking its sixth all-breed score.
- Oct 24🌌 Universe Proves Faith – A British cosmologist's book is cited as evidence supporting deep insights of religion.
- Oct 25🏛️ Canaanite Shrine Found – Rothschild Expedition uncovers a 1400 B.C. sanctuary in Israel, shedding light on ancient civilizations.
- Oct 26🖼️ Sculptor as Art Envoy – Louis Dlucosz from Lackawanna, N.Y., to represent U.S. art in Paris, showcasing American originality.
- Oct 27☕ Coffee Exports Surge – Brazil sees coffee shipments more than double compared to the previous year, boosting optimism among farmers.
- Oct 28⚓ Giant Submarine Planned – Navy reveals plans for a new submarine featuring two atomic engines and advanced speed capabilities.
- Oct 29🔬 Atomic Advance Planned – Yale plans a significant advance in atomic research, focusing on fusion beyond hydrogen, with new laboratories dedicated.
- Oct 30🌍 U.N. Faces Key Issues – The United Nations confronts pressing topics including disarmament, colonialism, and the admission of new member states.
- Oct 31🔬 Moscow Reports Record Harvest – Soviet Agriculture Ministry announces the largest grain production in Soviet history.
Happy Birthday! 1955 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1955 in real headlines. See the 1955 book →
Born in October? Pick the day
Every birthday in October has its own On This Day in Headlines book: