What happened in August 1957?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1957, 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🚁 Larger Helicopters Approved – City clears 12-passenger helicopters fitted with pontoons for use at heliport, marking a significant advancement in air transport.
- Aug 2🌍 U.S., Canada Air Defense – U.S. and Canada plan joint air defense operations under General Partridge, enhancing continental security measures.
- Aug 3🔬 Machine Fills Scroll Blanks – I.B.M. computer fills in missing words in Dead Sea Scrolls, aiding scholars in language engineering tasks.
- Aug 4🌍 Tito, Khrushchev Bond – Tito and Khrushchev meet in Romania, agreeing to strengthen ties between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union amid Cold War tensions.
- Aug 5🔬 Chromosome Study Advances – Scientists reveal new findings on heredity through radioactive DNA, uncovering two strands in chromosomes.
- Aug 6🌍 Glacier Reaction Studied – Scientists in Alaska examine how glaciers absorb solar energy, indicating climate change effects on ice packs.
- Aug 7🏆 Sweden's Waern Runs Mile – Sweden's Waern breaks the four-minute barrier again, clocking 3:59.7 in a mile race, marking his second achievement in weeks.
- Aug 8📜 Dead Sea Scrolls Movie – A film adaptation of the Dead Sea Scrolls is announced, with Sutherland producing from Burrows' book.
- Aug 9🔬 Radar Discovery Advances – A scientific breakthrough allows radar to cover greater distances without increasing power, enhancing its capabilities.
- Aug 10🎨 Mural at Idlewild – A semi-abstract mural themed on flight adorns Idlewild Terminal, showcasing an old art technique.
- Aug 11🔬 Anti-Polio Drive Launched – An anti-polio vaccination campaign begins in Riga, targeting about 80,000 children with the Salk-type vaccine.
- Aug 12🏔️ Eiger Climbing Tragedy – Many lives lost on Eiger as climbers face sheer walls. Rescue efforts ongoing for those missing.
- Aug 13☕ U.S., Guatemala Coffee Pact – The U.S. and Guatemala sign a coffee agreement aimed at increasing production and improving quality for the latter.
- Aug 14🔬 SENATE APPROVES AID BILL – Senate adopts a $3.3 billion aid bill by voice vote, addressing pressing needs and sending the measure to the House for further consideration.
- Aug 15🎉 Nehru Celebrates Unity – Nehru urges India to advance in unity during a speech marking the 10-year anniversary of independence.
- Aug 16🌍 Particles of Sun Detected – Detection of ionization streams from the sun reported at a meeting, found only 20 miles above Earth.
- Aug 17⛵ British Yacht Wins – Cohoe Ill captures division honors in the Plymouth yacht race, with 16 of 43 crafts finishing the event.
- Aug 18🌍 New U.S. Park Proposed – Thoreau's 'Great Beach' is proposed as a national park, gaining local support for hiking and conservation efforts.
- Aug 19🎨 Festival of Arts Opens – The 11th Edinburgh Music and Drama Event kicks off with a concert celebrating Elgar's centenary.
- Aug 20🚀 Balloonist Sets Record – An Air Force doctor reaches a 19-mile altitude, setting a record that aids future space travel efforts.
- Aug 21🧊 Scientists in Greenland – European scientists plan to study glaciers by living in a plastic sphere beneath Greenland's ice, advancing climate research.
- Aug 22🏛️ Art Masterpiece Acquired – Governor Harriman and his wife acquire 'The White Clown' by Kahn after a 27-year wait for the masterpiece.
- Aug 23🥊 Patterson Retains Title – Patterson knocks out Rademacher in the sixth round, defending his heavyweight title after dropping him seven times.
- Aug 24🔬 Russians Test Time Slowdown – Soviet scientists explore the effects of speed on time, referencing Einstein's theories in their research.
- Aug 25🔬 Electric Rivers Explored – Scientists of the International Geophysical Year seek to confirm the existence of global electric currents.
- Aug 26⛵ Frenchman Sails World – A Frenchman completes a solo circumnavigation of the globe in a 30-foot sloop, rounding Cape Horn successfully.
- Aug 27🏆 Great Britain Wins Cup – Great Britain captures the Cup of Nations Tennis Tournament, scoring 76 points to secure victory over the U.S. team.
- Aug 28🌱 Photosynthesis Breakthrough – Scientists discover a new method for plants to produce food, enhancing understanding of photosynthesis.
- Aug 29🌍 9 Billion Humans Projected – Scientists predict the global population could reach 9 billion in 100 years, raising concerns about food and resource scarcity.
- Aug 30🇲🇾 Malaya Celebrates Independence – On the eve of independence, Malaya celebrates with festivities in Kuala Lumpur, showcasing its unique architecture and cultural heritage.
- Aug 31⛵ Yachts Set Sail – Record fleet departs Stamford for a 231-mile race to Vineyard, marking a significant sailing event.
Happy Birthday! 1957 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1957 in real headlines. See the 1957 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: