What happened in May 1957?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1957, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1🔬 Tagged Antibody Breakthrough – Fluorescent dyes enhance bacterial identification speed, promising wide use in medical diagnostics.
- May 2🏆 Robinson Regains Title – Robinson knocks out Fullmer in the fifth round to reclaim the middleweight crown in a star-studded boxing match.
- May 3🏛️ McCarthy Dies at 47 – Senator Joseph McCarthy dies of liver ailment; Eisenhower and Congress leaders express condolences for his controversial legacy.
- May 4🏙️ Pope Urges Slum Cleanup – Pope calls on European governments to address the disgrace of slums, urging action to improve living conditions.
- May 5🌊 San Francisco Model Ready – A model of San Francisco's waterway is nearly complete, designed to study potential reshaping and improvements.
- May 6📬 Mail Sorter Breakthrough – U.S. praises Dutch mail sorting machine as a significant advancement in postal technology, enhancing efficiency.
- May 7🔬 Britain Proposes Atomic Plan – Britain suggests a three-step plan to end atomic tests, calling for registration, limitation, and eventual ban under arms cuts.
- May 8🔬 Nuclear Power Development – Report on nuclear power development presented to European Atom Pool, outlining plans for energy expansion.
- May 9📈 Tokyo Market Breaks – Tokyo stock market experiences a significant decline, dropping 4% as 50 million shares are sold amid rising bank rates.
- May 10🛰️ Satellite Life Estimate – An astrophysicist estimates the first artificial satellite's life at nine years, aiding in charting Earth's true shape.
- May 11🌌 Milky Way Size Reset – Astronomers report the Milky Way may be 25% larger than previously estimated, indicating potential changes in the solar system.
- May 12🔬 Khrushchev's Economic Policy – Khrushchev outlines a new economic policy during a Supreme Soviet session, aiming to reform the Soviet economy.
- May 13🔬 Decrease in Cancer Deaths – A report highlights a decrease in cancer deaths due to advancements in treatments and prevention methods over the past two years.
- May 14🔬 New Fuel Tested – Hanford Works tests new fuel aimed at reducing costs for making plutonium usable in atomic reactors.
- May 15🌍 New Atom Tests Announced – New series of atom tests to be the most extensive yet, with foreign shelters facing test firings from a manned plane.
- May 16🔬 Atomic Plane Progress – Experimental reactor built that may lead to power plants for aircraft, marking a significant advancement in aviation technology.
- May 17🌍 U.N. Body Meets Monday – Security Council to discuss French request for Egypt to adhere to principles regarding the Suez Canal.
- May 18🛰️ Satellite Test Success – 1,600 people watch the U.S. stage its first rehearsal to trace a man-made moon for the Geophysical Year.
- May 19🔬 Science Fuel Abundance – New studies reveal underground resources could provide over 1,000 years of fuel supply, highlighting advancements in coal and oil efficiency.
- May 20🌍 Fangio Wins Monaco GP – Juan Manuel Fangio triumphs in the 206-mile Grand Prix of Monaco, showcasing his racing prowess before 40,000 spectators.
- May 21🌪️ Tornado Hits Kansas City – 28 dead and 200 injured as a tornado strikes the Kansas City area, causing significant damage in suburban regions.
- May 22✈️ Jet Flies Atlantic Fast – Jet sets unofficial record flying the Atlantic in 6 hours and 40 minutes, 30 years after Lindbergh's historic flight.
- May 23🌪️ Tornadoes Hit Central U.S – New tornadoes brush Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, with 431 reported sightings so far in 1957.
- May 24🌍 Catholics Report Growth – Catholic Church reports an increase of 989,834 members in the U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii during 1956.
- May 25🌍 Courtney Sets Record – Courtney sets a world record in the 880-yard race, clocking in at 1:46.8, while three relay marks are also broken on the West Coast.
- May 26🌍 Moon Camera Developed – Scientists create a camera to improve Earth's map accuracy, aiding in rectifying measurements and enhancing mapping precision.
- May 27⛵ Carina Wins Race – Nye Yawl Carina claims victory in a 150-mile sailing race, with Sirius finishing in second place.
- May 28🌍 Earthquake Toll Mounts – 54 dead and hundreds of homes destroyed in Turkey due to a severe earthquake with big boulders plunging off mountains.
- May 29🚀 Navy Tests Space Rocket – The Navy announces plans to test a new space rocket designed to propel an Earth satellite, with trial firings set for Florida.
- May 30🌍 Gulf Dedicates Laboratories – Gulf Oil dedicates three new laboratories aimed at increasing oil recovery and developing new products and processes.
- May 31🏗️ Big Uranium Field Opened – A major uranium field opened in Canada, reviving a previously overlooked area with government support.
Happy Birthday! 1957 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1957 in real headlines. See the 1957 book →