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The Korean War
A conflict between South Korea (supported by the U.S. and the United Nations) and communist North Korea (supported by China and the Soviet Union) that ultimately ended in a stalemate with the nations divided at the 38th parallel. -
First Hydrogen Bomb Test
The United States conducted its first nuclear test of a fusion device, or “hydrogen bomb,” at Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. It destroyed the island of Elugelab and parts of nearby islands. -
Jonas Salk announces Polio vaccine
The virus consisted of an injected dose of inactivated (dead) poliovirus. Human testing began in 1957 and it was released to the public in 1962. -
Einstein's Brain Stolen
Albert Einstein passes from a ruptured aneurysm. His brain is taken from his corpse without permission by the family by Thomas Stoltz Harvey, the man conducting the autopsy. -
Nikita Khrushchev's "Secret Speech"
"On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences" was given by Khrushchev. The speech was sharply critical of the reign of his predecessor Joseph Stalin and denounced his use of a "personality cult." -
Elvis releases his First Album
Elvis Presley releases the first album of his career with Sun recordings. It was named after himself. -
Sputnik 1 Launched
Sputnik 1 is launched into orbit by the Soviet Union as the first artificial satellite. This sparked the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, a piece of the larger Cold War. -
Castro rises to Power
Fidel Castro becomes Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of communist Cuba, a very near threat to the democratic United States.
