1950's

By AssaultToast

  • Start of the Korean War

    North Korea invades South Korea, starting the war.

  • Soviet Union proclaims to have atomic bomb

    Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin proclaims to have atomic bomb.

  • Queen Elizabeth II becomes Queen

    Queen Elizabeth II succeeds King George VI to the British throne and proclaimed Queen of the United Kingdom

  • Creation of Polio Vaccine

    Dr Jonas Salk announces vaccine to prevent polio

  • President voices concern over "Domino effect"

    US President Dwight D. Eisenhower in news conference is first to voice fear of a "domino-effect" of communism in Indo-China.

  • Rosa Parks refuses to give away seat.

    Rosa Parks is arrested for refusing to move to the back of a bus and give her seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama.

  • Telephone goes overseas.

    First transatlantic telephone cable goes into operation from Newfoundland to Oban.

  • Dog goes to space.

    USSR launches Sputnik 2 with a dog (Laika), 1st animal in orbit.

  • Supreme Court orders high school to integrate.

    US Supreme Court orders the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas to integrate

  • 1st Craft leaves Earth's orbit.

    Luna 1 (Mechta) becomes 1st craft to leave Earth's gravity