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Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant
The world's first nuclear power station opened in 1954 in Soviet Russia. The actual power output was small, but it demonstrated the potential of nuclear power to the world. Because of cold-war tensions, other countries scrambled to copy the Soviets. -
Polio Vaccine Announced.
In a press conference at the University of Michigan, Thomas Francis Jr., MD (a scientist with extensive experience with influenza vaccines), and colleagues announced the results of the poliovirus vaccine trial. The vaccine was 80-90% effective against paralytic polio. The press conference paved the way for widespread distribution and use of the vaccine. In 1994, polio was declared eliminated from the Americas -
Green Revolution.
The Green Revolution, or Third Agricultural Revolution, is a set of research technology transfer initiatives occurring between 1950 and the late 1960s, that increased agricultural production worldwide, particularly in the developing world, beginning most markedly in the late 1950s. New techniques and crops increased yields for farmers. -
ASEAN founded.
ASEAN was established in Bangkok by the five original member countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Well before the EU, The Association of Southeast Asian Nations served as a single political unit greater than the member states. Now it has 10 members. -
Green Belt Movement Founded
The Green Belt Movement is an indigenous, grassroots, non-governmental organization based in Nairobi, Kenya that takes a holistic approach to a development by focusing on environmental conservation, community development and capacity building. They have planted millions of trees since their founding. -
EU founded
Formed from the foundation of the ECC, the European Union was designed to provide massive benefits and advantages to citizens of member states. Currently the EU has 27 member states across Europe. -
NAFTA
Though similar to the EU or ASEAN, the North American Free Trade Association merely allowed members to trade without fees or other cost barriers. It was founded in 1994 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
