May 17
May 17
Brown v. Board of Ed is decided
May 17, 1954: In a major civil rights victory, the U.S. Supreme Court hands down an unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, ruling that racial segregation…
A Year In History: 1954
Also Within This Year in History:
1954
In 1954, a year of breakthroughs, the first successful polio vaccine rolled out and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled school segregation unconstitutional. In England, Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. Two pop-culture titans, movie star Marilyn Monroe and baseball slugger Joe DiMaggio, tied the knot. And Bill Haley and His Comets released “Rock Around the Clock,” one of the earliest and most successful rock ‘n’ roll records.
June 2
June 2
Senator Joseph McCarthy charges communists are in the CIA
Senator Joseph McCarthy charges that communists have infiltrated the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the atomic weapons industry. Although McCarthy’s accusations created a momentary controversy, they were quickly dismissed as…
June 7
June 7
Writer Louise Erdrich is born
Award‑winning novelist Louise Erdrich is born on this day in Little Falls, Minnesota. Erdrich’s Native American heritage became a dominant theme in her novels, which explored the lives of American…
June 9
June 9
“Have you no sense of decency?” Sen. Joseph McCarthy is asked in hearing
In a dramatic confrontation, Joseph Welch, special counsel for the U.S. Army, lashes out at Senator Joseph McCarthy during hearings on whether communism has infiltrated the U.S. armed forces. Welch’s…
June 14
June 14
First nationwide civil defense drill held
Over 12 million Americans “die” in a mock nuclear attack, as the United States goes through its first nationwide civil defense drill. Though American officials were satisfied with the results…
June 17
June 17
Marciano beats Charles
On June 17, 1954, Rocky Marciano successfully defends his heavyweight title against Ezzard Charles at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. It was Marciano’s 47th consecutive victory. Rocky Marciano, born Rocco…
July 5
July 5
Elvis Presley records “That’s All Right (Mama)”
On July 5, 1954, record producer Sam Phillips records an unrehearsed performance of “That’s All Right” by an unknown young truck driver named Elvis Presley It’s a moment some regard…
July 8
July 8
Colonel Castillo Armas takes power in Guatemala
Col. Carlos Castillo Armas is elected president of the junta that overthrew the administration of Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz Guzman in late June 1954. The election of Castillo Armas was…
August 16
August 16
“Sports Illustrated” magazine debuts
On August 16, 1954, a new magazine dedicated to covering sports appears on American newsstands. Announcing itself with a striking cover photo of Milwaukee Braves third baseman Eddie Mathews, his…
August 20
August 20
United States decides to support noncommunist nations in Southeast Asia
President Eisenhower approves a National Security Council paper titled “Review of U.S. Policy in the Far East.” This paper supported Secretary of State Dulles’ view that, in light of U.S.…
August 24
August 24
Congress passes Communist Control Act
Congress passes the Communist Control Act in response to the growing anticommunist hysteria in the United States. Though full of ominous language, many found the purpose of the act unclear.…
September 8
September 8
SEATO established
Having been directed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to put together an alliance to contain any communist aggression in the free territories of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, or Southeast Asia…
September 9
September 9
Powerful earthquake rocks Algeria
On this day in 1954, a 6.8‑magnitude earthquake strikes Algeria, near Orleansville, killing 1,600 people. Another 5,000 people suffered serious injuries during the strong tremor and series of aftershocks that…
September 15
September 15
Famous Marilyn Monroe “skirt” scene filmed
The famous picture of Marilyn Monroe, laughing as her skirt is blown up by the blast from a subway vent, is shot on September 15, 1954 during the filming of…
September 29
September 29
Willie Mays makes catch
On September 29, 1954, Willie Mays, centerfielder for the New York Giants, makes an amazing over‑the‑shoulder catch of a fly ball hit by Cleveland Indians first baseman Vic Wertz to…
September 30
September 30
This Day in History Video: What Happened on September 30
On this day, 24‑year‑old actor James Dean dies in a car accident. Although Dean appeared in only three movies during his brief movie career, he made a deep impression on…
September 30
September 30
USS Nautilus—world’s first nuclear submarine—is commissioned
The USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear submarine, is commissioned by the U.S. Navy. The Nautilus was constructed under the direction of U.S. Navy Captain Hyman G. Rickover, a brilliant…
October 10
October 10
Viet Minh take control in the north
On October 10, 1954, the Viet Minh formally take over Hanoi and control of North Vietnam. The Vietnam Doc Lap Dong Minh (Vietnam Independence League), or Viet Minh as it…
October 15
October 15
Hurricane Hazel hits the Carolinas and Ontario
Hurricane Hazel, the fourth major hurricane of 1954, hammers southern Ontario, Canada, on this day in 1954. Hazel hit hard from Jamaica to Canada, killing more than 400 people and…
October 25
October 25
President Eisenhower pledges support to South Vietnam
President Eisenhower pledges support to South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem’s government and military forces in a letter on October 25, 1954. Eisenhower made it clear to Diem that U.S.…
