Explore 3918 historical events from 1950–1959.
The Geneva Conference was intended to settle outstanding issues resulting from the Korean War and the First Indochina War and involved several nations. It took place in Geneva, Swi…
The Geneva Conference, an effort to restore peace in Indochina and Korea, begins
The First Indochina War, known alternatively internationally as the French Indochina War, was fought in French Indochina between France and the Viet Minh and their respective allie…
Indochina War: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends in a French defeat and a Viet Minh victory (the battle began on March 13
In December 1953, the British colonial government in Singapore passed the National Service Ordinance, requiring all male British subjects and Federal citizens between the ages of 1…
The anti-National Service Riots, by Chinese middle school students in Singapore, take place
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal cou…
The United States Supreme Court hands down a unanimous decision in Brown v
Massena is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. Massena is along the county's northern border, just south of the St. Lawrence River and the Three Nations Crossin…
At Massena, New York, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Saint Lawrence Seaway is held.
Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda was a Paraguayan politician, army general, and military dictator who ruled as the 42nd president of Paraguay from 15 August 1954 until his overthrow in …
Alfredo Stroessner begins his dictatorship in Paraguay.
Sports Illustrated (SI) is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million …
The first issue of Sports Illustrated is published.
Joseph Nye Welch was an American lawyer who served as the chief counsel for the United States Army while it was under investigation for Communist activities by Senator Joseph McCar…
Joseph N
Pope Pius XII was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 2 March 1939 until his death on 9 October 1958.
Pope Pius XII canonises Dominic Savio, who was 14 years old at the time of his death, as a saint, making him at the time
Carlos Castillo Armas was a Guatemalan military officer and politician who was the 28th president of Guatemala, serving from 1954 to 1957 after taking power in a coup d'état. A mem…
Carlos Castillo Armas leads an invasion force across the Guatemalan border, setting in motion the 1954 Guatemalan coup d
The First Indochina War, known alternatively internationally as the French Indochina War, was fought in French Indochina between France and the Viet Minh and their respective allie…
First Indochina War: Battle of Mang Yang Pass: Viet Minh troops belonging to the 803rd Regiment ambush G
Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant was built in the "Science City" of Obninsk, Kaluga Oblast, about 110 km (68 mi) southwest of Moscow, Soviet Union. Connected to the power grid in June 1…
The Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, the Soviet Union's first nuclear power station, opens in Obninsk, near Moscow
The 1954 FIFA World Cup was the fifth edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football tournament for senior men's national teams of the nations affiliated to …
The FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Hungary and Brazil, highly anticipated to be exciting, instead turns viole
The Cruise of the Kings was a royal cruise around the Mediterranean Sea in the summer of 1954, organised by Queen Frederica and King Paul of Greece.
The Cruise of the Kings, a royal cruise organised by the Queen Consort of Greece, Frederica of Hanover, departs from…
João Fernandes Campos Café Filho was a Brazilian politician who served as the 18th president of Brazil, taking office upon the suicide of President Getúlio Vargas. He was the first…
Vice president João Café Filho takes office as president of Brazil, following the suicide of Getúlio Vargas.
Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is widely regarded as one of the most culturally significant figures of the 20t…
Elvis Presley records his first single, "That's All Right", at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.
The First Indochina War, known alternatively internationally as the French Indochina War, was fought in French Indochina between France and the Viet Minh and their respective allie…
First Indochina War: Viet Minh troops successfully ambush the armoured French column 'G.M. 42' in the Battle of Chu…
Otto John was a German lawyer and intelligence official. During World War II, he was a conspirator in the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Following the war, he became the…
Germany: Otto John, head of West Germany's secret service, defects to East Germany.
The Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation ; also known as Radio Pakistan, serves as the national public broadcaster for radio in Pakistan. Although some local stations predate its foun…
Radio Pakistan broadcasts the "Qaumī Tarāna", the national anthem of Pakistan for the first time.
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American, four-engined, turboprop, military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs an…
The first flight of the Lockheed C-130 multi-role aircraft takes place.
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress and model. Known for playing comic "Blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s…
Marilyn Monroe's iconic skirt scene is shot during filming for The Seven Year Itch.
Ellen Rona Barkin is an American actress. Her breakthrough role was in the 1982 film Diner, and in the following years, she had starring roles in films such as Tender Mercies (1983…
Ellen Barkin, American actress
John Philip Bowe is an Australian racing driver, presently racing a BMW M4 in the GT4 Australia series.
John Bowe, Australian racing driver
Michael Zuke is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centreman who played eight seasons in the NHL, between 1978 and 1986.
Mike Zuke, Canadian ice hockey player