Facts and Events That Happened in This Year
NORAD's Santa tracking service begins.
Cardiff was proclaimed the capital of Wales by the UK's Minister for Welsh Affairs.
Johnny Cash released 'Folsom Prison Blues.'
Rosa Parks was arrested.
James Dean's most acclaimed movie, 'Rebel Without a Cause,' was released in the US.
The Return of the King, the third installment in The Lord of the Rings book series by J. R. R. Tolkein, was published.
ABC aired the first episode of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'
Hollywood actor James Dean died aged 24.
The ITV network launched in the UK, which became the BBC's first rival.
Swiss engineer George de Mestral patented velcro.
The Space Race began between the two Cold War rivals, the USA and the USSR.
Austrian State Treaty came to force.
Disneyland opens its doors for the first time.
Mainau Declaration is signed by 18 Nobel laureates.
Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & Comets reached #1 on the US singles charts.
Illinois became the first US state to make it compulsory by law to wear a seatbelt.
Disney's classic movie 'Lady and the Tramp' was released in theaters in the US.
More than 80 people die in the Le Mans car race disaster.
The Warsaw Pact is established.
West Germany gains full sovereignty after World War II.
Genius Albert Einstein died due to heart failure at age 76.
Jonas Salk's Polio vaccine tested by Jonas Salk was given final approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill resigned due to health concerns.
The popular board game Scrabble went on sale in the UK.
