The Talyllyn Railway in Wales became the first railway line in the world to be run solely by volunteers.
A human organ is surgically reconstructed for the first time.
The European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor of the European Union, is established.
The United Kingdom officially created its first National Park, the Peak District National Park.
Israeli Knesset chose April 13 as the official Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg are sentenced to death.
The twenty-second amendment to the US Constitution was ratified.
The fast-food chain, Jack in the Box, was founded in San Diego, California.
The first of 126 nuclear tests started at the Nevada Test Site.
The lie detector, invented in 1921 by John Augustus Larson, was first used in the Netherlands.
"Storm of the century" hits eastern U.S.
Battle of Chamdo (Qamdo) ends.
Almost 50,000 Jews were transported to Israel, known as Operation Magic Carpet.
For the first time in history, the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) transmitted a two-hour-long live broadcast from Calais, France, to television screens in the UK.
North Korea sent 75,000 soldiers to invade South Korea, which would start the Korean War.
Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned King of Thailand.
Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discover Californium, a new radioactive element.
The US celebrated its very first National Book Awards.
U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy launches his anti-communist campaign.
East Germany established their infamous State Security Service, otherwise known as the Stasi.
India becomes a republic.
Israel proclaims Jerusalem as its capital.
Indonesia gains independence from the Dutch.
Assassins of MK Gandhi executed in India.
Mao Zedong declared the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
Berlin airlift ends.
A new flag was chosen for the People's Republic of China.
The iconic Hollywoodland sign was changed to just Hollywood as we know it today.
Hindi became the official language of India.
The Ambato earthquake destroyed fifty towns in Ecuador and killed over 6,000 people.
The US launched the first monkey into space aboard a V2 sounding rocket.
The Federal Republic of Germany is established.
The first British-made jet bomber, the English Electric Canberra, made its first test flight.
Ireland becomes an independent republic.
Riots broke out in Iceland when the Icelandic parliament decided to join NATO.
The Soviet Union begins deporting some 90,000 Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians to some of Russia's most inhospitable areas.
Mildred Gillard became the first woman in US history to be convicted of treason.
Automatic street lights first appeared in New Milford, Connecticut, US.
The Knesset, Israel's parliament, convened for the first time.
War of the World's played on the radio, and residents in Quito, Ecuador, believed they were being attacked by Martians.
The first-ever Emmy Awards were presented at the Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles was covered in snow for the first time in recorded history.
The first-ever photograph of genes was taken.
Cinderella, the first full-length ballet by Frederick Ashton with music by Sergei Prokofiev, was first presented at Covent Garden, London, by Sadler's Wells Ballet.
In-N-Out Burger opened its first restaurant in Baldwin Park, Los Angeles, US.
Supreme Court ruled bans on interracial marriage unconstitutional.
Kim Il-sung Establishes North Korea.
A law was passed declaring that the 'Palestinian Pound' could be used as legal tender in Palestine and Israel.
King George VI officially opened the 11th modern-day Olympic Games at the Wembley Arena in London, UK.
South Korea elected Syngman Rhee as their first president.
