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Major Events of November 1955: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from November 1955 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of November 1955: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Nov 1955 Outbreak of Vietnam War: The Vietnam War officially commences with armed conflict between the South Vietnam Army and the North Vietnam Army, with the latter supported by the Viet Cong guerrilla forces. This complex geopolitical struggle would become a defining conflict of the Cold War period, with significant global implications.
  • 02 Nov 1955 Polio Virus Discovery by Clarton-Schwerdt and Schaffer: On November 2, 1955, medical researchers Clarton-Schwerdt and Schaffer made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying key characteristics of the polio virus. This research was crucial in understanding the pathogen and would later contribute to the development of more effective vaccines and treatment strategies.
  • 03 Nov 1955 Political Transition in Brazil: President Café Filho is compelled to resign due to health issues, creating a temporary leadership vacuum. President-elect Juscelino Kubitschek is set to take office the following year, signaling a complex political transition in Brazil.
  • 04 Nov 1955 Vienna State Opera Reopens After World War II: The historic Vienna State Opera was rebuilt and reopened with a symbolic performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's powerful opera 'Fidelio', marking a significant cultural restoration after the devastating destruction of World War II. This event represented not just a musical performance, but a powerful statement of cultural resilience and renewal in post-war Austria.
  • 05 Nov 1955 US Interstate Commerce Desegregation: A significant milestone in the Civil Rights Movement occurred as racial segregation was officially outlawed on trains and buses in interstate commerce across the United States, marking an important step towards racial equality.
  • 06 Nov 1955 11th Ryder Cup Golf Tournament in California: The United States golf team decisively defeated the European team with an 8-4 victory at the Thunderbird Ranch and Country Club in California. This match was part of the prestigious Ryder Cup international golf competition, showcasing the skill and competitive spirit of top golfers from the United States and Europe.
  • 07 Nov 1955 Baltimore Supreme Court Ends Recreational Segregation: In a landmark civil rights decision, the Supreme Court of Baltimore ruled to ban racial segregation in public recreational areas, marking a significant step towards desegregation and equal access to public spaces for African Americans.
  • 09 Nov 1955 French Diplomatic Appointment in Morocco: André Louis Dubois was appointed as the French resident-general in Morocco, representing French colonial administrative interests in the North African territory during the late colonial period.
  • 10 Nov 1955 Major Breakthrough in Polio Research: Dr. Carlton Schwerdt achieved a significant scientific milestone by successfully crystallizing the poliomyelitis virus at the University of California. This breakthrough was crucial in understanding the virus's structure and paved the way for more advanced research into polio prevention and treatment.
  • 11 Nov 1955 Birth of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan: On November 11, 1955, Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born at Dechenchholing Palace in Thimphu, Bhutan. He was the son of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and Queen Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck. Known as the 'Father of Modern Bhutan', he would later become a transformative monarch who modernized the country while preserving its unique cultural heritage and introducing the innovative concept of Gross National Happiness.
  • 12 Nov 1955 First West German Officers Sworn In: On November 12, 1955, the first officers of the newly formed West German military were officially sworn in, marking a significant moment in post-World War II German military reconstruction.
  • 13 Nov 1955 Birth of Whoopi Goldberg: Comedienne and actress Whoopi Goldberg is born in New York City as Caryn Elaine Johnson, who would later become a prominent figure in entertainment and social activism.
  • 14 Nov 1955 World Leaders in 1955: On November 14, 1955, the United States was led by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a World War II hero and two-term Republican president, while the United Kingdom was governed by Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden, a key figure in post-war British politics.
  • 15 Nov 1955 Severe Tornado Outbreak in Mississippi and Ohio Valleys: An unusually intense autumn tornado outbreak struck the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, causing significant destruction. The severe weather event resulted in one fatality, 35 injuries, and approximately $4.665 million in property damages, highlighting the region's vulnerability to extreme meteorological conditions.
  • 16 Nov 1955 Johnny Cash's First Chart Appearance: Johnny Cash made his debut on the music charts with his single 'Cry Cry Cry', launching the legendary country music career of one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
  • 17 Nov 1955 United Airlines Flight 629 Bombing: A devastating terrorist act occurred when Jack Gilbert Graham planted a time bomb in the cargo hold of United Airlines Flight 629, a Douglas DC-6B aircraft. The explosion, which happened over Longmont, Colorado, resulted in the tragic deaths of all 44 passengers and 5 crew members. This incident was a shocking act of premeditated mass murder, later revealed to be motivated by Graham's desire to kill his mother for insurance money.
  • 18 Nov 1955 Bell X-2 Rocket Plane's Historic First Powered Flight: On November 18, 1955, the Bell X-2 rocket plane conducted its inaugural powered flight, marking a significant milestone in aerospace research and experimental aircraft development. This advanced experimental aircraft was designed to explore high-speed and high-altitude flight capabilities, pushing the boundaries of aeronautical engineering during the mid-1950s Cold War era.
  • 19 Nov 1955 First Issue of National Review Published: William F. Buckley Jr.'s influential conservative magazine, National Review, publishes its inaugural issue, marking a significant moment in American political journalism and conservative intellectual discourse.
  • 20 Nov 1955 RCA Signs Elvis Presley: RCA Records offers Elvis Presley a significant recording contract worth $35,000, marking a pivotal moment in the young musician's emerging career and the early days of rock and roll.
  • 21 Nov 1955 KTVO Television Channel 3 Launches in Iowa: KTVO TV channel 3, an ABC affiliate, commenced broadcasting in the Ottumwa-Kirksville metropolitan area of Iowa, expanding local media and entertainment options for residents in the region.
  • 22 Nov 1955 Soviet Union Detonates RDS-37 Hydrogen Bomb: The Soviet Union successfully tested the RDS-37, a powerful 1.6 megaton two-stage hydrogen bomb designed by renowned physicist Andrei Sakharov. The test was conducted at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site in Kazakhstan, marking a significant milestone in the Soviet nuclear weapons program during the Cold War.
  • 23 Nov 1955 Transfer of Cocos Islands from UK to Australia: On November 23, 1955, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands were officially transferred from British colonial control to Australian administration. Located in the Indian Ocean, these strategically positioned islands marked a significant moment in post-colonial territorial transitions. The transfer represented a diplomatic and administrative shift, reflecting the evolving geopolitical relationships between the United Kingdom and its former colonial territories in the mid-20th century.
  • 24 Nov 1955 Thanksgiving Day in the United States: Annual national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, commemorating the harvest and blessings of the past year. Traditionally marked by family gatherings, festive meals featuring turkey, and expressions of gratitude.
  • 25 Nov 1955 Interstate Transportation Desegregation Ruling: The United States Supreme Court effectively prohibited racial segregation on interstate trains and buses, marking a significant milestone in the Civil Rights Movement. This ruling challenged the long-standing discriminatory practices that had forced African Americans to use separate and often inferior transportation facilities.
  • 26 Nov 1955 Rosa Parks Refuses to Give Up Bus Seat: In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks courageously defies segregation laws by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, leading to her arrest and sparking the pivotal Montgomery bus boycott, a landmark moment in the American Civil Rights Movement.
  • 27 Nov 1955 Bill Nye Born: Bill Nye, renowned American science presenter and public television host, was born on November 27, 1955. Nye would later become a prominent science communicator, known for making complex scientific concepts accessible to the general public through engaging television programs.
  • 28 Nov 1955 Landmark Australian Theatre Premiere: Ray Lawler's groundbreaking play 'Summer of the Seventeenth Doll' receives its stage premiere by the Union Theatre Repertory Company in Melbourne, with the playwright himself performing. This production is considered the first authentically naturalistic modern drama in Australian theatre, marking a significant cultural milestone.
  • 29 Nov 1955 Experimental Breeder Reactor I Partial Meltdown: A significant nuclear safety incident occurs at the Experimental Breeder Reactor I near Arco, Idaho, where a partial meltdown of the reactor core happens during a critical coolant flow test, highlighting early challenges in nuclear reactor technology.
  • 30 Nov 1955 Argentine Government Disbands Peronist Party: In a significant political move, the Argentine government officially disbanded the Peronist Party, marking a crucial moment in the country's political transformation following the military coup that ousted President Juan Perón.