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Major Events of October 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 October 1955 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

  • 01 Oct 1955 Establishment of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region: The People's Republic of China formally establishes the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, a significant administrative reorganization in northwestern China that grants a degree of regional autonomy to the Uyghur ethnic minority.
  • 02 Oct 1955 ENIAC Computer Deactivation: The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), one of the first general-purpose electronic computers, is deactivated at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, after continuous operation since 1947. This marks the end of an era in early computing technology.
  • 03 Oct 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Win World Series: The Brooklyn Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 2-0 in Game 7, winning their first and only World Series before relocating to Los Angeles, a momentous occasion for the team and its fans.
  • 04 Oct 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Win Historic World Series: The Brooklyn Dodgers won their first and only World Series title in Brooklyn by defeating the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the 1955 World Series. The final out was recorded when Elston Howard grounded to Dodgers shortstop Pee Wee Reese, who threw to first baseman Gil Hodges for the third out, sealing a 2-0 win. This victory was a landmark moment in baseball history.
  • 05 Oct 1955 Disneyland Hotel Opens in Anaheim: The Disneyland Hotel officially opened to the public on October 5, 1955, in Anaheim, California. This landmark hotel was part of Walt Disney's ambitious vision to create a comprehensive entertainment destination, strategically located near the newly opened Disneyland theme park. The hotel would become an iconic part of the Disney resort experience, offering guests convenient accommodations and immersive Disney-themed hospitality.
  • 06 Oct 1955 LSD Criminalized in the United States: On October 6, 1955, the United States government officially made lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) illegal, marking a significant moment in drug policy and regulation. This decision came amid growing concerns about the potential psychological and social risks associated with the hallucinogenic substance, which had been discovered by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1943.
  • 07 Oct 1955 Yo-Yo Ma Born in Paris: Yo-Yo Ma, the world-renowned Chinese-American cellist, was born in Paris, France. Ma would go on to become one of the most celebrated classical musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries, known for his exceptional musical versatility and cross-cultural collaborations.
  • 08 Oct 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Win Historic World Series: The Brooklyn Dodgers secured their first World Series championship, defeating the New York Yankees 4 games to 3. Pitcher Johnny Podres was named Series MVP, marking a pivotal moment in baseball history.
  • 09 Oct 1955 Death of Theodor Cardinal Innitzer: Theodor Cardinal Innitzer, a prominent Austrian Catholic archbishop, passed away at the age of 80. Known for his significant role in the Catholic Church during the mid-20th century, Innitzer was an influential religious leader in Austria during a tumultuous period of European history.
  • 10 Oct 1955 Columbus Day: Commemorating European Contact with the Americas: Columbus Day honors the historic arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492, marking the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the Western Hemisphere. The holiday recognizes the complex historical significance of Columbus's voyages, which initiated sustained contact between Europe and the Americas.
  • 11 Oct 1955 Introduction of 70mm Film Technology: The theatrical release of 'Oklahoma!' marked a significant technological milestone in cinema, introducing the 70-mm film projection format, which dramatically improved visual quality and cinematic experience.
  • 12 Oct 1955 Maritime Collision off Vigo Coast: On October 12, 1955, a tragic maritime accident occurred off the coast of Vigo, Spain, when the Spanish coaster Conde de Barbate collided with the French vessel Columbie. The collision resulted in the complete sinking of the Conde de Barbate and the devastating loss of its entire five-member crew. This incident highlights the inherent risks of maritime navigation during the mid-20th century, particularly in busy shipping lanes along the Iberian Peninsula.
  • 13 Oct 1955 Death of Manuel Ávila Camacho: Manuel Ávila Camacho, former President of Mexico from 1940 to 1946, passed away at the age of 58. A significant political figure who led Mexico during World War II, he was known for his moderate policies and efforts to modernize the country.
  • 14 Oct 1955 United Nations Charter Ratification: The United Nations Charter officially comes into effect after being ratified by the required number of countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, establishing the foundational framework for international cooperation and diplomacy.
  • 15 Oct 1955 China's Agricultural Cooperative Transformation: The Chinese Communist Party initiated a significant agricultural policy shift, accelerating the transition from private farmland ownership to collective 'agricultural producers' cooperatives. This marked a crucial phase in China's socialist land reform, fundamentally restructuring rural economic and social organization.
  • 16 Oct 1955 Boeing 367-80 Sets Transcontinental Speed Record: The Boeing 367-80 prototype, which would later become the iconic Boeing 707, completed a groundbreaking transcontinental flight across the United States in an impressive record time of 3 hours and 58 minutes. This achievement was a significant milestone in aviation history, demonstrating the potential of jet-powered commercial aircraft and setting the stage for the modern era of rapid air travel.
  • 17 Oct 1955 Dimitrios Maximos, Greek Banker and Politician, Dies: Dimitrios Maximos, an influential Greek banker and political figure, passes away at the age of 82, leaving behind a significant legacy in Greece's financial and political landscape of the mid-20th century.
  • 18 Oct 1955 University of California Discovers Antiproton: Scientists at the University of California made a significant breakthrough in particle physics by discovering the antiproton, a fundamental subatomic particle that is the antimatter counterpart of the proton, marking a major advancement in understanding particle physics and matter-antimatter interactions.
  • 19 Oct 1955 First Eurovision Song Contest Approved: The General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union officially approved the staging of the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest, a landmark event in European cultural broadcasting that would go on to become one of the most watched non-sporting television events in the world.
  • 20 Oct 1955 Publication of The Return of the King: J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Return of the King', the final volume of the groundbreaking 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, was published by George Allen and Unwin in London, completing one of the most influential fantasy works of the 20th century.
  • 21 Oct 1955 Rosa Parks Refuses to Give Up Bus Seat: Rosa Parks, an African American civil rights activist, was arrested on this day for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. Her act of civil disobedience became a pivotal moment in the American Civil Rights Movement, challenging the segregation laws of the time and sparking widespread protest.
  • 22 Oct 1955 Fort Macquarie Tram Depot Closes: The Fort Macquarie Tram Depot in Sydney, Australia, is closed. This historic site would later become the location for the iconic Sydney Opera House, marking a significant urban transformation.
  • 23 Oct 1955 Establishment of the Republic of Vietnam: Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm successfully conducted a referendum that effectively ended the monarchy, defeating former emperor Bảo Đại and establishing the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). This pivotal political transition marked a significant moment in Vietnamese political history during the Cold War era.
  • 24 Oct 1955 Launch of MV Essex Ferry Train Ferry: On October 24, 1955, the train ferry MV Essex Ferry was ceremonially launched at the port of Harwich in the United Kingdom. This maritime vessel was designed to transport railway carriages and locomotives across water, facilitating more efficient transportation of rail equipment between different coastal regions. Train ferries like the Essex Ferry played a crucial role in maritime logistics and transportation infrastructure during the mid-20th century.
  • 25 Oct 1955 Austria Regains Full Sovereignty: Austria officially resumed its full national sovereignty after the departure of the last Allied occupation forces, marking the end of a 17-year period of foreign control since the German annexation in 1938.
  • 26 Oct 1955 Ngo Dinh Diem Establishes Republic of Vietnam: Ngo Dinh Diem proclaims Vietnam a republic, establishing himself as the first president. This marks a significant political transition following the State of Vietnam referendum on October 23, 1955, and sets the stage for the formation of South Vietnam.
  • 27 Oct 1955 Release of 'Rebel Without a Cause': The iconic film 'Rebel Without a Cause,' starring James Dean, was released in the United States, marking a significant moment in American cinema and youth culture of the 1950s.
  • 28 Oct 1955 Bill Gates Born: William Henry Gates III, better known as Bill Gates, was born on October 28, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. He would go on to become a pioneering entrepreneur, co-founding Microsoft Corporation and revolutionizing personal computing, ultimately becoming one of the most influential technological innovators of the 20th century.
  • 29 Oct 1955 Devastating Soviet Naval Disaster in Sevastopol: The Soviet battleship Novorossiysk explodes while moored in Sevastopol Bay, resulting in a catastrophic loss of 608 lives. This incident represents the Soviet Union's most significant naval tragedy of the period.
  • 30 Oct 1955 Founding of Yad Rambam Moshav: The moshav of Yad Rambam was established in central Israel, contributing to the ongoing development and agricultural settlement of the young state. Moshavim were cooperative agricultural communities that played a crucial role in Israel's early nation-building efforts.
  • 31 Oct 1955 Royal Romance Ends: Princess Margaret Declines Marriage to Peter Townsend: Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, officially announces her decision not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend, concluding a highly publicized and controversial romantic relationship. This decision was influenced by complex royal protocols, religious restrictions, and potential constitutional implications, effectively ending years of intense media speculation.