previous year1949
1950195119521953195419551956195719581959
1960next year

Major Events of May 1957: 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 May 1957 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of May 1957: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1957 Larry King's First Radio Broadcast: Legendary broadcaster Larry King made his first radio broadcast, marking the beginning of a remarkable media career that would span decades and establish him as one of the most iconic talk show hosts in American broadcasting history.
  • 02 May 1957 South African National Anthem Change: On May 2, 1957, 'Die Stem van Suid-Afrika', a poem written by Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven, officially became the national anthem of South Africa. This marked a symbolic moment in the country's political history, replacing 'God Save the Queen' as the primary anthem, though the British royal anthem was retained in a secondary capacity.
  • 03 May 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers Relocate to Los Angeles: Walter O'Malley, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, finalizes the historic decision to relocate the baseball team from Brooklyn, New York, to Los Angeles, California. This move would dramatically reshape Major League Baseball's geographic landscape and significantly impact the sports culture of both cities.
  • 04 May 1957 Anne Frank Foundation Established: The Anne Frank Foundation was formally established in Amsterdam, Netherlands, dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who became a symbol of resilience during the Holocaust through her famous diary.
  • 05 May 1957 General Treaty Recognizes West German Sovereignty: The General Treaty came into effect, formally recognizing the sovereignty of West Germany by France, Britain, and the United States. This landmark agreement marked a critical milestone in post-war European geopolitics, signaling West Germany's reintegration into the international community and effectively ending the Allied occupation.
  • 06 May 1957 John F. Kennedy Wins Pulitzer Prize: John F. Kennedy is awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his book 'Profiles in Courage', a work that highlights political courage and integrity of several U.S. senators throughout history, further establishing his reputation as an intellectual and future political leader.
  • 07 May 1957 Tragic Baseball Injury: Herb Score Hit by Line Drive: During a baseball game, Cleveland Indians pitcher Herb Score suffered a severe facial injury when struck by a line drive hit by New York Yankees player Gil McDougald. This incident was a significant moment in baseball history, potentially altering Score's promising career.
  • 08 May 1957 Ngo Dinh Diem's State Visit to the United States: South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem embarked on a significant state visit to the United States, meeting with key American political leaders to discuss support for his anti-communist regime during the early stages of the Cold War. As the primary sponsor of South Vietnam, the United States sought to strengthen diplomatic ties and provide strategic backing against potential communist expansion in Southeast Asia.
  • 09 May 1957 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific significant historical events were documented for May 9, 1957, this date falls within the mid-20th century, a period marked by significant global transformations including the Cold War, decolonization, and technological advancements. The absence of notable recorded events does not diminish the ongoing historical processes of the time.
  • 10 May 1957 Cameroon's Legislative Assembly First Meeting: The first meeting of the legislative assembly of Cameroon took place, marking a significant milestone in the country's path towards self-governance and political independence during the late colonial period.
  • 11 May 1957 Gabriel Paris Forms Colombian Government: On May 11, 1957, Gabriel Paris was appointed to form a new government in Colombia during a critical period of political transition. This occurred in the context of the National Front era, a power-sharing agreement between the Liberal and Conservative parties aimed at ending decades of political conflict and violence known as 'La Violencia'.
  • 12 May 1957 Death of Erich von Stroheim: Erich von Stroheim, a renowned Austrian-American actor and filmmaker famous for his role in the classic film 'Grand Illusion', passed away at the age of 71. Known for his distinctive acting style and significant contributions to early cinema, von Stroheim was a pivotal figure in the development of film as an art form.
  • 13 May 1957 Claudie AndrĂ©-Deshays: French Cosmonaut: Claudie AndrĂ©-Deshays, a notable French cosmonaut who later flew on the Soyuz TM-24 mission, was born on this date. She would become one of France's prominent space explorers, contributing to international space research and collaboration.
  • 14 May 1957 New Girl in Town Musical Opens in NYC: Bob Merrill's musical 'New Girl in Town', starring Gwen Verdon and Thelma Ritter, opens at the 46th Street Theater in New York City. The production will run for 432 performances and go on to win two Tony Awards, marking a significant moment in Broadway theater history.
  • 15 May 1957 Britain's First Hydrogen Bomb Test: On May 15, 1957, the United Kingdom conducted its first hydrogen bomb test over Christmas Island as part of Operation Grapple, marking a significant milestone in the nation's nuclear weapons development during the Cold War era.
  • 16 May 1957 Paul-Henri Spaak Becomes NATO Secretary General: Paul-Henri Spaak, a prominent Belgian politician, was appointed as the new Secretary General of NATO, signifying an important leadership transition in the international defense organization during the Cold War period.
  • 17 May 1957 Brown v. Board of Education School Desegregation Law: A landmark Supreme Court decision that declared state-mandated segregation of public schools unconstitutional, marking a critical turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and challenging the 'separate but equal' doctrine.
  • 18 May 1957 Lionel Shriver Born: Lionel Shriver, a renowned author and journalist, was born on May 18, 1957. She would later become known for her provocative and critically acclaimed novels, including 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'.
  • 19 May 1957 Devastating US Central Plains Tornado Outbreak: On May 19, 1957, a massive tornado outbreak struck the US Central Plains, with an unprecedented 59 tornadoes reported across a wide region stretching from Colorado to the Mississippi Valley. The most catastrophic tornado was rated F5 on the Fujita scale, representing the most extreme and destructive category of tornado with wind speeds exceeding 261 mph, causing extensive damage and likely significant loss of life.
  • 20 May 1957 Unremarkable Day in 1957: While no specific significant historical events were documented for May 20, 1957, this date falls within the mid-20th century Cold War era, a period of significant global tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. During this time, technological advancements, political maneuvering, and social changes were rapidly transforming the world.
  • 21 May 1957 French Government of Mollet Resigns: The government led by Prime Minister Guy Mollet of France collapsed, marking a significant political transition in the Fourth Republic era. This resignation reflected the ongoing political instability characteristic of French politics during the late 1950s.
  • 22 May 1957 Accidental Hydrogen Bomb Drop at Kirtland AFB: On May 22, 1957, a potentially catastrophic incident occurred when a B-36 bomber accidentally dropped the largest U.S. hydrogen bomb, the Mk 17, at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. A snagged control cable caused the unintended release, but fortunately, the aircraft's safety systems prevented a disaster.
  • 23 May 1957 No Significant Historical Record: No verifiable historical event was found for May 23, 1957, based on available sources. This date appears to lack a notable documented occurrence.
  • 24 May 1957 Colombia Earthquake: A significant seismic event struck Colombia, causing potential damage and disruption to local communities. The earthquake's precise magnitude and impact details require further historical verification.
  • 25 May 1957 White House Disarmament Commission Memorandum: A significant diplomatic document was prepared by the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Disarmament Commission, synthesizing policy recommendations from earlier meetings. The memorandum, drafted by Robert Cutler and approved by the President, consolidated various diplomatic discussions and policy positions regarding international disarmament efforts during the Cold War era.
  • 26 May 1957 Taipei Anti-American Riots: Significant anti-American protests erupted in Taipei, Taiwan, reflecting rising tensions in the region during the Cold War era. These riots highlighted the complex geopolitical dynamics between the United States, Taiwan, and China, showcasing the volatile political climate of the time.
  • 27 May 1957 CHUM-AM Launches Rock n' Roll Format: Toronto's CHUM-AM radio station (1050 kHz) made broadcasting history by becoming Canada's first radio station to exclusively play top 40 Rock n' Roll music, marking a significant moment in Canadian music and radio broadcasting.
  • 28 May 1957 Operation Plumbbob Nuclear Test: The U.S. conducts the Boltzmann shot during Operation Plumbbob, testing a lightweight 'boosted' nuclear warhead with a yield of 12 kilotons, demonstrating advanced nuclear weapon technology.
  • 29 May 1957 Algerian Rebel Violence: During the Algerian War of Independence, rebels executed 336 individuals deemed as collaborators with French colonial authorities. This event underscores the brutal nature of the conflict and the intense struggle for Algerian independence.
  • 30 May 1957 Rohan Kanhai's Test Cricket Debut: Rohan Kanhai, a legendary West Indian cricketer, made his Test Cricket debut against England at Edgbaston, marking the beginning of a remarkable international cricket career.
  • 31 May 1957 British Nuclear Test at Christmas Island: On May 31, 1957, Great Britain conducted a significant atmospheric nuclear weapons test at Christmas Island (now Kiritimati) in the Pacific Ocean. This test was part of the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons development program during the Cold War era, demonstrating Britain's emerging nuclear capabilities.