1954

Facts and Events That Happened in This Year

Dec 23

Dr. Joseph E. Murray performed the first human kidney transplant at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

Nov 30

A meteorite crashed through the roof of an Alabama home and hit a woman taking a nap.

Nov 11

British writer J. R. R. Tolkien, famous for writing The Lord of The Rings fantasy novels, published his second volume of the series, The Two Towers.

Oct 28

Writer Ernest Miller Hemingway won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Oct 27

ABC premiered Walt Disney's first TV show, 'Disneyland.'

Oct 18

Hurricane Hazel hit the American East Coast and became the worst to hit North America.

Sep 30

The US Navy commissioned USS Nautilus, which became the world’s first nuclear submarine.

Sep 29

The musical film 'A Star is Born' with Judy Garland as the leading actress premiered at Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

Aug 31

Hurricane Carol hit Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Aug 16

The first issue of Sports Illustrated magazine is published.

Jul 29

J. R. R. Tolkien published the original 'The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring' novel.

Jul 28

Gangster-drama movie 'On the Waterfront' hit US theaters.

Jul 5

Elvis Presley recorded his debut single, That's All Right.

May 6

British man, Roger Bannister, became the first athlete to run one mile in less than four minutes.

Apr 26

The first major mass trials of polio vaccines began.

Apr 25

Bell Labs demonstrated the first practical silicon solar cell in New Jersey, US.

Apr 12

Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets was recorded.

Mar 26

The US tested the TX-17 thermonuclear bomb for the first time in Bikini Atoll of the Marshall Islands.

Mar 25

The first color TV went on sale.

Mar 20

The first newspaper from a vending machine was bought in Columbia, Pennsylvania.

Feb 23

Polio vaccines were given to the first group of children in the US at Arsenal Elementary School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Feb 18

The first official Church of Scientology opened in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Feb 10

President Eisenhower stepped in to warn the US not to intervene in Vietnam.

Jan 12

Over 50,000 people greeted Queen Elizabeth II as she opened New Zealand Parliament.

Jan 4

Elvis Presley recorded his first demo for 'It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You' and 'I'll Never Stand In Your Way.'