May 21
Today In History

Historical Events in 1951

1951 During the Korean Conflict's ongoing saga, the combined military might of China and North Korea has once again seized control of Seoul, marking the second capture of the city.

1951 The Korean War saw the beginning of the Ganghwa massacre, resulting in the tragic slaughter of an estimated 200–1,300 South Korean communist sympathizers.

1951 The Battle of Vĩnh Yên begins in the First Indochina War.

1951 Tragedy struck on January 14, 1951, when National Airlines Flight 83 crashed during landing at Philadelphia International Airport, resulting in seven fatalities.

1951 The catastrophic eruption of Mount Lamington in Papua New Guinea claimed the lives of 2,942 people, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

1951 United Nations Security Council Resolution 90, related to the Korean War, was adopted on January 31, 1951, shaping the international response to the conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

1951 A tragic episode unfolded on February 7, 1951, during the Korean War. Over 700 suspected communist sympathizers fell victim to a massacre by South Korean forces. This somber event serves as a stark reminder of the human toll exacted by the ideological conflicts of the era.

1951 A tragic event unfolds as the 11th Division of the South Korean Army perpetrates the Geochang massacre, resulting in the deaths of 719 unarmed citizens in Geochang, South Korea.

1951 The Battle of Chipyong-ni, a significant engagement in the Korean War, commenced, representing a critical phase in the conflict's timeline.

1951 The first Pan American Games are officially opened in Buenos Aires by Argentine President Juan Perón.

1951 The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, limiting Presidents to two terms, is ratified.

1951 Tragedy struck Minneapolis as Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 307 tragically crashed in Lynnhurst, claiming the lives of 15 individuals. This event left an indelible mark on aviation history.

1951 Operation Ripper marked a significant chapter in the Korean War on this day, as United Nations troops, under General Matthew Ridgway's leadership, launched an assault against Chinese forces.

1951 The political landscape of Iran was marred by tragedy as Prime Minister Ali Razmara was assassinated by Khalil Tahmasebi, a member of the Islamic fundamentalist Fada'iyan-e Islam, inside a Tehran mosque. This event had far-reaching consequences.

1951 The Korean War witnessed a crucial turning point as United Nations troops successfully recaptured Seoul for the second time, altering the course of the conflict.

1951 The nationalization of the Iranian oil industry was a bold step towards economic independence, reshaping Iran's relationship with foreign powers.

1951 Fujiyoshida, Japan, nestled in the heart of Honshū, saw its foundation, a testament to the nation's enduring spirit and growth.

1951 Julius and Ethel Rosenberg find themselves ensnared in a web of espionage conspiracy, leading to their conviction in a pivotal moment in Cold War history.

1951 Copenhagen is gripped by a bizarre and macabre series of hypnosis-induced murders that perplex investigators and capture the public's imagination.

1951 Remington Rand delivered the first UNIVAC I computer to the United States Census Bureau, a monumental step in the history of computing that would revolutionize data processing.

1951 The pages of the Cold War narrative turn grim as Ethel and Julius Rosenberg receive death sentences for their alleged espionage on behalf of the Soviet Union.

1951 The Korean War undergoes a pivotal change as President Truman relieves Douglas MacArthur of his command over American forces in Korea and Japan. This decision carries profound implications for the conflict's direction.

1951 The Stone of Scone, historically used for Scottish monarchs' coronations, is discovered at the site of the altar of Arbroath Abbey. It had been taken by Scottish nationalist students from Westminster Abbey, symbolizing Scotland's desire for independence.

1951 The United Kingdom celebrated a milestone as the Peak District officially became its first National Park, preserving its natural beauty for generations to come.

1951 The Korean War entered a new phase on April 22, 1951, as the Chinese People's Volunteer Army launched an assault on positions defended by the Royal Australian Regiment and Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry at the Battle of Kapyong.

1951 The Cold War tension escalated in 1951 when American journalist William N. Oatis was arrested for espionage by Czechoslovakia's Communist government.

1951 The Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War witnessed assaulting Chinese forces being forced to withdraw after fierce fighting with UN forces, primarily composed of Australian and Canadian troops.

1951 Tibetan delegates embarked on a historic journey to Beijing, where they signed the Seventeen Point Agreement, a pivotal moment in the complex relationship between Tibet and China.

1951 The grandeur of London's cultural scene unfolds as the Royal Festival Hall opens its doors, heralding the Festival of Britain, an event that celebrates the nation's artistic and creative spirit.

1951 In the corridors of power, the United States Senate Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Relations convene closed-door hearings to examine the relief of General Douglas MacArthur, a pivotal moment in American history.

1951 The 400th anniversary of the National University of San Marcos was celebrated with the inauguration of a large-capacity stadium in Peru, honoring a rich history of education.

1951 The Talyllyn Railway in Wales made history on May 14, 1951, when trains ran on its tracks for the first time since preservation, becoming the world's first railway operated by volunteers.

1951 Idlewild Airport in New York City initiates the first regular transatlantic flights to Heathrow Airport in London, marking a milestone in aviation history, courtesy of El Al Israel Airlines.

1951 The Ninth Street Show, also known as the 9th Street Art Exhibition, brought together notable artists and marked a pivotal moment for the post-war New York School avant-garde.

1951 Diplomatic history took an unexpected turn on May 23, 1951, when Tibetans signed the Seventeen Point Agreement with China, setting in motion a series of events that would reshape the destiny of the Tibetan people.

1951 The Uniform Code of Military Justice's implementation reshaped the U.S. Armed Forces' legal framework, ensuring discipline and justice.

1951 UNIVAC I Dedication: The U.S. Census Bureau dedicated UNIVAC I, a groundbreaking computer that played a pivotal role in early computing history.

1951 Oceanic exploration reached new heights in 1951 as the ocean liner SS United States was christened and launched, representing an era of luxurious transatlantic travel.

1951 A courtroom in Czechoslovakia delivered a verdict that reverberated during the Cold War, sentencing American journalist William N. Oatis to ten years in prison on charges of espionage.

1951 A momentous announcement in the world of science and technology as William Shockley unveiled the invention of the junction transistor, a breakthrough that would reshape the electronics industry.

1951 Armistice negotiations began at Kaesong during the Korean War, setting the stage for potential peace talks on the Korean Peninsula.

1951 The world of motorsport experienced a historic moment as Ferrari clinched its first Formula One grand prix victory at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, marking the beginning of a legendary journey in Formula One racing.

1951 The tragic assassination of King Abdullah I of Jordan occurred on July 20, 1951, as he attended Friday prayers in Jerusalem, a momentous event in Middle Eastern history.

1951 The enchanting world of animation experiences a magical premiere in London, England, as Walt Disney's 13th animated film, "Alice in Wonderland," takes its first steps on the silver screen.

1951 Tragedy strikes California as United Air Lines Flight 615 crashes near Decoto, claiming the lives of 50 people in one of the deadliest aviation accidents of its time.

1951 A spectacle of progress and innovation unfolds as the first live transcontinental television broadcast emanates from the Japanese Peace Treaty Conference in San Francisco.

1951 CBS releases the first color televisions for sale to the public, albeit briefly.

1951 The Korean War's First Battle of Maryang San witnesses Commonwealth troops battling communist Chinese forces, shaping the course of the conflict.

1951 Mexican chemist Luis E. Miramontes achieves a groundbreaking feat by synthesizing norethisterone, a pivotal component of early oral contraceptives.

1951 The assassination of the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, in Rawalpindi in 1951, had profound implications for the country's political stability.

1951 The "Johnny Bright incident" casts a spotlight on racial tensions as it unfolds during a football game between the Drake Bulldogs and Oklahoma A&M Aggies, leaving a lasting impact on sports history.

1951 Canada's valiant soldiers from The Royal Canadian Regiment found themselves facing overwhelming odds as they defended a critical area against a full battalion of Chinese troops in the grueling Battle of the Song-gok Spur. The engagement raged on into the early hours of the next day.

1951 The United States embarks on a telecommunication revolution with the introduction of the North American Numbering Plan, enabling coast-to-coast direct-dial telephone service, transforming communication nationwide.

1951 Greek resistance leader Nikos Beloyannis and 11 others received death sentences through a court-martial on this day, highlighting the tumultuous post-war period and resistance against oppressive regimes.

1951 "The American Civil Rights Congress presented a searing indictment, known as ""We Charge Genocide,"" to the United Nations, shining a spotlight on systemic injustices."

1951 The EBR-1 power plant in Arco, Idaho, achieves a historic milestone, becoming the first nuclear facility to illuminate four light bulbs with its electrical prowess.

1951 Libya's declaration of independence and the proclamation of King Idris I reflect the changing tides of colonial rule.

1951 A bomb explodes at the home of Harry T. Moore and Harriette V. S. Moore, early Civil Rights Movement leaders, claiming Harry's life and gravely injuring Harriette.

1951 The conclusion of the Marshall Plan marked the expiration of a transformative aid program that distributed over US$13.3 billion to rebuild Western Europe after World War II.

1951 The Cold War era witnesses a new phase with the commencement of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site through Operation Ranger.

1951 The Canadian Army joins the Korean War, becoming a crucial participant in the international effort to restore peace on the Korean Peninsula.

1951 The tragic derailment of the Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train, known as "The Broker," near Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, claims numerous lives in one of America's worst rail disasters.

1951 The Cold War intensifies as the trial of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, accused of espionage, begins, sparking global intrigue and debate.

1951 Belgium witnesses a transformative moment in its monarchy as King Leopold III abdicates the throne in favor of his son, Baudouin I—a pivotal shift in the nation's regal history.

1951 J.D. Salinger, an enigmatic author, sends shockwaves through the literary world with the publication of his controversial yet immensely popular novel, "The Catcher in the Rye," leaving an indelible imprint on modern literature and culture.

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