On this day

December 18, 1954

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Headlines from December 18, 1954

MANHOLE LIDS FLY IN. BLAST IN BRONX; 30-Block Area Is Rocked, Windows Broken, 7 Hurt by Sewer Explosion Sewer Blast Scatters 50 Manhole Covers in Bronx Sewer Blast Rips Area in Bronx, Sends 50 Manhole Covers Flying

By Unknown Author

7 hurt when sewer explosion throws manhole covers over 30-block area, Jerome-Inwood Avs from 165th to 175th Sts; Inwood-Mt Eden Avs sidewalk raised; property damage reptd; illus; gasoline seepage from commercial garages blamed

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PRESIDENT VOICES PLEA TO NEUTRALS; He Questions Validity of Their Stand -- Opens Christmas Pageant of Peace PRESIDENT VOICES PLEA TO NEUTRALS

By Bess Furmanspecial To the New York Times

Eisenhower broadcasts message at White House ceremony opening Washington Pageant of Peace

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TEST VOTE ASKED BY MENDES-FRANCE AFTER A SETBACK; Confidence Ballot in Assembly Set for Monday -- Indochina Budget Draws Rebuff Mendes-France Asks Test Vote After Setback on Indochina Fund

By Lansing Warrenspecial To the New York Times

Mendes-France asks confidence vote on Indochina budget

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STRAUSS 'REGRETS' DIXON-YATES PACT INVOLVES A. E. C.; Deplores It Is Not Negotiated Directly Between T. V. A. and Power Companies BUT DEFENDS CONTRACT In Press Conference He Says He Sees No Further Big Expansion in the Area STRAUSS 'REGRETS' A.E.C. IN CONTRACT

By Elie Abelspecial To the New York Times

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- The Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission said today that he had only one regret about the Dixon-Yates power contract.

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Early' 55 Models Boom Car Sales; Buying Rush Is Biggest Since War; EARLY '55 MODELS BOOM AUTO SALES

By Foster Haileyspecial To the New York Times

DETROIT, Dec. 17 -- The auto industry is expecting a Merry Christmas.

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Notable Births

1954John Booth, English race car driver^[†]

John Alfred Booth is the former Director of Racing at Scuderia Toro Rosso. He is the former team principal of the Virgin/Marussia Formula One team. He was initially the team's sporting director, but took over the role of team principal from Alex Tai less than one month after the team's launch.

1954Ray Liotta, American actor (died 2022)^[†]

Raymond Allen Liotta was an American actor. He first gained attention for his role in the film Something Wild (1986), which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination. He was best known for his portrayals of Shoeless Joe Jackson in the film Field of Dreams (1989), Henry Hill in the film Goodfellas (1990), and Tommy Vercetti in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002). Liotta appeared in numerous other films, including Unlawful Entry (1992), Cop Land (1997), Hannibal (2001), John Q., Narc, Identity (2003), Killing Them Softly, The Place Beyond the Pines, and Marriage Story (2019).

1954Willi Wülbeck, German runner^[†]

Wilhelm "Willi" Wülbeck is a retired German middle-distance runner. Competing in the 800 m he finished fourth at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He missed the 1980 Moscow Olympics due to the West German boycott and could not participate in the 1984 Summer Olympics because of an injury. He also finished eighth at the 1974 and 1982 European Championships.

Historical Context for December 18, 1954

In 1954, the world population was approximately 2,685,894,860 people^[†]