On this day

May 12, 1955

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

Historical Context for May 12, 1955

In 1955, the world population was approximately 2,740,213,792 people[†]

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Headlines from May 12, 1955

EISENHOWER SEES POLIO'S EARLY END WITH SALK SHOTS; Speculates a 'Great Pressure' May Have Made Experts 'Short-Cut a Little Bit' RECHECK TESTING BEGUN Inoculated Cases Rise to 62 -- Congressional Criticism of Mrs. Hobby Mounts PRESIDENT VISIONS POLIO'S EARLY END

By William M. Blairspecial To the New York Times

Eisenhower affirms Govt responsibility to take leadership, confident that Salk vaccine will wipe out polio within a measurable time, news conf; says great pressure to make it available quickly caused scientists to take 'short cuts'; says only question about vaccine is the method of mfr; awaits repts; says Scheele's decision to temporarily halt inoculations was med, not pol; holds no child will be deprived of vaccine because of inability to pay; says he has not heard of a '49 'information' against Cutter on Food and Drug Act violation; White House eliminates this from official transcript; Cutter aide silent; 1st Govt recheck on mfr started at Parke-Davis; PHS repts of confirmed cases of polio among vaccinees at 62; 51 had Cutter, 10 Libby, 1 Wyeth vaccine; geog breakdown; Scheele delays appearance before House com, citing pressure of work on rept for Hobby to be submitted to Pres; Repr Multer to ask com to vote on resolution urging Eisenhower order Hobby to appear; Repr Vanik scores Hobby and Scheele; sees cover-up for dereliction; Repr Fogarty urges Cong act; Sen Hill offers bill to give Pres power to establish priorities and buy vaccine if necessary to promote fair distribution; Sen Kefauver offers bill to authorize Surgeon Gen to set up priorities for children, permit establishment of a fair price and allocate supplies to states; Pres photographed with Hobby; glad grandson was inoculated

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