Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
Jan
15
Jan
27
Mar
29
In one of the most sensational trials in American history, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are convicted of espionage for their role in passing atomic secrets to the Soviets during and after World War II. The husband and wife were later sentenced to death and were executed in 1953.
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg sitting in a police van after being convicted of espionage.
Bettmann Archive
Apr
11
In perhaps the most famous civilian-military confrontation in the history of the United States, President Harry S. Truman relieves General Douglas MacArthur of command of the U.S. forces in Korea. The firing of MacArthur set off a brief uproar among the American public, but Truman remained committed to keeping the conflict in Korea a “limited war.”
Douglas Macarthur, left, and President Harry Truman, right
Bettmann Archives/Getty Images
Jul
08
On July 8, 1951, Paris, the capital city of France, celebrates turning 2,000 years old. In fact, a few more candles would’ve technically been required on the birthday cake, as the City of Lights was most likely founded around 250 B.C.
FRANCE - 1888: Construction of the Eiffel Tower. Paris, July, 1888. Photograph Henri Roger. (Photo by Roger Viollet via Getty Images)
Roger Viollet via Getty Images
Oct
24
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