1954

1954 is an ordinary year in the Gregorian calendar, the calendar most widely used in the world. The year began on a Friday.

During this period, global politics were dominated by the Cold War—the standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, which fell short of armed conflict. This was also a time of anti-colonial movements across Asia and Africa.

Global political conditions

In Indochina, the year saw the end of the French war against the Vietnamese forces of the Viet Minh. Talks held in Geneva determined that Vietnam would be divided into two parts, which led to prolonged conflict lasting many years.

East Africa and Somalia

During this period, southern Somalia was under Italian United Nations Trusteeship administration, which had been approved by the United Nations in 1950 and was set to end with independence in 1960. Northern Somalia (Somaliland) was under British administration. There were disputes during these years concerning borders and grazing rights with Ethiopia.

Science and society

During the year, progress was made in polio vaccination trials in the United States, and nuclear weapons tests were conducted in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools violated the Constitution.