1951

1951 was a year defined by postwar reconstruction and Cold War tensions, with notable political, economic, and cultural developments around the world. In Europe, the Treaty of Paris established the European Coal and Steel Community, binding six nations to pool coal and steel production and laying groundwork for later European integration. The same year saw changes in Asia and the Pacific as Japan began moving toward sovereignty after World War II, with the San Francisco Peace Treaty signed on September 8, 1951, initiating the end of the Allied occupation and setting the course for Japan’s postwar status.

In the United States and its allies, several events drew international attention. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting presidents to two terms. In March 1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were found guilty of conspiracy to commit espionage in a case symbolizing the era’s fears of nuclear secrets. In April, General Douglas MacArthur was relieved of command during the Korean War, a pivotal moment in U.S. military and political history. Technological advances appeared as well, with UNIVAC I, the first commercially produced computer, delivered to the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951, marking a milestone in computing.

Culturally and sport-wise, the Festival of Britain opened in London as a showcase of postwar recovery and modern design. In motor racing, the 1951 Formula One World Championship was contested, with Juan Manuel Fangio winning the drivers’ title, signaling the rise of a new era in the sport.