1957

The year 1957 was significant in global history, particularly marked by the start of the Space Age. The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 on October 4, the first artificial satellite, which spurred the U.S. to accelerate its own space efforts, leading to the space race. Additionally, 1957 saw decolonization in Africa and Asia, with several nations gaining independence. In the U.S., the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum, highlighted by events like the integration of Little Rock Central High School. These developments in technology, politics, and civil rights shaped much of the latter half of the 20th century.