Brink's robbery in Boston; almost $3 million stolen (Jan. 17).

Truman orders development of hydrogen bomb (Jan. 31).

Robert Schuman proposes Schuman Plan to pool European coal and steel (May 9).

Korean War begins when North Korean Communist forces invade South Korea (June 25). (For detailed chronology, see Korean War.)

Assassination attempt on President Truman by Puerto Rican nationalists (Nov. 1).

McCarthyism begins.