WeekInTime Issue 7: Worth his Salk

Salk's polio vaccine is declared effective in 1955

On April 12, 1955, people flooded Rackham Hall at the University of Michigan to hear if America’s long polio nightmare was finally over. The auditorium had a “circus-like” atmosphere. One scientist later wrote: “It was as if four supermarkets were having their premieres on the same day.” And we all know how exciting supermarket premiers are! The results…