Daily Survival Guide

Today in Survival History
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On this day in 1955, Dr. Thomas Francis announced the success of the Salk Polio Vaccine Trials--an effective vaccine against polio had been found. Dr. Jonas Salk had spent five years developing the vaccine at the University of Pittsburgh and almost a year conducting field trials in 44 states. With this announcement, people across the country rejoiced in the breakthrough in the fight against one of the most devastating diseases of that time. The vaccine was quickly distributed throughout the United States, and by 1957 the incidence of polio had fallen by 85 to 90 percent. On April 22, 1955, Dr. Salk and the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (known today as the March of Dimes) received special citations from President Eisenhower.