Rainier III marries Grace Kelly. The wedding celebrations for the Prince of Monaco and the glamorous U.S. actress were broadcast around the world and enthused the population of war-torn Europe.

The European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor of the European Union, is established. The Treaty of Paris was signed by France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Ireland becomes an independent republic. Six counties in the northern part of the island remained in the Commonwealth, leading to a decades-long ethno-nationalist conflict that culminated in The Troubles.

A massive earthquake destroys San Francisco. About 3000 people died in the disaster. Over 80 percent of the city was destroyed by the quake and resulting fires.

Construction of the current St. Peter's Basilica begins. St. Peter's in Vatican City is one of the world's most important Catholic sites.