US regulators approve a contraceptive pill

7 April 1948

The annual observance recalls the day the WHO Constitution came into force.

12 April 1955

Investigators reported that the inactivated vaccine had protected participants in a large trial.

12 April 1955

US authorities licensed the vaccine on the day the trial results were presented.

12 April 1955

The announcement opened a new phase of polio immunization, requiring manufacturing and access.

12 April 1955

The findings followed participation by many families, healthcare workers and researchers.

9 May 1960

The FDA approved Enovid for use as an oral contraceptive, expanding control over pregnancy.

9 May 1960

The medicine made hormonal prevention of pregnancy available by prescription.

9 May 1960

The development included trials among women in Puerto Rico and raises questions about consent and power.

9 May 1960

The decision did not guarantee that every woman could obtain contraception or decide freely whether to use it.

3 December 1967

Barnard led a large Groote Schuur Hospital team in the first human-to-human heart transplant.

3 December 1967

The patient was given the heart of Denise Darvall, who had died after a road accident.

Organizations in this Event