May 1955

Monday 02:

Tennessee Williams wins the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Thursday 05:

West Germany gains full sovereignty.

Monday 09:

Cold War: West Germany joins NATO.

Saturday 14:

Cold War: Eight communist bloc countries, including the Soviet Union, sign a mutual defence treaty called the Warsaw Pact.

Sunday 15:

First ascent of Makalu, the world's fifth highest mountain.

Wednesday 25:

Kanchenjunga, third highest peak in the world is scaled successfully for the first time.