On December 9, 1979, a commission of scientists declared that
smallpox had been eradicated. The disease, which carries around
a 30 percent chance of death for those who contract it, is the only infectious disease afflicting humans that has officially been
eradicated.    
    
Recent research indicates that the smallpox virus may have evolved
as late as 1580 CE.

Dr. Donald A. Henderson (1928-2016) was the epidemiologist
who led the international war on smallpox that resulted
in its eradication.

A self-described “disease detective,” Dr. Henderson being
vaccinated for smallpox.

MIKE GRACIA

In a televised speech of extraordinary gravity, President John F.
Kennedy announces on October 22, 1962 that U.S. spy planes 
discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba. These missile sites—
under construction but nearing completion—housed medium-
range missiles capable of striking a number of major cities in
the United States, including Washington, D.C.

Kennedy announced that he was ordering a naval “quarantine”
of Cuba to prevent Soviet ships from transporting any more
offensive weapons to the island and explained that the United
States would not tolerate the existence of the missile sites
currently in place. The president made it clear that America
would not stop short of military action to end what he called a “clandestine, reckless and provocative threat to world peace.”

Mary Lou Retton is ‘fighting for her life’ as she battles a rare
form of pneumonia. She was unable to breathe on own and
is in ICU.

Retton, 55, won five medals in the 1984 Games, including
two silver medals for team and vault and two bronze
medals in the uneven bars and floor exercise.

Seattle, WA policemen wearing face masks during the
influenza epidemic.  

The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 was a quick burning,
destructive, and chaotic flu that wiped out a large swath
of the world’s population. People were told to wear masks
but in many instances some just straight up refused. It was
all due to the lack of accurate folks research into the illness. 

Historian John Barry explained that during the flu of 1918
there was an extreme amount of disinformation going
around: The press did not treat the 1918 flu seriously
during the outbreak, for reasons that are very different
than today.

Warehouses were converted to house the infected people quarantined.

On December 9, 1979, a commission of scientists declared that
smallpox had been eradicated. The disease, which carries around
a 30 percent chance of death for those who contract it, is the only infectious disease afflicting humans that has officially been
eradicated.

The World Health Organization in 1979.