Have you ever noticed a small, circular scar on someone's upper left arm? Maybe you even have one yourself. It turns out that there's a fascinating reason behind the presence of this scar, and it harkens back to events that unfolded many decades ago.
Back in the 1600s, outbreaks of smallpox wreaked havoc, often claiming the lives of entire communities. Thankfully, in 1796, the first smallpox vaccine was developed, leading to a significant decline in the frequency of outbreaks. By 1952, health officials declared smallpox eradicated in the United States. However, vaccination programs continued until the early 1970s.