The event that sparked a significant change in U.S. policy towards relations with the USSR was the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union in 1957. This marked the beginning of the space race and instigated a sense of urgency in American scientific and military capabilities. The U.S. government recognized the need to enhance its technological and educational systems, leading to increased investment in science education, research, and development. This moment also signaled a shift towards more aggressive containment policies in foreign relations, as the U.S. feared the implications of Soviet advancements in technology and its potential impact on global power dynamics, leading to heightened tensions during the Cold War.