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Rock-and-Roll Era
Rock-and-Roll became the most popular genre of music for teens in the 1950s. It was a style of music based on black rhythm and blues. It was something that let this generation be who they wanted and be a little rebelious. Many of their parents greatly disliked this stlyle of music though. -
Credit Card
It all started in 1950 when a man named Frank McNamara was out at a diner and forgot hsi wallet. This was when he got the idea that there should be an alternative to cash. He went back to the diner and told them about his idea and they loved it. Within a couple of months they issued 20,000 of these cards. About a decade later the idea evolved and became the plastic card that we have today and can be used to charge things. -
DNA
In January of 1953 Francis Crick and James Watson discovered what is now accepted as the first correct double-helix model of DNA structure. With the help of many other scientist, these two were the ones who got the credit for the discovery of DNA and are who we have to thank for the model we use today. -
Polio Vaccine
On March 26, 1953, American medical researcher Dr. Jonas Salk announces on a national radio show that he has successfully tested a vaccine against polio. In the upcoming years he would continue to test on people and announce his results. Dr. Salk, probably the greatest doctor of his time, is who we have to thank for this vaccine. -
First Climb to Mount Everest
On the morning of May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the top of Mt. Everest. This is the highest mountain in the world and they were the first two poeple to reach the sommet of the mountain. -
Color Televisions
On Decemebr 30, 1953 the first color televisions went on sale. Although color programs were already introduced a few years before this, this is the first time they went on sale and became available to everyone. Althought they did not become popular for many years. Mostly everyhouse hold was just buying the standard blakc and white television. -
School Segregation banned
On May 17, 1954 the United States Supreme Court made a significant decision. The courts unanimous decision overturned a decision made in the 1896 Plessy V. Ferguson case, which had allowed for "seperate but equal" public facilities. The Brown V. Board decision helped break the back of state-sponsored segregation, and provided a spark to the American civil rights movement. -
Baby Boom Peak Year
1930 through 1960 was a time period known as the baby boom. It was a time when there were record high births set. This was do to all of the soldiers returning home and celebratin and having children. The baby boom peaked in 1957 with 4,308,000 births. -
NASA
NASA which stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration was founded on July 29 1958. This was the Americans' response to fear of Soviet technology being superior to their own. NASA was created as an independent agency
dedicated to space exploration. -
Yankees Era
Throughout the 1950s, The New York Yankees made it to the world series 8 times and won 6 of those times. Coached by Joe McCarthy in all of these wins. This victorious team was led by players like center fielder Mickey Mantle, pitcher Whitey Ford, and catcher Yogi Berra. They became an icon for the Yankees franchise.
