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Book burning in Nazi Germany
The German government ordered "un-German" books to be destroyed. Books by authors such as Karl Marx, Helen Keller, and H.G. Wells were burned. -
Trinity
"Trinity" was the code name for the first official test of the atomic bomb. Research into nuclear weapons had begun in 1939. -
Cold War
The Cold War refers to the tension mainly between the United States and the Soviet Union in the years following World War II. The Berlin Crisis of 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis were aided by the Cold War. -
Peace Treaty ending WWII
The Paris Peace Treaties officially ended World War II. Countries involved in the treaty included Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland, Romania, Italy, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. -
Blacklisting in the entertainment industry
The Hollywood Blacklist began when ten directors and writers refused to give testimony to the House Committee on Un-American Activities. This resulted in much of Hollywood refusing to hire these people. -
Hiss Affair
The Hiss Affair refers to the accusation and trials involving Alger Hiss. Hiss was accused of being a Soviet spy, and was ultimately found guilty. -
Loyal Oath Controvery at University of California
University of California employees were required to sign a form pledging their allegiance to the state constitution and denying involvment in any Communist organizations. Employees who refused to sign were dismissed, causing controversy. -
Korean War
The Korean War was a war between South Korea and North Korea following the split of Korea after World War II. The United Nations supported South Korea and The Republic of China supported North Korea. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Thirteen parents of students living in Topeka, Kansas, filed a suit against their Board of Education, advocating for desegregated schools. The decision ruled in favor of the parents. -
Construction of Levittown begins
Levittown is consider America's first "suburb". It was the first development built to be a self-sustaining community. -
First colorcast
The first colorcast, or broadcast in color, was the Tournament of Roses Parade. Color television did not become popular until the mid 1960s. -
McCarthy Hearings
Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed in 1950 to have a list of people whom the State Department considered Communists. McCarthy was exposed during the trial and his political career was subsequently ruined. -
Comic book bans in the 1950s
In September of 1954, the Comics Magazine Association of America was formed to regulate gore, violence, and sexuality in the comic book industry. Although the CMAA had no official control over the banning of books, many publishers followed their influence.
