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Book Burning In Nazi Germany
When Hitler seized power in 1933, more than 20,000 books were burned on May 10, 1933 at the Berlin Opernplatz book burning alone. -
The Cold War
The Cold War was the most important political and diplomatic issue of the later half of the 20th Century. The conflict between the Communist nations led by the Soviet Union and the democratic nations led by the United States. It was fought because of propaganda, economic war, diplomatic haggling and occasional military clashes. -
Peace Treaty ending WWll
Germany and Italy surrendered on May 7, 1945. The war with Germany ended on May 8, 1945. This day was called V-E Day. V-E meant "victory in Europe." The war with Japan ended on August 15, 1945. This day was called V-J Day. V-J meant "victory in Japan." -
Developments and Incidents involving the Atomic Bomb
The U.S tested 20- kiloton atomic bombs at the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The first Rusiian atomic bom is developed. The U.S detonates the first megaton-class hydrogen fusion weapon, which equals 9.4 million metric tons of TNT. -
Development of new technologies
Between 1946 and 1950 the research staff of RCA Laboratories invented the world's first electronic, monochrome compatible, color television system. A successful color television system began commercial broadcasting, first authorized by the FCC on December 17, 1953 based on a system designed by RCA. -
The Hiss Affair
Whittaker Chambers charged Alger Hiss with passing secret state documents to Russia. Chambers said he found microfilmed documents in a hollowed-out pumpkin in his backyard. Hiss was convicted in 1950, imprisioned for five years, and disbarred. He died in 1996, still maintaining innocence. -
Loyalty Oath Controversy at University of California
Arguments about free speech, privacy, and professionalism intensified most publically in CA when faculty at UCLA and UC Berkeley learned that the Regents were about to reuire all faculty member to sign new contracts with oaths disavowing Communist ties. It led to free speech movemnet in the 1960's. -
Blacklisting in the entertainment history
Companies or organizations that are boycotted or considered undesirable for reasons that may be political, social or economic. In the 1950s, people in the U.S were blacklisted for associating with the Communist Party, or with Communist Party members. Most of those who were blacklisted belonged to the entertainment industry, including actors, writers, directors, radio and television broadcasters and musicians. -
Comic Book bans in the 1950's
Comic books were very popular during World War II because of its pro-American themes. However, as the troops came home and society changed, the comics also had to develop new themes and approaches. Many of the graphics of the crime and horror comics that began to hit the newsstands upset parents and critics. Schools and parent groups held public comic-book burnings, and some cities banned comic books. -
Korean War
The soviets and the US decided that Korea should be split into two halves (North Korea and South Korea). The Koreans, wanted to unite into one country. North Korea decided force must be used to unite the two countries. China also entered the war. A cease fire was issued on July 27, 1953, ending it. -
Brown vs. Board of Education, 1951
Oliver Brown, and thirteen other parents tried to enroll their children in the local "white schools" in the summer of 1950, but were turned down because they were African Americans. They were told they must attend one of the four schools in the city for African American children. These parents filed suit against the Topeka Board of Education for their children. After three long years the case finally ended on May 17, 1954. -
Rise of Suburbia/Levittown, PA
William Levitt was America's biggest housebuilder in 1951 when he looked upon a green expanse of woods and spinach farms in bucolic Bucks County, Pa., and dreamed of instant suburbia. His father, brother, and himself formed Levitt & Sons to help people. They bought 2,000 rental homes on Island Trees in May 7, 1947. Levittown, therefore, epitomized suburbia in 20th-century America. -
The McCarthy Hearings
Joesph McCarthy began claiming that many in the State Department, the Pentagon, and acting and writing guilds in Hollywood were disloyal because of ties to the communist party. Even without proof, McCarthy managed to place hundreds of writers , actors, and directors under suspicion and many were fired and could not get employment for many years.
