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The 1950s
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Colored TV
On January 12th, 1950, the general public was introduced to colored television for the very first time when CBS featured 8 different colored TVs. -
Diner Club issues the first credit card
The Diner credit card was released in Feburary of 1950 by businessman Frank McNamara so you did not have to bring your wallet to dinner. -
Korean War begins
The Korean war was a war between North Korea and South Korea. The war began on June 25, 1950 when North Korea and South Korea. -
The Organic Act of Guam
The Organic Act of Guam was a federal legislation that re designated the island of Guam as an unincorporated territory of the US. -
First Peanuts Comic
The first Peanut comic strip, written by Charles M. Schulz appeared in seven newspapers on October 2, 1950 where Charlie Brown was shown walking with two other young children, Shermy and Patty. -
First Birth Control Pill
The first birth control pill was developed by Carl Djerassi in 1951. It was the first contraceptive. -
President Truman removes Gen. Douglas MacArthur as head of U.S. Far East Command
Truman relieves MacArthur due to controversial claims. -
Disney's Alice in Wonderland
Walt Disney's 13th animated feature film "Alice in Wonderland" is released during July. Disney had been trying to create the film adaptation of the classic Lewis Carroll novel since the 1930s but was unhappy with it until after the end of World War II. -
"I Love Lucy" First premired
The classic television show I Love Lucy premired on October 15th, 1951. The show starred goofy Lucille Ball playing Lucy Ricardo and Desi Arnaz as Lucy's husband, Ricky. The show revolved around Lucy's comedic antics. -
The Building of the New Jersey Turnpike
With the increased sales of the automobile, the New Jersey turnpike was built to increase transportation methods and was officially open for traffic in November 1951. -
Mr. Potato Head first sold
The popular Mr. Potato head is first sold during May of 1952. The toy consisted of little plastic goofy faces and body pieces meant to be placed on real vegetables. -
Corvette Prototype
The first Chevrolet corvette prototype was first finished in December of 1952 by Harley J. Earl. -
Charlie Chaplin refused back in US
Charlie Chaplin refused entry back into America after living in Hollywood for 20 years -
Diplomatic relations
While running for President of the United States, Senator Robert Taft suggests that the United States consider breaking diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union -
Hollywood Johnny Garfield Dead
The celebrated Hollywood actor John Garfield, 39, is dead. He had been called before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, had refused to name names and had been blacklisted by the Studios. He was suffering from heart problems and stress. -
Hank Williams dead
Country singer Hank Williams Sr. (29) died of a drug and alcohol overdose. -
First record to top Billboard charts
Rock and roll music enters the mainstream, with "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets becoming the first record to top the Billboard pop charts. -
Polio Vaccine
On March 26, 1953 Dr. Jonas Stalk went on CBS radio to announce the polio vaccine for polio. He worked on it for 3 years before it was finally announced to the public. -
Double Helix DNA model discovered
The description of a double helix DNA molecule is published by British physicist Francis Crick and American scientist James D. Watson. They, along with New Zealand born scientist Maurice Wilkins, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery in 1962 -
North Korea and China sign an agreement
Fighting ceases in the Korean War. The United Nations Command, including the United States, and the combatants North Korea and the Republic of China sign an armistice agreement -
US attempts to overthrow Iranian government
The United States CIA assists in the overthrow of the government in Iran, and retains the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to the throne -
SEATO Alliance
The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was an international organization for collective defense in Southeast Asia created by the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, or Manila Pact, signed in September 1954 in Manila, Philippines. -
Elvis Presley records a 10 minute demo in Nashville
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Eisenhower reports detonation of H-Bomb
President Eisenhower reports detonation of 1st H-bomb (done in 1952) -
Brown v. Board of Education
A landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court ruled that American state laws establishing racial segregation in public schools are unconstitutional, even if the segregated schools are otherwise equal in quality -
Atomic Energy Act
President Eisenhower signs the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, opening the way for development of a civilian nuclear power program -
1st African American in the opera
Marian Anderson becomes the 1st African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera -
1st TV presidental confrence
1st presidential news conference filmed for TV (Eisenhower) -
Elvis 1st TV appearance
Elvis Presley makes his 1st TV appearance on a broadcast of radio show "Louisiana Hayride -
Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California
Disneyland is the only theme park built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney.Walt Disney came up with the concept of Disneyland after visiting various amusement parks with his daughters in the 1930s and 1940s. -
James Dean dies
Rebel Without a Cause star passes away, his premature death in a car crash cemented his legendary status. -
Rosa Parks Arrested
On the evening of December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, an African American, was arrested for disobeying an Alabama law requiring black passengers to relinquish seats to white passengers when the bus was full. -
Elvis' First Million Selling Single
Heartbreak Hotel" single released by Elvis Presley, his first million-selling single -
The Searchers is released
The Searchers" American western film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Natalie Wood is released -
Rocky Marciano retires
Undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano, retires from the ring -
Dr Albert Sabin discovers oral polio vaccine
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Race separation on bus ruled unconstitutional
US Supreme court rules race separation on buses in Alabama unconstitutional -
Smoking was connected to lung cancer
US Surgeon General Leroy Burney connects smoking with lung cancer -
The Little Rock Nine
President Dwight D. Eisenhower orders US troops to support integration of nine black students at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas -
Sputnik I launched
Soviet Union launches Sputnik I, the 1st artificial Earth satellite into elliptical low Earth orbit -
1st Animal in Orbit, Laika!
USSR launches Sputnik 2 with a dog (Laika), 1st animal in orbit -
Nuclear Power Plant generates electricity
World's 1st full scale nuclear power plant for only peacetime use begins to generate electricity, at the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania -
Ted Williams Highest paid player
Future Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Ted Williams becomes highest paid player in MLB when he re-signs with Boston Red Sox for $135,000 -
Khrushchev becomes First Secretary of the Communist party
Nikita Khrushchev becomes Soviet Premier as well as First Secretary of the Communist Party -
NASA Established
United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law, creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, commonly referred to as NASA. -
1st color video recording
1st color video recording on magnetic tape presented, Charlotte, North Carolina -
1st radio broadcast from space
1st radio broadcast from space, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower Christmas message "to all mankind, America's wish for peace on Earth and goodwill to men everywhere" -
Alaska admitted as 49th US state
Alaska is finally admitted as the 49th state with a 64-20 vote -
Buddy Holly releases last record before his death
Buddy Holly releases his last record "It Doesn't Matter"; he was killed in a plane crash 29 days later -
Sleeping Beauty released
Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" released -
Buddy Holly last performance
Buddy Holly made his last performance -
Hawaii 50th state
US President Eisenhower signs the Hawaii Admission Act into law and Hawaii becomes the 50th state in the United States of America
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