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Happy Day
A government they believed was growing dangerously powerful, and a lifestyle they believed was fundamentally repressed. And much of America was still segregated. But the 1950s were indeed fabulous. -
Suburban Growth
The American Dream became a reality. Within their reach was the chance to have a house on their own land, a car, a dog, and 2.3 kids. -
McCarthy Wheeling Speech/McCarthyism
McCarthy launched his first salvo. He proclaimed that he was aware of 205 card-carrying members of the Communist Party who worked for the United States Department of State. -
Sugar Ray Robinson
One of the greatest boxers of all time, who held the world welterweight title from 1946 to 1951.
Also prompted sportswriters to create boxing's "pound for pound" rankings. -
Land Of Telvision
The first coast-to-coast live show. The foundations for the modern television newscast were established as early as 1951 with EDWARD R. MURROW's SEE IT NOW, -
NFL Pro Bowl
NFL Pro Bowl was the second annual all-star game which featured the league's outstanding performers from the 1951 season. NFL Pro Bowl: National Conference beats American Conference 30-13. -
Konrad Adenauer Assassination
A package addressed to Chancellor Adenauer exploded in the Munich Police Headquarters, killing one police officer. Two boys who had been paid to send this package by mail had brought it to the attention of the police. -
Harry Truman Hydrogen Bonds
Made the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan. Succeeded as US President on the death of FDR. -
Ted Williams
'The Kid' Williams played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox as a left fielder and remains one of the game's greatest ever hitters. service in the Korean War he still managed to play until the age of 42 before becoming a manager for the Texas Rangers. -
Elvis Presley
One of the most influential and best selling recording artists of the 20th century. Helped establish the emerging Rock and Roll sound, incorporating blues and gospel influences. -
Robert Oppenheimer
He is among the persons who are often called the "father of the atomic bomb" for their role in the Manhattan Project, the World War II project that developed the first nuclear weapons. -
Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson became the first African American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1955. In the United States she was invited by President Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor to perform at the White House, the first African American ever to receive this honor. -
Maurice Richard
Ice Hockey Player. Maurice "Rocket" Richard becomes the 1st NHLer to score 50 goals. Maurice Richard is suspended for the remainder of the season, riots break out in Montreal. 37 people are injured and over 100 are arrested. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower & WWII General
1st President to appear on color TV. His two terms were peaceful ones for the most part and saw considerable economic prosperity. -
Emmett Till
Emmett Louis Till was an African-American teenager who was murdered in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly flirting with a white woman. -
Vietnam War Era Began
The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, and also known in Vietnam as Resistance War Against America or simply the American War, was a Cold War-era proxy war that occurred in Vietnam. -
Civil Rights Era Began
The African-American Civil Rights Movement or 1960s Civil Rights Movement encompasses social movements in the United States whose goals were to end racial segregation and discrimination against black. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
King’s home in the city of Montgomery in Alabama was bombed by opponents of his work during boycotts against racist acts in the Deep South. -
Pres. Eisenhower 2nd Term
President Eisenhower announces he would seek a 2nd term. Eisenhower was the first president to serve with three Congresses controlled by the opposition party. -
Ted Lindsay
NHL Players Association forms (NYC), Red Wings' Ted Lindsay elected president. He won the Stanley Cup four times, and helped establish the NHLPA in the late 1950s. -
Dred Scott
Their owner appealed, the case going to the Supreme Court which ruling in 1857 that as of African descent they did not have the right to be citizens and so to freedom. Centenary of Dred Scott slavery court decision marked by rediscovery of Scott's grave. -
First Satellite In Space
Explorer 1 was the United States' first satellite in space. The 1958 launch of the satellite — twice the size of a basketball — was an important moment for the country, as the Space Race with the Soviet Union was just beginning. -
Ted Williams
Ted Williams signs with Red Sox for $135,000, making him highest paid. -
Fulgencio Batista
Cuban Dictator Fulgencio Batista flees Cuba for the Dominican Republic. Batista gained power as a brutal, controlling dictator. -
John Singleton
John Singleton, director (Boyz n The Hood), born in Los Angeles, California. -
Buddy Holly
Although only 22 when he died in a plane crash Buddy Holly remains one of the most influential rock and roll musicians. "The Day the Music Died" plane crash kills musicians Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, J. P. Richardson and pilot near Clear Lake Iowa. -
Jonh F. Kenndy
US Democratic convention nominates JFK as presidential candidate. -
John F. Kenndey
US President JFK signs law for equal pay for equal work for men & women. -
John F. Kennedy Assassination
American President John F. Kennedy assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas. The Civil rights Movement in the US and the Space Race. -
Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson
Johnson became the 36th US President (1963-1969) after the assassination of President Kennedy after previously serving as Vice President. Pursued a legislative programme called the 'Great Society' which included the Civil Rights and Immigration Acts -
Malcolm X Shot Dead
Rights activist Malcolm X is shot dead by Nation of Islam followers at Audubon Ballroom in New . -
Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich becomes 1st to score 3,000 college basketball points. Considered perhaps the greatest creative offensive talent in history -
John Lennon
John Lennon releases "Rock 'n' Roll" album. Founding member of The Rock and roll group "The Beatles" and who with Paul McCartney formed a hugely successful and influential song writing partnership. -
Jimmy Carter 39th Pres.
39th President of the United States (1877-1981). He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. -
Guillermo Vilas
68th Australian Men Tennis: Guillermo Vilas beat John Sadri (76 63 62) -
HIV/AIDS
The first recognised cases of AIDS occurred in the USA in the early 1980s (more about this period can be found on our History of AIDS page). A number of gay men in New York and California suddenly began to develop rare opportunistic infections and cancers that seemed stubbornly resistant to any treatment. -
Pop Star Madonna
Influential pop singer and actress, known for her ability to reinvent herself. Dominated the 1980s pop scene after releasing her album 'Like a Virgin' Has gone on to sell more than 300 million records worldwide. -
Michael Tyson
Michael Tyson is a former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles at 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old. -
Nelson Mandela
South African President de Klerk announces Nelson Mandela will be freed on Feb 11th. Often referred to as the father of the nation by South Africans, Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist and politician who served 27 years in prison.
