The Fabulous Fifties
A Cold War between the US and
the Soviet Union began. American forces intervened in Korea in 1950 to stop the
spread of Communism. School-aged children practiced air-raid drills in case of war.
Many fallout shelters were built during this decade.
Americans were sitting in front of television sets.
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I Love Lucy received top ratings. |
Other forms of entertainment were drive-in movies, bowling, baseball,
tennis, and sports car racing. The New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers were the
greatest rivals ever in baseball history. They played each other in the World Series
four times in the 1950's.
Dr. Seuss wrote The Cat in the Hat, his most famous book for children, in 1957.
Teenagers dressed in t-shirts and blue jeans. They wore bobby socks and saddle
shoes. Penny loafers were also a big fashion trend. Some of the many Rock 'n
Roll artists were Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, and Buddy Holly.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president in 1952. President Eisenhower signed the federal Aid Highway Act. Building the Interstate Highway System was the biggest public works project in our history. |
Important inventions were the transistor radio and the Universal Automatic
Computer (UNIVAC).
Last, but not least, the Hula
Hoop toy was the most popular American toy. In 1958, one hundred million were sold
world wide.
Cars had Fins
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