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1950´s Timeline
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The great Brinks Robbery
On January 17th, at just the start of 1950 was the first major robbery involving an armored vehicle. The vehicle was burglarized by 11 men at Great Brinks armored vehicle Depot in a well coordinated and well- planned robbery. The men used Halloween masks as disguises and stole $2.7 million. One of the men were caught for another crime and threatened to cooperate with the FBI. 2 of the men died before facing trial and the remaining 8 were sentenced to life in prison. -
President Truman receives the NSC- 68 report about the Cold War
In April of 1950, president Harry Truman received a completed report about the Cold War and how to approach it with the Soviet Union. Some of the main results that came were aggressive military expansion and build up of Nuclear weaponry. Both the U.S and the Soviet Union feared one would nuke the other but it never actually happened. This would go on to influence U.S policy in the war for the next twenty years -
The Korean War
The Korean War began when communist North Korea invaded Capitalist South Korea. This War had many battles and even the U.S (siding with the South) and China (siding with the North) were involved. This event in history took a heavy toll on the U.S including heavy casualties, military segregation, etc. The country was already divided after World War ll ended, but a full on civil war happened when North Korea launched an invasion of the South. The sides stayed divided after the Korean War. -
President Truman signs the Organic Act of Guam
In August of 1950, President Harry Truman signed the Organic Act of Guam. This ac named the island U.S territory and granted the people of Guam U.S citizenship. The act also gave a small amount of autonomy. This act also marked the first time in 300 years the island would have colonialism with self governance. -
First Peanuts Comic Strip
On October 2nd, 1950 the first Peanuts Comic Strip was invented. It involved Charlie Brown and this comic was shown in 7 different newspapers. Charles Schultz created this comic. This became a huge hit as it turned into a tv show cartoon, books, films, and merchandise. The comics were a fixture of pop culture until February of 2000, when the last comic was released a day after Charles Schultz's death -
Nevada Nuclear Testing
In 1951, The U.S military started experimenting and testing nuclear weapons in a testing site in Nevada and testing nukes on islands 65 miles away. They were away from the people because of health problems that happened. The government eventually moved the test sites underground to prevent potential hazards to the people. -
22nd amendment is ratified
In February, 1951 the 22nd amendment of the Constitution was ratified. This amendment limited the number of terms a president can serve to 2, making a total of 8 years. It was formally proposed by Congress on March 24, 1947 and was not ratified until February 27, 1951. -
Operation Greenhouse
The United States performed the first thermonuclear test with Operation Greenhouse. The blast was named ¨ George¨. The test was conducted at Enewetak Atoll. The U.S would eventually go on to create a thermonuclear hydrogen bomb in Operation Ivy. -
Disney´s ¨ Alice in Wonderland¨ is released
Alice in Wonderland, Walt Disney´s 13th animated film was released to theaters in the 1950´s. Disney was trying to make an attempt to create an adaption of the classic novel by Lewis Carroll since the 1930´s but was unsatisfied with it until after the end of World War ll. When the film was finally released, it was considered a flop and received negative reviews from film critics. But it soon became a cult favorite and was re released in the 1970´s and received much more favorable reviews. -
¨I Love Lucy¨ debuts on CBS
In the 1950´s the popular TV show, called ¨ I Love Lucy¨ premiered on CBS. This show was one of the first scripted series on television revolving around a funny family and goofy landlords. It was a huge hit and was also nominated for and won many Emmy awards. The show ended in 1957. -
Treaty of San Francisco
Known as the peace treaty with Japan, this would define the relationship between the U.S and Japan after WW2. The treaty formally put an end to the state of war between the Allies and Japan. the Soviet Union and China objected but nearly all of the Allied powers signed the treaty. -
Mr. Potato Head
In 1952, the toy Mr. Potato head was first invented and sold in May. Before becoming pure plastic like it is today, the toy was first consisted of silly plastic faces meant to be put on a real potato. The creator of the toy, George Lerner thought that this would be a great way to show kids that vegetables are good for you. -
Polio outbreak kills 3300
in 1952, a polio outbreak started and killed 3300 people. president FDR founded the March of Dimes foundation and funded 2 research centers which developed 2 cures to combat the virus. -
California Earthquake
In 1952, the state of California had it's second largest earthquake rocking 100,000 square miles. It was rated at a 7.3 on MMS ( Moment Magnitude Scale). This was the second strongest earthquake to occur in California since the San francisco quake in 1906. -
The first hydrogen bomb
In 1952, the United states tested the first hydrogen bomb in the Pacific ocean during November. The blast nicknamed " Mike" was dropped on the island Elugelab in Enewetak Atoll as a part of Operation Ivy. The entire island was destroyed in the blast which was equivalent to10 million tons of TNT. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower inaugurated as president
In 1953, elected president Dwight D. Eisenhower takes office. He was of the Republican Party. His presidency lasted from January 1953, until January 1961. -
Polio vaccine developed.
In 1953, the first polio vaccine was developed through research. The researchers performed Trial tests that indicted the vaccine was 80% - 90% effective. This put an end to the polio epidemic once and for all. -
Korean War ends
in 1953, the Korean War finally ended after 3 long years of violence and fighting. The demilitarized zone was developed and a conference to discuss the future of Korea was set to take place, however, the conference never came to pass. -
Earl Warren appointed to U.S Supreme Court
In 1953, a man named Earl Warren is appointed as chief justice of the United States Supreme Court by president Eisenhower on October 5th. Warren was previously a 3 term governor of California in 1948. He was the Republican candidate for vice president and was involved in many Supreme Court decisions. -
first color television sets go on sale
The very first color television sets go on sale in 1953. This allowed people to see their favorite programs in color. This was very popular and most TV programs are in color today. Even in stores today color televisions are mostly sold. -
McCarthyism
in 1954, Senator Joe McCarthy was on a hunt for communists. This was also an event in America to be remembered. McCarthy was eventually censured, which put an end to his communist hunt. -
Operation Wetback
During the summer of 1954, a law enforcement immigration campaign called ¨ Operation Wetback¨ was taken into effect. This operation resulted the mass deportation of Mexican nationalists. about 1.1 million Mexicans were deported. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
In 1954, the Supreme Court gave ruling on a case that would make segregation in public schools illegal. The courts eventually stated that segregation in schools violates the 14th amendment of the constitution. This gave a message saying the court will not tolerate state mandated segregation anymore. -
Vietnam lost
In 1954, the first Indo - China war ended in Vietnam after France gave up Vietnam to communists. Sections in Vietnam were resisting French occupation. Eventually, the United States gives military aid to France and it ends in huge failure. America ended up paying most of the war cost. -
Ellis Island
all throughout the 1950´s, immigrants from countries all over the world would move to America to avoid poverty or other bad things in their home country. Some immigrants passed the immigration and medical tests while others failed and were sent back to their home country. The island was also a detention center for aliens and deportees. -
Peter Pan musical broadcast live
In 1955, the Broadway musical Peter Pan was performed on live television. People could see the musical at home on TV the same way people see it performed on a stage -
Salk´s Polio vaccine
in 1955, it was announced to the world that Jonas Salk´s vaccine for Polio was safe and highly effective in preventing the virus. Salk began development in 1952 and trials began in 1954. By 1957, the vaccine was widely developed. -
the $64,000 question debuts
In June of 1955 popular game show the $64,000 question debuted on CBS and was based on the radio show Take it or Leave it. Contestants on the show always had vast knowledge in a specific area such as spelling or Shakespeare. The success of this show was short lived and only lasted for 3 years. -
Disney Land opens its doors
in 1955, Disney Land theme park and resort opened in California. This place would go on to be known as the happiest place on earth. The park still exists today. -
Rosa Parks arrested
in 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested by police for challenging bus segregation laws. She was asked by the bus driver to move to the back so a white person could sit in the seat but she refused to leave her seat. Authorities arrived and she was taken into custody. This event would lead to the eventual boycott of the bus system. -
Federal Aid Highway Act
in 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower enacted into law the construction of 41,000 miles of highway across the United States. It was the largest project to be undertaken by the government in history. Estimated cost was 25 to 30 billion dollars to build. -
Republican- Democrat National conventions
In 1956, the Republican and Democrat national conventions were held in August to determine candidates for the 1956 election. The Republicans chose President Eisenhower to run for office. The Democrats chose Adlai Stevenson to run for office. Nixon won the election. -
first computer hard drive
in 1956, the very first computer hard drive was invented in the form of a machine which weighed about a ton. This could help people store files that they have and keep them safe on their drive. -
The Ten commandments
in 1956, the epic film " The Ten Commandments" was released. It was filmed on location in Egypt. At the time of its creation, it was the most expensive film to ever be made. -
Browder vs Gayle
In November of 1956, the Supreme Court ruled on the Browder vs Gayle case. This stated that segregation on buses and public transport was considered unconstitutional. the case also concluded the Boycott of the bus system. -
Martin Luther King Jr heads resistance against segregation
In 1957, Martin Luther King Jr leads a resistance to fight against segregation and racial discrimination in the U.S. These were non violent protests that lead to African Americans o have the same rights as white citizens. -
First Frisbee goes on sale
Invented in 1957, a new toy, the Frisbee goes on sale as a kids toy. This toy is still used today by kids and even adults of modern day. The Frisbee's original name was the Flying Disc but was later changed. -
Peak of the Baby Boom
1957 was the final year of the baby boom. The Baby Boom was a point in time when men were returning home from war with the dream of starting big families with their spouses. The end of the 1950s and start of the 1960s ends the Baby Boom -
Final episode of I Love Lucy
In 1957, the very final episode of the TV show I Love Lucy was haired. The show was popular all throughout the entire decade of the 1950's. The show had a total of 6 seasons before it was officially over. -
Vanguard TV3 Satellite launch
In 1957, The United States attempted to launch its first satellite using a vanguard TV3 rocket. This mission was failed. It also put the Soviet Union ahead of America in the Space Race. -
Explorer 1 satellite launched
In 1958, The United States launched the explorer 1 satellite. It was the first satellite the U.S successfully launched into space using a Jupiter C rocket. it was used to measure radiation around the earth. -
The Microchip
In 1958, the invention of the microchip is developed in Texas. This piece of equipment is the start to modern technology after a working model was produced. This leads to more use in our computers today to store data. -
President Eisenhower signs the Rives and Harbors Flood control Bill
President Dwight D Eisenhower signed into law the Rivers and Harbors Flood control Bill in 1958. This bill would control the flooding that Rivers and Harbors cause certain residential areas and prevention lines should this happen. These measures stated by the bill are effective so no one can be injured in a flood. -
U.S unemployment reaches 5.2 million
in 1958, the unemployment rate in the U.S reached 5.2 million, a rise of over 7%. This was a lot of Americans without a job. Without work, men could not support themselves or their families. -
NASA created
In 1958, NASA was founded and created. This space program developed in the United States was signed into law through the National Astronautics and Space by President Dwight D Eisenhower. Nasa still exists today. -
Alaska becomes the 49th state
In 1959, Alaska becomes the 49th state in the United States. President Eisenhower signs a special proclamation claiming Alaska into the Union as the 49th and largest state, which it is today. -
Launch of the Pioneer 4 spacecraft
In March of 1959, Nasa launched the Pioneer 4 spacecraft. This was the first spacecraft to successfully exit the earth's orbit. IT traveled within 37,000 miles of the moon and had cameras that would take photos of the surface. -
The Labor Reform Act
In 1959, the new Labor Reform Act was signed to control Union powers. It was to control how unions could pay their employees, relationships with employers, and control with internal affairs. -
Hawaii becomes the 50th state
In August of 1959, Hawaii became the 50th and final state in America to join the Union. The islands have a long history. American Sugar growers created a coup to overthrow the queen and create the Republic of Hawaii. After that, Hawaii became U.S territory. -
Unemployment rate drops to 1.4 million
In 1959, there was a significant drop in the unemployment rate in the U.S. In 1958, the unemployment rate was 5.2 million. But then in 1959, the rate dropped to only 1.4 million. This helped the U.S economy grow more now that many more Americans had jobs.
