What are some facts about the history of the 1950's?

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The end of World War II had a tremendous impact on the culture of America all throughout the 50s. With new hope and the chance to start a new life with a family, home and other luxuries, the 1950s were a time of prosperity and enjoyment of pastimes. Discover what life was like from 1950-1959 by exploring the art, music, fashion and other aspects of American culture during this time period.

Events & Technology

The 1950s were a great year for monumental events and movements. Starting in 1952, the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1952 ended any discrimination against ethnicities when becoming a US Citizen. In 1954, racial segregation was ruled unconstitutional. The Rosa Parks famous bus incident took place in 1955. In 1958, Explorer 1 became the first US satellite to orbit the earth. The United States became 50s states, with Alaska and Hawaii rounding out the bunch. For more information on events and technology in the 50s, visit these wonderful resources:

• The First Credit Card


• Money and Technology in the 50s


• Rosa Parks


• Explorer 1


• Civil Rights in the 1950s


• Dwight D. Eisenhower


• NASA


• Federal Highway Act

Art & Architecture

Art and architecture in the 1950s took on a whole new shape. Experimental artists started the abstract expressionism movement in the 1950s. Many influential artists came from this time period, including Jackson Pollock, Ad Reinhardt, Clyfford Still and Andy Warhol. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright forever changed the way people around the world viewed buildings. View the monumental pieces of art and architecture, as well as learn more with the resources below:

• Abstract Expressionism


• Rebel Painters of the 1950s


• Jackson Pollock


• Frank Lloyd Wright


• Ad Reinhardt


• 1950s Architecture


• Andy Warhol


• American Architecture in the 50s

Books & Literature

With the Korean Conflict underway, and the Cold War taking prominence in the media, Americans in the 1950s were facing a time of paranoia and anxiety. Books and Literature during this time period reflected the mood of Americans. Science Fiction became a prominent genre in the world of literature, and books articulating the unknown became very popular. Authors such as J.D. Salinger, John Steinbeck, Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller were brought to the spotlight in the world of literature and plays. Find out more information here:

• Literature in the 1950s


• Best Selling Books of the 1950s


• American Writers of the 50s


• 1950s Literature


• John Steinbeck


• Arthur Miller


• Comic Books of the 1950s

Education

With the dawning of the Civil Rights movement, education in the 1950s was often times dramatic. Separate but equal laws were in place during this time, but rulings such as the Brown v. the Board of Education changed all of this. With the threat of the Cold War, practices such as duck and cover were widely practiced across the US. The education system changed tremendouly during the 1950s. Find out more information through the resources below:

• Brown v. Board of Education


• Duck and Cover


• Rulings in Brown v. Board of Education


• Separate But Equal


• Time Line of Education in the 50s


• Why Can't Johnny Read


• Little Rock Central High School

Fashion and Fads

The 50s set a precedent for fashion and icons. Designers such as Dior and Chanel brought conservative glamour to the everyday woman. Cinched waist dresses, clean patterns, and high heels was the staple for women. Men wore the ever popular "gray flannel suit" to work each day. Icons such as Marilyn Monroe and James Dean influenced the way teens dressed and behaved. Rock and Roll music became popular during this time, influencing social scenes amongst Americans. Diners and drive-ins became a popular pastime. Read more below:

• Fashion in the 1950s


• 50s Fashion


• Clothing in the 50s


• Teenage Fashion


• Fads of the 1950s


• 5 Fads from the 50s


• Drive ins


• Fashion Fads 1950s


• 50s Fads and Fashion


• Fads of the 50s

Music

The 50s brought America a lot of memorable events, but rock and roll is arguably one of the best off springs of the 50s. It is debated that one of the first rock and roll songs was "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets. Icons such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens were all products of the 50s. New forms of recording were introduced. Records became a standard for musical enjoyment. Doo Wop was another form of music that became very popular during this era. Read more about the music and the artists who topped the charts in the 50s below:

• Bill Haley and the Comets


• Elvis Presley


• Buddy Holly and the Crickets


• Richie Valens


• 1950s Music


• Doo Wop in the 50s


• Rock and Roll


• Music of the 50s


• Music in the 50s


• 100 Greatest Rock Song of the 50s

Television

The standardization of televisions in changed the culture of the 50s. Watching television shows as a family became a nightly ritual. Popular television shows such as I Love Lucy, Father Knows Best, Bonanza, and the Ed Sullivan show were staples in family households. The effect of the media on American culture was beginning to become clear; advertisers capitalized on this new form of media. Here is more information:

• Classic 50s TV Shows


• Television Commercials from the 50s


• Best Television Shows of the 50s


• TV History 1950-1959


• Television in the 1950s


• 1950 in Television


• Timeline of Television 1950

Theater & Film

During the 1950s, many plays and films were written that still have made a lasting impression to this day. Plays such as A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and South Pacific transcend time periods. Movie stars such as Betty Grable, Marlon Brando, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and many more were made icons of the silver screen. Films such as Rebel Without a Cause, 12 Angry Men, Ben Hur, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and An American in Paris are all landmark films from this time period. Directors such as Alfred Hitchcock became well known names. The Science Fiction genre became popular in both movies and books. American culture of the 1950s was heavily influenced by what people saw and heard through the media. Read more below:

• Science Fiction Cinema


• Betty Grable


• Marilyn Monroe


• Marlon Brando


• Film History of the 1950s


• American Films of the 1950s


• 1950s in Film


• Movie Stars of the 50s


• Superstars of the 1950s Movies


• Entertainment of the 50s


• Hollywood in the 50s

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Get more facts and information about The 1950s: The Arts: Publications from American Decades at Encyclopedia.com.