1950

The Korean War (1950-1953), the first major United Nations military action, claimed the lives of more than 50,000 Americans. U.S. and other UN forces fought to oppose the invasion of South Korea by Communist troops.

"I Love Lucy" (1951-1957) was one of the most popular shows in TV history. Lucille Ball starred as a zany housewife trying to break into show business. Her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, co-starred as her bandleader husband.

With Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954), the U.S. Supreme Court declared racial separation in public education unconstitutional. The ruling initiated the beginning of mandatory integration of public schools.

The Cat in the Hat (1957) was written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel). This masterpiece uses repeated syllables, rhythmic verse, and fanciful drawings to teach children to read and to use their imaginations.

With postwar prosperity, the blossoming of suburbia, and the national love for cars and movies, drive-in theaters were natural attractions for new American families. Teenage couples found privacy, and sometimes watched the movie.

Responding to the growing popularity of TV, film studios began producing 3-D movies. Wearing glasses with gray Polaroid® lenses, viewers were startled by images that leapt off the screen.

Polio epidemics peaked in the ’50s, with almost 58,000 new cases in 1952 alone. A vaccine developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, and federally approved in April 1955, helped control the spread of the disease when it was administered nationwide.

With roots in rhythm and blues, country and western, and gospel, rock ’n’ roll crossed racial lines. Some adults found the rhythms rebellious and threatening, but the lyrics and loud music appealed directly to teenagers.

Boxer Rocky Marciano, the "Brockton Blockbuster," held the world heavyweight title from September 1952 to April 1956, defending his crown six times. He is the only professional heavyweight boxing champion to retire undefeated.

Stock cars, modified versions of ordinary passenger cars, attracted drivers and fans alike. The 1950s witnessed a boom in stock car racing and the first Daytona 500® was held in 1959.

Cars of the ’50s were large and ornate. Automakers attracted buyers with annual styling changes. Tail fins, dazzling grilles, chrome trim, and hardtop convertibles were popular, as were big V-8 engines and three-toned paint jobs.

Teenagers defined their own ’50s fashion look. Girls chose skirts and sweaters, bobby socks and saddle shoes, or, for leisure, blue jeans. Boys liked white T-shirts, V-necked sweaters, jeans, and loafers, white bucks, or black boots.

The 1951 National League pennant race was decided in a best-of-three games playoff. The New York Giants™ beat the Brooklyn Dodgers™ when, in the ninth inning of the third game, Bobby Thomson hit a three-run homer.

The first successful U.S. Earth satellite, Explorer 1, was launched January 31, 1958. The second, Vanguard 1, was launched March 17, 1958. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was formally established October 1, 1958.

Between 1949 and 1956, the New York Yankees™ and their crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers™ , met five times in the World Series™ : 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956. The Dodgers won once, in 1955.