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1950s ‑ This Day In History

The 1950s were a decade marked by the post-World War II boom, the dawn of the Cold War and the civil rights movement in the United States. At this time the U.S. economy was booming and more (mostly white) Americans could afford new cars, suburban houses and other consumer goods. But the 1950s also saw great conflict and division, from the nascent civil rights movement to the crusade against communism at home and abroad in the Korean War.

1958

American Express launches its first credit card

1950s
1947

Christian Dior launches his scandalizing “New Look” postwar fashions

1950s
1953

Lucille Ball gives birth on TV—and in real life

1950s
1956

This Day in History Video: What Happened on December 22

1950s
1954

This Day in History Video: What Happened on September 30

1950s

This Day in History Video: What Happened on August 21

1950s

This Day in History Video: What Happened on September 19

1950s

This Day in History Video: What Happened on January 23

1950s

This Day in History Video: What Happened on October 21

1950s

This Day in History Video: What Happened on December 20

1950s
1959

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper” die in a plane crash

1950s
1954

USS Nautilus—world’s first nuclear submarine—is commissioned

1950s
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