Decade: 1950-1959
Learn more about life in America in the 1950s. Topics include the Korean War, rock ‘n’ roll, color televisions, fashion, Explorer 1, and scientific achievements. Includes maps, timelines, and a quiz.
Grades
- 4,
- 5,
- 6,
- 7,
- 8,
- 9,
- 10,
- 11,
- 12
Links
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Governments
This is a map of the governments, politics, and people who ruled the world in the 1950s.
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PBS: Timeline of 20th Century Events
This timeline traces different scientific achievements during the 1950s. Click "To Part 5" at the bottom to read more.
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1950s Patterns and Images
This page has some images illustrating the fashion and sewing patterns popular in the 1950s.
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Greatest Films of the 1950s
This site introduces the major and minor film studios during this decade and provides a synopsis for some of the best films. NOTE: The site includes several ads.
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Fact Monster: 1950-1959 World History
This site for younger students explains the major events of the 1950s. Click on the highlighted words to learn more.
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Missions: Explorer 1-5
This NASA page has information about Explorer 1, the first satellite launched by United States in 1958. It also introduced Explorers 2-5 in the late 1950s.
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The Cold War Museum
Read about the political problems that were taking place around the world in 1950s.
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Television History
This site has images of TV sets in the 1950s. Check out the links to electronic color televisions and remote controls. Click on "Quick Facts by Year" to find out what items cost.
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Colorcast of the Rose Parade
Read about the day that televisions first transmitted color images.
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Fact Monster: 1950s
This encyclopedia site has links to many of the major events that occurred in the 1950s. At the bottom, click on "Next Year" to advance through the decade.
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Fact Monster: Decade Quiz
Take this online quiz to test your understanding of what happened in the 1950s.
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Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Learn more about Motown music from the 1950s. Click on "All Timelines" to read more about other eras of rock 'n roll.
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Biography: Elvis Presley
Read a short biography about Elvis Presley's life. NOTE: There is a link to the official Elvis Presley site, which includes lots of good information but also many outside links and ads.
Education Standards
