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BOOMERNET Chronicle: 1954
The Supreme Court bans racial segregation in schools in its May decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
In ruling that "separate but equal" public education was unconstitutional because it could never be truly equal, the Court paved the way for
integration and the civil rights movement. Thurgood Marshall, chief counsel for the NAACP in this case, later becomes the first African-American
Justice, serving on the Court for almost 25 years.
Overseas, cold war positions stabilize in Europe, as West Germany is admitted to both NATO and the European Union. In Asia, however, Communist forces succeed in defeating the French at Dien Bien Phu, leading to the division of Vietnam at the 17th parallel. Democratic elections are mandated by the Geneva Accords to reunify the country, but they never occur. The U.S. government replaces the French as the primary supporters of what comes to be known as South Vietnam.
Television becomes the dominant entertainment source in the country, as 29 million households now have TV's, double the number of 3 years before. Even though televison broadcast revenue surpasses that of radio, the DuMont TV network folds, since it is unable to match the cash reserves of the other 3 networks. Meanwhile, in sports news, the Philadelphia Athletics move to Kansas City, as the western expansion of major league sports continues.
U.S. Facts
- President: Dwight D. Eisenhower (R)
- Population: 163,026,000
- Life Expectancy: 69.6 years
- Unemployment: 5.5%
- Average Annual Salary: $4,700
- Minimum Wage: $0.75 per hour
- Inflation Rate: 0.7%
What Things Cost
- Automobile: $1,950
- Gasoline: $0.29 per gallon
- House: $17,500
- Bread: $0.17 per loaf
- Milk: $0.92 per gallon
- Postage Stamp: $0.03
Major U.S. Events
- Supreme Court bans racial segregation in schools in Brown v. Board of Education
- N.Y. Stock Exchange prices at highest level since 1929
Major World Events
- USSR tests nuclear weapons
- Viet Minh controls North Vietnam
February
- Pres. Eisenhower warns against U.S. intervention in Vietnam
- First mass vaccination of children against polio begins in Pittsburgh
March
- U.S. announces hydrogen bomb test on Bikini Atoll in Pacific
- Puerto Rican nationalists attack House of Rep., wounding 5
April
- Sen. McCarthy begins hearing on Communists in Army
May
- Roger Bannister runs 1st 4-min. mile
- French lose battle of Dien Bien Phu; prepare to leave Vietnam
June
- Eisenhower approves adding "under God" to pledge of allegiance
July
- Vietnam divided at 17th parallel, pending democratic elections
August
- 1st issue of Sports Illustrated
October
- West Germany admitted to NATO and European Union
November
- Immigration port-of-entry at Ellis Island, N.Y. closes
December
- Senate condemns Joseph McCarthy for dishonorable conduct
Top Songs
- Little Things Mean A Lot by Kitty Kallen
- Wanted by Perry Como
- Hey, There by Rosemary Clooney
- Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream) by The Crew Cuts
- Make Love To Me by Jo Stafford
Other New Songs
- Shake Rattle and Roll by Bill Haley & His Comets
- Young At Heart by Frank Sinatra
- Mr Sandman by The Chordettes
- Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight by the Spaniels
- Secret Love by Doris Day
Top Movies
- On The Waterfront
- The Country Girl
- The Barefoot Contessa
- The Caine Mutiny
- The High and the Mighty
Top Books
- Lord of the Flies William Golding
- Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
- The Bridge on the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle
- Sayonara by James Michener
Top TV Shows (1953-54)
- I Love Lucy
- Dragnet
- Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts
- You Bet Your Life
- The Chevy Show (Bob Hope)
Major League Baseball: World Series
- New York Giants d. Cleveland Indians
Pro Football: Championship
- Cleveland Browns d. Detroit Lions
Ice Hockey: Stanley Cup
- Detroit Red Wings d. Montreal Canadiens
Pro Basketball: Championship
- Minneapolis Lakers d. Syracuse Nationals
NCAA Champions
- Football: Ohio State Buckeyes (or) UCLA Bruins
- Basketball: La Salle Explorers
Other Champions
- Boxing: Rocky Marciano defends heavyweight title twice
- Golf: Ed Furgol is PGA player of the year
- Tennis: Vic Seixas, Jr. and Doris Hart win U.S. Open
- Horse Racing: Determine wins Kentucky Derby
- Auto Racing: Bill Vukovich wins Indianapolis 500
Note: You may click on the images above to visit Amazon.com for souvenirs of the era
Inventions, Fads, & Fashion
- Davy Crockett becomes national fad; sales of coonskin caps soar
- Tournament of Roses parade is 1st national broadcast in color
- Oral contraceptives introduced (the pill)
- Teflon introduced, for non-stick pans
- Girls wear poodle skirts
- Schlitz introduces 1st 16-oz. beer can
