US History 1950 to 1959 Chronology

President Harry S Truman creates the Defense Production Administration, headed by William H Harrison, to centralize various emergency production agencies.

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Feb 26

Minnesota was the 36th (of 41 total) state to ratify the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (At the time, ratification required 36 states out of 48. Today, ratification would require 38 states out of 50.) The amendment limited a U.S. president to two terms in office.

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Feb 27

The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting a president to two terms of office, is ratified. (TWA, 1997)

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Mar 02

The U.S. Navy launches the K-1, the first modern submarine designed to hunt enemy submarines.

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Mar 26

The U.S. Air Force flag was approved on this day. The flag included the coat of arms, 13 white stars and the Air Force seal on a blue background.

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May 10

Z Alexander Looby elected to Nashville City Council.

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Jun 01

First self-contained titanium plant opened Henderson NV

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Jun 19

President Harry S. Truman signs the Universal Military Training and Service Act, which extends Selective Service until July 1, 1955 and lowers the draft age to 18.

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Jul 14

The George Washington Carver National Monument in Joplin, Missouri becomes the first national park honoring an African American.

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Sep 01

The United States, Australia and New Zealand signed a mutual defense pact, the ANZUS treaty.

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Oct 01

First treaty signed by woman ambassador-Eugenie Anderson.

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Nov 10

Direct-dial coast-to-coast telephone service begins as Mayor M. Leslie Denning of Englewood, New Jersey, called his counterpart in Alameda, California.

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Nov 14

The United States and Yugoslavia sign a military aid pact.

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Dec 31

Marshall Plan ends;replaced by Mutual Security agency.

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1952

Feb 16

The FBI arrests 10 members of the Ku Klux Klan in North Carolina.

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Mar 03

Puerto Rico approves their first self written constitution.

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Apr 03

Dutch Queen Juliana speaks to US Congress.

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May 14

The oceanliner USS United States, designed to set an Atlantic speed record, gets her first sea trial. ("May 14, Your Birthday", Natalis Press, Š1990)

Jul 16

Korean veterans granted benefits in G.I. Bill of Rights.

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Jul 22

Puerto Rico becomes first independent commonwealth of U.S.

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Jul 25

Puerto Rico became a self-governing commonwealth of the United States (Constitution Day).

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Sep 17

"I am an American Day" & "Constituion Day" renamed "Citizenship Day".

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Dec 30

The Tuskegee Institute reports 1952 as 1st yr in 71 with no lynchings in US.

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1953

Jan 03

Frances Bolton and her son, Oliver from Ohio, became the first mother-son combination to serve at the same time in the United States Congress.

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Jan 21

John Foster Dulles appointed as Secretary of State.

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Jan 30

President Dwight Eisenhower announces that he will pull the Seventh Fleet out of Formosa to permit the Nationalists to attack Communist China.

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Feb 19

The State of Georgia approved the first literature censorship board in the U.S. Newspapers were excluded from the new legislation.

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Mar 03

Claire Booth Luce becomes first woman Ambassador of a major nation: Italy.

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Mar 08

A census bureau report indicated that 239,000 farmers had quit tilling the soil and planting crops (giving up farming) over the previous two years.

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Mar 31

Department of Health, Education & Welfare established.

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Apr 11

The Cabinet-level Department of Health, Education and Welfare, was created under President Eisenhower, comes into official existence. Ref

Apr 11

Oveta Culp Hobby of Texas becomes first Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.

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May 22

President Eisenhower signs Offshore Oil Bill.

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Jun 19

Albert W Dent, elected president of Natl Health Council.

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Jul 14

First natl monument dedicated to a Negro-George Washington Carver.

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Jul 31

Dept of Health, Education & Welfare created.

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Aug 01

The first aluminum-faced building constructed in America was completed. It was the Alcoa (Aluminum Corporation of America) Building in Pittsburgh, PA.

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Aug 13

Pres Eisenhower establishes Govt Contract Compliance Committee.

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Nov 16

The United States joins in the condemnation of Israel for its raid on Jordan.

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1954

Mar 04

JE Wilkins, appointed first Black US sub-cabinet member.

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Mar 22

First shopping mall opened in Southfield MI.

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Mar 31

US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs CO, established.

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Apr 01

First army helicopter battalion formed, Fort Bragg, NC.

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Apr 01

The U.S. Air Force Academy is founded in Colorado.

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May 13

President Eisenhower signed into law the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Act.

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May 21

Amendment to give 18-year-olds right to vote is defeated.

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Jun 14

President Eisenhower signed a congressional resolution which added the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance. The last phrase now reads: '...one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'.

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Jun 22

Congress passes revised organic act for Virgin Islands.

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Jul 11

First White Citizens Council organizes in Indianola, Miss.

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Jul 12

President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposes a highway modernization program, with costs to be shared by federal and state governments.

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Aug 31

The Census Bureau is established.

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Oct 25

John Foster Dulles, the U.S. Secretary of State, briefed President Eisenhower and Cabinet members on a meeting of foreign ministers in Paris. This was the first cabinet meeting to be televised.

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Nov 02

JS Thurmond first senator elected by write-in vote (SC).

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Nov 12

Ellis Island closes after processing more than 20 million immigrants since opening in New York Harbor in 1892.

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Dec 01

Nationalist China & US sign dike agreement.

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Dec 11

USS Forrestal christened in Newport News VA.

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1955

Jan 25

The House votes 410-3 to authorize the President to use force in Taiwan against mainland China. (USA Today, p 5A, 10/08/2002)

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Jan 25

US & Panama sign canal treaty.

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Jan 28

The Senate votes 85-3 to authorize the President to use force in Taiwan against mainland China. (USA Today, p 5A, 10/08/2002)

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Mar 04

Ellis Island, immigrants first step on American soil, declared surplus property by U.S. Government.

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Mar 31

US Assay Office in Seattle WA closes.

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Apr 05

Richard J. Daley was elected mayor of Chicago, IL, starting one of the most colorful political careers not only of the Windy City, but anywhere.

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Apr 18

First "Walk"/"Don't Walk" lighted street signals installed.

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Apr 22

Congress orders all U.S. coins to bear the motto "In God We Trust."

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May 27

The census clock at the Department of Commerce Building in Washington, DC recorded a U.S. population of 165,000,000 at 8:51 a.m. Those clever people at the DOC figured out that this meant that a baby was being born every eight seconds in the USA.

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Jun 16

The U.S. House of Representatives votes to extend Selective Service until 1959.

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Jun 24

Soviet MIG's down a U.S. Navy patrol plane over the Bering Strait.

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Jul 11

Congress authorizes all US currency to say "In God We Trust".

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Jul 11

The first class of 306 cadets was sworn in at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, Colorado, the temporary home of the U.S. Air Force Academy. A bill establishing the Academy had been signed by President Eisenhower on April 1, 1954. The Cadet Wing moved to the academys permanent home north of Colorado Springs, CO in 1958.

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Jul 21

During the Geneva summit, President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented his "open skies" proposal under which the United States and the Soviet Union would trade information on each other's military facilities.

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Oct 08

Worlds most powerful aircraft carrier, Saratoga (US), launched.

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Oct 27

FBI Director Hoover, with the concurrence of the Attorney General, authorized official cooperation with reporter Don Whitehead as he wrote a history of the FBI entitled The FBI Story. The book became a bestseller and was made into a 1959 movie starring Jimmy Stewart as an FBI Agent.

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1956

Mar 27

US seizes US communist newspaper "Daily Worker"

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Apr 08

6 marine recruits drown during exercise at Paradise Island SC.

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Apr 21

Leonard Ross, age 10, became the youngest prizewinner on a big time quiz program. The youngster won $100,000 on The Big Surprise for knowing about his specialty: stocks!

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May 17

The first synthetic mica (synthamica) was offered for sale -- in Caldwell Township, NJ. Mica is a crystal-like substance used in electronic applications. It aids in resisting heat and electricity. You'll find a wide variety of mica capacitors inside your radio, TV, computer, microwave, stereo, telephone and hundreds of other electronic gizmos.

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May 26

(Long Island) The first trailer bank opened for business in Locust Grove, Long Island, NY. The 46-foot-long trailer took in $100,000 in deposits its very first day.

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May 28

Eisenhower signs farm bill allows government to store agricultural surplus.

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Jun 29

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, signs a $33.5 billion bill for national highway construction. It's the biggest public works program in history.

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Jul 04

Independence National Historical Park established in Philadelphia.

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Jul 30

By an act of Congress, signed by President Eisenhower, 'In God We Trust' became the official U.S. motto.

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Aug 19

The U.S. withdraws financial aid to Egypt for the Aswan Dam due to Egypt's connection to the Soviet Union.

Aug 20

Republicans convene at Cow Palace.

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Nov 30

The United States offers emergency oil to Europe to counter the Arab ban.

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Dec 27

Segregation on Tallahassee, Fla. buses is outlawed.

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Dec 29

President Dwight Eisenhower asks Congress for the authority to oppose Soviet aggression in the Middle East.

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1957

Jan 05

Eisenhower asks Congress to send troops to the Mid East.

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Jan 30

US Congress accepts "Eisenhower-doctrine".

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Feb 16

A U.S. flag flies over an outpost in Wilkes Land, Antarctica.

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Mar 05

The Senate votes 72-19 to authorize the President to use force in the Middle East to deter the Soviet Union. (USA Today, p 5A, 10/08/2002)

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Mar 07

The House votes 360-60 to authorize the President to use force in the Middle East to deter the Soviet Union. (USA Today, p 5A, 10/08/2002)

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Mar 23

Last US Army homing pigeons sold off.

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Mar 25

Poetry under attack: Allen Ginsberg's "Howl"declared obscene by U.S. Customs officials.

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May 01

US give Poland credit of $95 million.

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May 16

US launches its 3rd atomic submarine, USS Skate, at Groton CT.

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May 24

Anti American riots breakout in Taipei, Taiwan.

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May 27

Senator Theodore F. Green of Rhode Island became the oldest person to serve in the U.S. Congress. At the time, Sen. Green was 89 years, 7 months and 26 days young.

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May 28

With an unanimous vote, National League owners grant permission to both the Dodgers and Giants to move to the West Coast if they so desire.

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Aug 01

The United States and Canada reached agreement to create the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).

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Aug 01

First coml building heated by Sun (Albuquerque NM).

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Sep 09

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the first civil rights bill to pass Congress since Reconstruction.

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Oct 01

U.S. B-52 bombers in the Strategic Air Command went on 24-hour alert status because of the perceived threat of an attack from the Soviet Union.

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1958

Jan 03

Member of the newly created US Civil Rights Commission take office.

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Feb 05

Clifton R Wharton confirmed as first US black foreign minister (Romania).

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Mar 21

First presentation of West Point's Sylvanus Thayer Award.

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May 19

The United States and Canada formally established the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).

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May 30

Unidentified soldiers killed in World War Two and the Korean conflict were buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Jun 26

Mackinac Straits Bridge, Michigan dedicated.

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Jul 07

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Alaska statehood bill.

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Jul 15

President Dwight Eisenhower sends 5,000 Marines to Lebanon to keep the peace.

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Aug 03

James Robert Sordelet of Fort Wayne, IN, became the first person to reenlist in the US Navy while under the North Pole! He did so while serving on the submarine Nautilus as it crossed under the Arctic ice.

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Aug 29

Air Force Academy opens.

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Aug 31

The US Census Bureau reported that there were 902 women sailors in the US Navy and 2,365 male launderers in the country.

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Sep 22

Sherman Adams, assistant to President Eisenhower, resigned amid charges of improperly using his influence to help an industrialist.

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Sep 24

First welded aluminum girder highway bridge completed, Urbandale, Ia.

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Oct 25

The last U.S. troops leave Beirut.

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Nov 30

First guided missile destroyer launched, Dewey, Bath, Me.

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Dec 09

Robert H W Welch Jr & 11 other men meet in Indpls to form the anti-Communist John Birch Society.

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1959

Jan 03

(new state) President Eisenhower signed a proclamation admitting Alaska to the Union as the 49th state.

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Jan 07

The United States recognized Fidel Castro's new government in Cuba.

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Mar 04

U.S.S. Skate leaves New London, Conn to become first submarine to surface at North Pole.

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Mar 05

Iran & US sign economic & military treaty.

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Mar 12

US House joins Senate approving Hawaii statehood.

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Mar 18

President Dwight D Eisenhower signs Hawaii statehood bill.

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Apr 07

(Prohibition) Oklahoma ends prohibition, after 51 years.

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Apr 14

The (Robert) Taft Memorial Bell Tower dedicated in Washington DC.

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Apr 15

Cuban leader Fidel Castro arrived in Washington to begin a goodwill tour of the United States.

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Apr 15

US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles resigns.

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Apr 25

The St. Lawrence Seaway--linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes--opens to shipping.

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May 14

President Eisenhower breaks ground for a new performing arts complex in New York City that will become known as the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. ("May 14, Your Birthday", Natalis Press, Š1990)

Jun 02

The first class to graduate from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, did so on this day.

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Jun 02

Allen Ginsberg writes his poem "Lysergic Acid," SF.

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Jun 03

The first class to graduate from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, did so on this day.

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Jun 09

The first Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) submarine was launched at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, New Hampshire. The USS George Washington (SSBN 598) was christened this day and served proudly until January 24,.

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Jun 19

Senate rejects Ike's appointment of Lewis Strauss for Sec of Comm.

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Jun 26

President Eisenhower joined Britain's Queen Elizabeth the Second in ceremonies officially opening the St. Lawrence Seaway.

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Jul 04

America's 49-star flag, honoring Alaskan statehood, was officially unfurled.

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Jul 28

In preparation for statehood, Hawaiians voted to send the first Chinese-American, Hiram L. Fong, to the Senate and the first Japanese-American, Daniel K. Inouye, to the House of Representatives.

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Aug 09

St. Lawrence Seaway dedicated.

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Aug 12

First ship firing of a Polaris missile, Observation Island.

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Aug 22

Stephen Rockefeller of the wealthy, powerful Rockefeller family, married Anne Marie Rasmussen. Anne was once a maid in the Rockefeller household.

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Sep 06

The first Barbie Doll was sold by Mattel Toy Corporation. The original Barbie, along with her pals, Ken and Skipper, are now collectors items, although new versions are continually being produced.

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Sep 15

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev arrives in the United States for a 13-day visit.

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Sep 25

President Eisenhower and Soviet Premier Khrushchev begin Camp David talks.

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Sep 27

Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev concludes his US visit.

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Oct 07

A U.S. House subcommittee began investigations of allegedly rigged TV quiz shows.