Step back in time to the vibrant 1950s! A decade marked by rock ‘n’ roll, groundbreaking discoveries, and significant cultural shifts. From iconic toys that took the world by storm to historical moments that shaped the modern world, the 1950s were undoubtedly a period of rapid change and innovation. Test your knowledge or rediscover some of the most memorable events of the ’50s with this collection of intriguing 1950s trivia questions. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, dive in and see how much you know about this iconic decade!
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1. Which iconic doll was introduced to the world in 1959? Reveal Answer Barbie 2. In 1954, what landmark case declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional? Reveal Answer Brown v. Board of Education 3. Which popular Disneyland theme park opened in 1955? Reveal Answer Disneyland, California 4. Which 1957 movie featured a young Elvis Presley? Reveal Answer Jailhouse Rock 5. What toy, named after a Hawaiian dance, became a huge fad in the late 1950s? Reveal Answer Hula Hoop 6. Which novel, written by J.D. Salinger and published in 1951, became a classic? Reveal Answer The Catcher in the Rye 7. In 1955, who became the leader of the Soviet Union? Reveal Answer Nikita Khrushchev 8. What 1950s television show was set in the fictional town of Mayberry? Reveal Answer The Andy Griffith Show 9. Which car model, introduced by Chevrolet in 1953, became synonymous with American sports cars? Reveal Answer Corvette 10. Who starred as the leading role in the 1954 film ‘On the Waterfront’? Reveal Answer Marlon Brando 11. In 1958, NASA was established. What does NASA stand for? Reveal Answer National Aeronautics and Space Administration 12. Which rock and roll legend recorded ‘Johnny B. Goode’ in 1958? Reveal Answer Chuck Berry 13. Which hit song by Bill Haley and His Comets became an anthem for the 1950s? Reveal Answer Rock Around the Clock 14. Who became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1959? Reveal Answer It’s a trick question. The first American to orbit the Earth was John Glenn in 1962. 15. Which famous fast-food franchise was founded by Ray Kroc in the 1950s? Reveal Answer McDonald’s 16. What was the name of the satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957? Reveal Answer Sputnik 1 17. What board game, involving buying and trading properties, surged in popularity during the 1950s? Reveal Answer Monopoly 18. What 1950s dance move, named after a bird, became a popular trend? Reveal Answer The Chicken Dance 19. Which iconic actor starred in ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ in 1955? Reveal Answer James Dean Reveal Answer Treaty of Rome 21. What method of music storage, introduced in the 1950s, was smaller than records? Reveal Answer 45 rpm singles 22. Which U.S. state, known for its islands, became the 50th state in 1959? Reveal Answer Hawaii 23. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his efforts to end the Korean War? Reveal Answer George C. Marshall 24. In what year during the 1950s did Queen Elizabeth II have her coronation? Reveal Answer 1953 25. Which animated film, released in 1950 by Disney, tells the story of a girl and a glass slipper? Reveal Answer Cinderella 26. What popular TV show began in the 1950s and featured a redheaded actress in comedic situations? Reveal Answer I Love Lucy 27. Which 1952 film is famous for its scene of Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate? Reveal Answer The Seven Year Itch 28. What children’s show, featuring a friendly neighborhood and hosted by Fred Rogers, debuted in the 1950s? Reveal Answer Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood 29. What iconic science fiction film, released in 1951, has a phrase ‘Klaatu barada nikto’? Reveal Answer The Day the Earth Stood Still 30. Which magazine, first published in the 1950s, is known for its fold-in back cover? Reveal Answer MAD Magazine 31. Which creature from a 1954 movie became a cultural icon in Japanese kaiju films? Reveal Answer Godzilla 32. Who was the U.S. President at the start of the 1950s? Reveal Answer Harry S. Truman 33. Which future president married Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953? Reveal Answer John F. Kennedy 34. Which medical breakthrough, developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, was introduced in 1955? Reveal Answer Polio vaccine 35. Which famous singer known as ‘The Man in Black’ began his recording career in the 1950s? Reveal Answer Johnny Cash 36. In which 1950s conflict did the Inchon Landing take place? Reveal Answer Korean War 37. Which 1956 film is known for its chariot race scene? Reveal Answer Ben-Hur 38. Who wrote the play ‘Waiting for Godot’, which premiered in the 1950s? Reveal Answer Samuel Beckett 39. Which musical, debuting in 1957, is based on the story of Romeo and Juliet? Reveal Answer West Side Story 40. What 1950s invention by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce would revolutionize the world of electronics? Reveal Answer Integrated Circuit 41. In the 1950s, what European city was divided by a famous wall? Reveal Answer Berlin 42. What was the name of the dog sent to space by the Soviet Union in 1957? Reveal Answer Laika 43. Which French fashion designer introduced the ‘sack dress’ in the 1950s? Reveal Answer Hubert de Givenchy 44. What was the name of the first atomic submarine launched by the U.S. in 1954? Reveal Answer USS Nautilus 45. Which British mountaineer, along with Tenzing Norgay, reached the summit of Everest in 1953? Reveal Answer Sir Edmund Hillary 46. Which American author released the novel ‘Fahrenheit 451’ in the 1950s? Reveal Answer Ray Bradbury 47. In 1956, which African country gained independence from Britain and became a republic? Reveal Answer Sudan 48. What 1950s television game show became embroiled in a scandal over fixed outcomes? Reveal Answer Twenty-One 49. Which U.S. state, famous for its oil, became the 49th state in 1959? Reveal Answer Alaska 50. What was the popular name for the disc jockeys who were paid to promote particular records in the 1950s? Reveal Answer Payola Sharing is Caring:
