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53. The 1950s: Happy Days

McCarthyism, the suburbs, television, rock and roll, the continuing Cold War, and the voices that refused to conform.

53. The 1950s: Happy Days

It didn't start airing until 1974, but the television show Happy Days portrayed the carefree '50s through the antics of characters named Potsie, Chachi, and Fo…

53a. McCarthyism

"Our job as Americans and as Republicans is to dislodge the traitors from every place where they've been sent to do their traitorous work." -Joseph McCarthy, s…

53b. Suburban Growth

Convenience and color were two hallmarks of the 1950s kitchen. Pink refrigerators and new pre-sweetened cereals such as Sugar Pops were introduced to America e…

53c. Land of Television

As the price of television sets dropped, the number of viewers grew. 1952 saw the arrival of the Viking Console, a Canadian set, which was popular all over Nor…

53d. America Rocks and Rolls

The prosperity of the '50s allowed teenagers to spend money on records by their favorite bands and singers. Rock and roll was everything the suburban 1950s wer…

53e. The Cold War Continues

Cartoons of the unflappable Bert the Turtle warned American children everywhere during the Cold War to "duck and cover" in the event of a nuclear blast. Althou…

53f. Voices against Conformity

Many in the 1950s strove for the comfort and conformity depicted on such TV shows as Father Knows Best and Leave It to Beaver. But despite the emerging affluen…