World Events in 1950
Korean War begins
North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel on 25 June 1950, invading South Korea. The United Nations, led primarily by American forces, intervened to repel the invasion. The conflict would rage for three years and claim millions of lives.
China enters Tibet
The People's Liberation Army invaded Tibet in October 1950, beginning a long and contested annexation. The Tibetan government, lacking significant military capability, appealed to the United Nations for help but received little meaningful response.
India becomes a republic
On 26 January 1950, India adopted its new constitution and became a sovereign democratic republic. Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the first President. The date is still celebrated annually as Republic Day.
Senator McCarthy's anti-communist crusade
Senator Joseph McCarthy claimed to have a list of communists working in the US State Department, igniting a nationwide Red Scare. His accusations would dominate American politics for years, ruining careers and stoking fear across government, Hollywood, and academia.
European Coal and Steel Community proposed
French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed pooling French and West German coal and steel production under a common authority. The Schuman Declaration of May 1950 laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the European Union.
Music in 1950
"No official UK singles chart until 1952"
N/A
The first official UK singles chart was published by the NME on 14 November 1952. Before this, popularity was tracked informally through sheet music sales and radio play.
"Goodnight Irene"
Gordon Jenkins and The Weavers
This folk standard topped the Billboard charts for 13 weeks in the summer and autumn of 1950, becoming the best-selling record of the year in the United States.
#1 Film of 1950
Cinderella
Box Office: $85 million (worldwide)
Walt Disney's animated adaptation of the classic fairy tale was a massive critical and commercial hit, helping to revive the Disney studio after a financially difficult decade during the war years.
Born in 1950
Stevie Wonder
Legendary singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and Motown icon
Peter Gabriel
Singer-songwriter, Genesis frontman, and pioneering solo artist
Bill Murray
Comedy actor known for Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, and Lost in Translation
Richard Branson
Founder of the Virgin Group business empire
Lost in 1950
George Orwell
Author of Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm
Age 46
George Bernard Shaw
Nobel Prize-winning playwright of Pygmalion and Saint Joan
Age 94
Al Jolson
Singer and actor who starred in the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer
Age 64
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Author who created Tarzan and John Carter of Mars
Age 74
Technology in 1950
Television was still a luxury in most British homes but spreading rapidly in the US, with around 9 million sets in American households. Long-playing vinyl records (33⅓ RPM) were transforming the music industry. Domestic appliances like washing machines and vacuum cleaners were becoming aspirational purchases.
- ● First credit card (Diners Club) introduced
- ● Xerox produces the first commercial photocopier
- ● First successful kidney transplant performed in Chicago
- ● Color television demonstrated by CBS in the United States
Cost of Living in 1950
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £1,500 | $7,354 |
| Average salary | £400/year | $3,210/year |
| Pint of milk | 2½d | $0.21 |
| Loaf of bread | 4d | $0.14 |
| Dozen eggs | 2s 6d | $0.60 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 0d | $0.35 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 3s 0d | $0.27 |
| Cinema ticket | 1s 6d | $0.50 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1950
Post-war austerity still gripped Britain while America surged into consumer prosperity. Fashion favoured Dior's 'New Look' with cinched waists and full skirts, and nylon stockings became prized possessions. Football drew record crowds in England, the first Formula One World Championship was held at Silverstone, and families gathered around the wireless for comedy and drama.
In the News in 1950
The Stone of Scone was stolen from Westminster Abbey by Scottish nationalists on Christmas Day. The Great Brinks Robbery in Boston netted $2.7 million. Severe flooding struck the Red River in Manitoba. President Truman survived an assassination attempt by Puerto Rican nationalists at Blair House.