1951

What Was Happening in 1951

Festival of Britain lifts spirits while the Cold War deepens on every front.

Born in

Number 1 Songs in 1951 — UK and US Charts

UK #1

"No official UK singles chart until 1952"

N/A

Sheet music sales and radio plays dominated the British music scene. Popular artists included Vera Lynn, Donald Peers, and Teddy Johnson.

US #1

"Too Young"

Nat King Cole

This romantic ballad held the number one spot on the Billboard chart for five weeks and became the best-selling single of 1951 in America.

Biggest Films of 1951 — Box Office Hits

Quo Vadis

Box Office: $30 million (worldwide)

MGM's lavish Roman epic starring Robert Taylor and Deborah Kerr was the highest-grossing film of 1951, filmed on location in Rome with thousands of extras.

Fashion and Style of 1951

Fashion, clothing and visual culture from the era

Architecture and Buildings of 1951

Buildings completed and structures opened in 1951

More About 1951

What Was Happening — A journey through the years