World Events in 1957
Sputnik launches the Space Age
The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 on 4 October 1957, the first man-made object to orbit the Earth. Its distinctive beeping signal could be picked up by amateur radio operators worldwide. The launch shocked the West and triggered the space race between the superpowers.
Treaty of Rome signed
On 25 March 1957, six European nations — France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg — signed the Treaty of Rome. It created the European Economic Community (EEC), or Common Market. Britain declined to join, a decision it would later reverse in 1973.
Little Rock school desegregation crisis
Nine Black students attempting to attend Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas were blocked by the state's National Guard on the orders of Governor Faubus. President Eisenhower sent federal troops to escort the students into the school. The confrontation became a defining moment of the civil rights movement.
Ghana becomes independent
On 6 March 1957, the Gold Coast became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule, taking the name Ghana. Kwame Nkrumah became its first Prime Minister. Ghana's independence inspired liberation movements across the continent.
Macmillan's 'Never Had It So Good'
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan told a Conservative rally in Bedford on 20 July that 'most of our people have never had it so good'. The phrase captured the post-war prosperity spreading through Britain but was also intended as a warning about inflation. It became one of the most quoted political soundbites of the century.
Music in 1957
"Diana"
Paul Anka
The Canadian teenager's ode to an older woman was a worldwide smash and spent nine weeks at number one in the UK. Paul Anka was just 16 when he wrote and recorded it.
"All Shook Up"
Elvis Presley
Elvis dominated the charts again with this playful rocker, which spent eight weeks at number one. It was one of four Elvis singles to top the Billboard chart in 1957 alone.
#1 Film of 1957
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Box Office: $30 million (worldwide)
David Lean's war epic won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. William Holden and Alec Guinness starred, with Guinness winning Best Actor. The film's whistled march became instantly iconic.
Born in 1957
Spike Lee
Influential film director known for Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X
Nick Hornby
Author of Fever Pitch, High Fidelity, and About a Boy
Daniel Day-Lewis
Three-time Oscar-winning actor, widely considered one of the greatest of his generation
Steve Harvey
Comedian, TV host, and author known for Family Feud and his morning show
Osama bin Laden
Founder of al-Qaeda, mastermind of the September 11 attacks
Lost in 1957
Humphrey Bogart
Legendary film actor known for Casablanca and The African Queen
Age 57
Oliver Hardy
Comedy legend as one half of Laurel and Hardy
Age 65
Jean Sibelius
Finland's greatest composer, known for Finlandia
Age 91
Diego Rivera
Mexican muralist and husband of Frida Kahlo
Age 70
Technology in 1957
Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October, became the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. The Space Age and the space race had begun in earnest. Britain tested its first hydrogen bomb at Christmas Island. The Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community. FORTRAN, the first high-level programming language, was released by IBM.
- ● Sputnik 1 — the first artificial satellite — launched by the USSR
- ● Laika the dog becomes the first living creature in orbit aboard Sputnik 2
- ● FORTRAN programming language released by IBM
- ● Britain tests its first hydrogen bomb at Christmas Island
Cost of Living in 1957
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £2,200 | $10,000 |
| Average salary | £560/year | $4,100/year |
| Pint of milk | 3½d | $0.24 |
| Loaf of bread | 6d | $0.19 |
| Dozen eggs | 3s 6d | $0.62 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 4d | $0.42 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 4s 0d | $0.31 |
| Cinema ticket | 2s 3d | $0.60 |
Shop 1957 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 1957
The Space Age began with a beep from orbit. Sputnik terrified the West and thrilled the world. Skiffle fever gripped Britain — Lonnie Donegan inspired thousands of teenagers, including a young John Lennon, to form groups with washboards and tea-chest basses. Jack Kerouac's On the Road defined the Beat Generation. Harold Macmillan told Britons they had 'never had it so good', and consumer prosperity was genuinely spreading.
In the News in 1957
Harold Macmillan became Prime Minister after Eden's resignation. The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool as a jazz venue. Dr. Seuss published The Cat in the Hat. The 'Asian flu' pandemic killed over a million people worldwide.