The Baby Boom Years: 1958 View larger

The Baby Boom Years: 1958

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The definitive collection of 1950s American music, news, fashion, fads and kitsch that continues to influence the world.

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BORN

  • Ellen DeGeneres
  • Michael Jackson
  • Alec Baldwin
  • Madonna

MUSIC

  • Billie Holiday is given a year’s probation by a Philadelphia court following her arrest and guilty plea on narcotics possession charges in 1956.


FASHION

  • A long, unbroken oval silhouette is all the rage, undoubtedly inspired by the shape of a space rocket.
  • Intense color and shoes that match the outfit are in.

SPORTS

  • December 28 the Baltimore Colts won 23-17 over the New York Giants in overtime. The game is later called the “Greatest game ever played”
  • Willie O’Ree is the first Black Canadian to play in the National Hockey League.
  • World Cup: Brazil defeats Sweden 5-2.

WORLD

  • Charles de Gaulle is elected President of the 5th French Republic.
  • Egypt and Syria form the United Arab Republic.
  • U.S. Marines intervene in Lebanon to bolster the government.

TRIVIA QUESTIONS

  • How old was Bobby Fischer when he won the United States Chess Championship?

a. 11 b. 14 c.19 d. 29

  • 18 year old Frank Carney read a story in the Saturday Evening Post about the “pizza fad” among teenagers and college students, and opened this American restaurant with $600 borrowed from his mother.
  • Six months after the Soviet launching of Sputnik, a 23-year old Texan won the first Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition. The victory sent this pianist’s career, and distraught American morale, into orbit.
  • It read like a soap opera: Sultry young widow steals unfaithful husband from apple-pie friend. This big screen, Hollywood gossip saga created a fan feeding frenzy that would dominate tabloids for months. Who made up this notorious love triangle?

R.I.P.

  • Edward Weston
  • Ronald Colman
  • Big Bill Broonzy
  • Mel Ott

Billboard Top 10 Pop Hits

  1. At The Hop — Danny And The Juniors
  2. Tequila — The Champs
  3. To Know Him Is To Love Him —The Teddy Bears
  4. It’s Only Make Believe —Conway Twitty
  5. Get A Job — The Silhouettes
  6. Hard Headed Woman — Elvis Presley
  7. Little Star — The Elegants
  8. Bird Dog — The Everly Brothers
  9. Yakety Yak — The Coasters
  10. Great Balls Of Fire — Jerry Lee Lewis