The 1950s - a decade of poodle skirts, drive-in movies, and the rise of rock 'n' roll. If you're looking to test your knowledge or challenge your friends and family, you've come to the right place. Here are 50 free 1950s trivia questions and answers that are printable and ready to go.
Early 1950s: Politics and World Events
The early 1950s were marked by significant global events that shaped the decade. Here are a few questions to get you started:
- Who was the President of the United States at the beginning of the 1950s? Answer: Harry S. Truman.
- What was the name of the war that began in 1950 and lasted for three years? Answer: The Korean War.
- Who was the leader of the Soviet Union in the early 1950s? Answer: Joseph Stalin.
More Early 1950s Politics and World Events
- What was the name of the famous senator who led the Red Scare in the United States? Answer: Joseph McCarthy.
- Which country was divided into East and West after World War II? Answer: Germany.
- What was the name of the international organization established in 1945 to promote peace and security? Answer: The United Nations.
1950s Pop Culture: Music, Movies, and TV
The 1950s were a transformative time for popular culture, with the rise of rock 'n' roll, drive-in movies, and television. Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:
- Who is often credited with popularizing rock 'n' roll music? Answer: Elvis Presley.
- What was the name of the famous sitcom that premiered in 1951 and starred Lucille Ball? Answer: I Love Lucy.
- Who was the lead actor in the 1955 film "Rebel Without a Cause"? Answer: James Dean.
More 1950s Pop Culture
- Which singer-songwriter released the hit song "Earth Angel" in 1954? Answer: Jesse Belvin.
- What was the name of the popular 1950s dance craze? Answer: The Twist.
- Who was the host of the popular game show "The $64 Question"? Answer: Hal March.
1950s Fashion and Trends
The 1950s were known for their iconic fashion trends, from poodle skirts to saddle shoes. Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:
- What was the name of the popular fashion trend characterized by a full skirt and fitted waist? Answer: The New Look.
- Which type of shoe was popularized by teenagers in the 1950s? Answer: Saddle shoes.
- Who was the famous fashion designer who popularized the "little black dress"? Answer: Coco Chanel.
More 1950s Fashion and Trends
- What was the name of the popular hairstyle characterized by a curved shape and hair worn on the forehead? Answer: The Pompadour.
- Which type of jewelry was popularized by the 1950s TV show "I Love Lucy"? Answer: Pearl necklaces.
- Who was the famous model who popularized the "pin-up girl" look? Answer: Betty Grable.
1950s Sports and Leisure
The 1950s were a great time for sports and leisure activities, with the rise of drive-in movies and the popularity of baseball. Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:
- Who was the famous baseball player who broke the color barrier in 1947? Answer: Jackie Robinson.
- What was the name of the popular drive-in movie theater chain that was founded in the 1950s? Answer: Drive-In Theaters.
- Who was the famous boxer who won the heavyweight championship in 1952? Answer: Rocky Marciano.
More 1950s Sports and Leisure
- Which team won the first Super Bowl in 1958? Answer: The Baltimore Colts.
- Who was the famous golfer who won the Masters Tournament in 1954? Answer: Sam Snead.
- What was the name of the popular board game that was introduced in the 1950s? Answer: Scrabble.
1950s Science and Technology
The 1950s were a time of great scientific and technological advancement, with the development of the polio vaccine and the first commercial jet airliner. Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:
- Who developed the polio vaccine in the 1950s? Answer: Jonas Salk.
- What was the name of the first commercial jet airliner that was introduced in 1952? Answer: The de Havilland Comet.
- Who was the famous scientist who discovered the structure of DNA in 1953? Answer: James Watson and Francis Crick.
More 1950s Science and Technology
- What was the name of the first artificial satellite that was launched into space in 1957? Answer: Sputnik 1.
- Who was the famous computer scientist who developed the first commercial computer in the 1950s? Answer: John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert.
- What was the name of the popular science fiction TV show that premiered in 1953? Answer: The War of the Worlds.
1950s History: Significant Events and Dates
The 1950s were a significant time in world history, with the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:
- What was the name of the famous court case that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional in 1954? Answer: Brown v. Board of Education.
- Who was the leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955? Answer: Martin Luther King Jr.
- What was the name of the famous summit meeting between the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union in 1955? Answer: The Geneva Summit.
More 1950s History
- What was the name of the famous CIA-backed coup that overthrew the government of Iran in 1953? Answer: Operation Ajax.
- Who was the famous prime minister of the United Kingdom who resigned in 1955? Answer: Winston Churchill.
- What was the name of the famous Hungarian Revolution that took place in 1956? Answer: The Hungarian Uprising.
1950s Culture: Social Movements and Trends
The 1950s were a time of great social change, with the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and the emergence of youth culture. Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:
- What was the name of the famous Civil Rights leader who was assassinated in 1955? Answer: Emmett Till.
- Who was the famous author who wrote the influential novel "The Catcher in the Rye" in 1951? Answer: J.D. Salinger.
- What was the name of the popular youth culture trend that emerged in the 1950s? Answer: The Beat Generation.
More 1950s Culture
- Who was the famous poet who was a leading figure in the Beat Generation? Answer: Allen Ginsberg.
- What was the name of the popular TV show that premiered in 1954 and featured a family with a stay-at-home mom? Answer: Father Knows Best.
- Who was the famous actress who popularized the "feminine mystique" in the 1950s? Answer: Betty Friedan.
1950s Economics: Business and Industry
The 1950s were a time of great economic growth, with the rise of suburbanization and the growth of the service sector. Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:
- What was the name of the famous economist who popularized the concept of the "affluent society" in the 1950s? Answer: John Kenneth Galbraith.
- Who was the famous businessman who founded the first McDonald's restaurant in 1955? Answer: Ray Kroc.
- What was the name of the popular consumer product that was introduced in the 1950s? Answer: The credit card.
More 1950s Economics
- Who was the famous union leader who led the United Auto Workers in the 1950s? Answer: Walter Reuther.
- What was the name of the popular business book that was published in 1956? Answer: "The Organization Man".
- Who was the famous economist who developed the concept of the "military-industrial complex" in the 1950s? Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1950s Transportation: Cars, Planes, and Trains
The 1950s were a time of great innovation in transportation, with the rise of the interstate highway system and the development of commercial air travel. Here are a few questions to test your knowledge:
- What was the name of the famous highway system that was established in 1956? Answer: The Interstate Highway System.
- Who was the famous aviator who broke the sound barrier in 1952? Answer: Chuck Yeager.
We hope you enjoyed these 50 free 1950s trivia questions and answers. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a fun challenge, we're sure you'll find something to love.
What was the most popular music genre of the 1950s?
+Rock 'n' roll was the most popular music genre of the 1950s, with artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard dominating the charts.
What was the name of the first commercial jet airliner?
+The de Havilland Comet was the first commercial jet airliner, introduced in 1952.
Who was the leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955?
+Martin Luther King Jr. was the leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955.