The 1950s often are portrayed as a time of youthful exuberance and post-World War II suburbia happiness as the economic engine continued to hum along. And it was, of course, a magical time of growing up for those who are now in or approaching their eighth decade of circling the sun.
But it was also a period of incredible history in the making. The Library of Congress has a great 1950s timeline that outlines some of these events, including the ascension of Queen Elizabeth, the start of the Korean War, the start of trials with the polio vaccine and the Montgomery Bus Boycott and rise of the Civil Rights Movement.
On the literature front we saw the publication of Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” Kerouac’s “On The Road” and Miller’s “The Crucible.” We added Alaska and Hawaii as states. And on the local front: The Boerne Public Library opened in 1952, which has promoted our year-long celebration of all things 1950s!
