Where Did This Happen, 1950s Edition Quiz

Answer: Korea

Korea had previously been divided after the end of World War II. North Korea was a Communist country and the South Korea was a capitalist country. A civil war began after the North launched an invasion and captured the South's capital of Seoul. It became an international conflict when the United States and United Nations sent troops to help the South and China began helping the North.

A ceasefire was established in 1953 when the two countries settled on the 38th parallel as a border.

Answer: USA

I doubt any television show could represent the 1950s better than "I Love Lucy". The show starred red headed comedienne Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo. Cuban entertainer Desi Arnaz, and Lucille Ball's real-life husband, starred as Lucy's husband Ricky Ricardo.

The storyline revolved around Lucy's comic antics. The show was based on a popular radio series that Ball had previously starred in. "I Love Lucy" was filmed in Hollywood using a live audience rather than a laugh track. It also made history as the first scripted television show to be filmed using three different cameras. I think it is still funny over 60 years later.

Answer: Kenya

The Mau Mau, also known as Kenya Land and Freedom Army (KLFA), was made up of the Kikuyu people, Meru people and Embu people. They resented the British rule and the harsh penalties forced upon their people. There was more support for the rebels in the countryside than the cities. While the rebellion was largely suppressed by 1960, there were pockets of resistance that lasted until Kenya's independence in 1963.
Many countries were seeking independence from countries that had colonised them. This change was happening world wide and the Mau Mau rebellion is symbolic of the time.

Answer: New Zealand

Sir Edmund Hillary was an explorer and Tenzing Norgay was a Sherpa guide from Nepal and together they accomplished the climb that many had attempted. I have read that Hillary always refused to take the accolades as his own, insisting that Norgay be included.

Indeed, when Hillary was knighted by the young Queen Elisabeth II, he believed Tenzing Norgay would be as well. It has been suggested that Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru refused permission for Norgay to be knighted, so he was the awarded the George Medal instead. Hillary eventually retired to bee-keeping in his home New Zealand.

Answer: England

It may seem strange now that so many athletes have broken the four-minute standard for the mile distance, but once this time it was thought to be an impossible feat. Doctors even stated human beings were unable to move that fast. Bannister was a young but experienced runner and a medical student.

The race had raised great interest amongst the public, it was even broadcast by the BBC. The stadium announcer for the race tried to draw out the final times announcement so long that the crowd began to cheer sensing the mile was broken.

Answer: Australia

Edna Everage is a stage character created by entertainer Barry Humphries. At first she was a drab housewife, however Humphries has continually updated the character over the years and in 2019 she is still with us. Edna's lilac-coloured or hair, her favourite flower, the gladiolus ("gladdies") and her boisterous greeting: "Hello, Possums!" make her a memorable character.

Barry Humphries joined the fledgling Union Theatre Repertory Company early in 1955. While touring around towns in country Victoria, Humphries developed the character to relieve the boredom of the other entertainers while travelling. Edna (later Dame Edna) Everage made her first appearance in a Melbourne University's revue at the end of 1955, as the city prepared for the 1956 Olympic Games.

Answer: Switzerland

Members of the European Broadcasting Union discussed ideas to organise a pan-European music competition during a meeting at Monaco. They decided to call this competition the Eurovision Song Contest. Switzerland hosted the contest in Lugano.
We are used to some silliness and controversy today in Eurovision, but at this time it was very serious. The rules were very different, the contestants were allowed two songs. Lys Assia from Switzerland won the contest with her song "Refrain".

Answer: Soviet Union

The Soviet Union no longer exists, but at this time they were a powerhouse of science and technology. The Space Race began with the successful launch of this little satellite. By November 3rd The USSR had launched the second artificial satellite Sputnik 2, carrying a dog named Laika.

The USA responded with the launch of satellite Explorer 1 early the following year. Over the next few years the USSR and The United States continued to advance the technology aimed at placing a man on the moon. The Earth is surrounded by satellites (space junk) that are used for numerous purposes, possibly the main one is keeping us all connected via the communication satellites.

Answer: Belgium

The site chosen for covered roughly 490 acres near Brussels. Like all World Fairs it featured several pavilions that showcased science, arts, architecture, engineering, and various countries along with their cultures and accomplishments.
An attraction of the Expo was the unusually shaped "Atomium", which was designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak to look like a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. It symbolised the New World led by science after the destruction of WWII.

Answer: USA

Barbie personifies the 1950s - plastic, beautiful and disposable. Designed by Ruth Handler designed the doll and named her after her daughter. The first Barbie was sold for $3. In the first year alone, over 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold! She was a hit and every little girl wanted a Barbie. Today, a mint condition "#1" (1959 Barbie doll) can fetch over $US27,000.

While she may have begun as a model, Barbie has had several careers ranging from doctor, teacher and life guard right up to President. To date, over 70 fashion designers have created clothes Barbie, using over 105 million yards of dress fabric.

A girl needs a wardrobe!