1953 History Events: What Happened in 1953

The conflict between communism and capitalism heated up in the 1950s. Many events centred on this battle in 1953, including the execution of spies, government changes, and the power struggle following Joseph Stalin’s death, as well as a revolt in Eastern Germany. The world’s population was only 2.66 billion people. Many of the 3.95 newborns born in the United States in 1953 had the names Robert or Mary as their middle names.

Two Japanese-produced films, Tokyo Story and Ugetsu, as well as the debut screening of the classic Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, were big hits on the big screen. Fahrenheit 451, Childhood’s End, The Crucible, and The Old Man and the Sea, which won the Pulitzer Prize, were all bestsellers in 1953. In addition, there were numerous firsts in armament, science, cinematic technology, and the establishment of a new country this year.

Three noteworthy events occurred in science. Jonas Salk gave millions of people hope when he announced the existence of a workable polio vaccine. Crick and Watson announced their discovery of DNA structure on February 21st. Finally, the army appointed its first female doctor to the medical field.

Technology and the media have also evolved significantly. In 1953, the first issues of TV Guide and Playboy were published, and the first 3-D film, House of Wax, was released in theatres around the world. Sir Edmund Hillary became the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, raising the world to new heights. Outside of the United States, Egypt declared independence on June 18th, while Fidel Castro rebelled against Cuba’s former government. Finally, Winston Churchill, a Nobel Laureate and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, was knighted for his efforts.

Continue reading to discover more about the events of 1953.

Event
(January 05, 1953) Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot was staged for the first time in Paris. It was a hugely important and long-lasting piece of work. photo source: wikimedia.org
Advertisements (March 05, 1953) Georgy Malenkov succeeded Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, who died at the age of 74.
(April 11, 1953) Andrew John Wiles, a mathematician who devised a proof for Fermat's final theorem, was born in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England.
(May 06, 1953) Tony Blair, the leader of the British Labour Party and the youngest British Prime Minister since 1812, was born.
(May 18, 1953) Jacqueline Cochran, an American aviator, was the first woman to break the sound barrier.
Advertisements (May 29, 1953) Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Tibet conquered Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain (29,032 feet [8,849 metres]), on this day in 1953, after multiple failed efforts by other climbers.
(June 02, 1953) Elizabeth II, the oldest daughter of King George VI, was crowned queen of the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey on this day in 1953, after assuming the throne upon her father's death in February 1952.
(June 19, 1953) Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were hanged on this day in 1953, after judicial appeals and an international campaign for mercy failed. They were the first American civilians to be executed for espionage.
(September 12, 1953) Future U.S. president and senator John F. Kennedy wed Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island. photo source: wikimedia.org
Advertisements (November 27, 1953) Eugene O'Neill, author of Long Day's Journey into Night and playwright, died at the age of 65. photo source: wikimedia.org