by Kevin and Will
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
1957 was an amazing year for America. In the World Series the Milwaukee Braves pulled an upset when they beat the New York Yankees 4 games to 3. In other news, a space race was sparked when the Soviets sent the first man-made satellite into outer space. The spacecraft was called Sputnik 1 and weighs about 184 pounds. Now every country wanted to be the ones in space. Drama and food were also a big thing in 1957. In 1957 many hits such as "The Music Man" and "West Side Story" made were first showed. Elvis Presley, "The King of Rock", also came out with hits such as "Jail House Rock" and "Shook Up".
- Ku Klux Klansmen accuse Alabama grocery-chain truck driver Willie Edwards having made remarks to a white woman and force him at pistol point January 23 to jump to his death from the Tyler Goodwin Bridge into the Alabama River.
- "Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss begins a series of children's books like "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
- In July Lew Hoad wins in men’s singles at Wimbledon, Althea Gibson wins in the women’s singles. She was the first African American to be invited.
- The First Civil Rights Bill since Civil War reconstruction days is passed by Congress on September 9. It establishes a Civil Rights Commission and provides federal safeguards for voting rights. Many Southerners opposed the bill.
- In September West Side Story opens at the Winter Garden Theater. It is based on the 1595 Shakespeare tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet."
- Sputnik 1 is launched by the Soviet Union on October 4. It is the world’s first manmade Earth satellite. Sputnik 1 orbits the Earth once every 90 minutes in an elliptical orbit.
- On October 10 the Milwaukee Braves pulled an upset as they beat the New York Yanks in the World Series, 4 games to 3.
- Sputnik 2 is launched on November 3. On board of the Spacecraft is the first animal to enter space. Laika becomes part of the Soviet space program.
- In December, The Music Man opens at the Majestic Theater, with Robert Preston. Some of the songs include "Seventy-Six Trombones," "Gary, Indiana," and "Till There Was You."
- Diesel power on U.S. railroads takes the place of steam power, which has been used for many railroads in the years before.
- Control Data Corp. is organized to produce computers designed by Minneapolis engineer-mathematician Seymour R Cray, whose Model 1604 will be one of the first transistorized computers. The 6600 will be a mainstay of atomic energy laboratories and other scientific research labs.
- Eli Lilly introduces propoxyphene as an alternative to the opiate codeine. Opiate codeine was used before as a pain-killer, but had its side-effects. Propoxyphene had better effects and less side-effects.
- Prednisone is given to arthritis patients. The medicine is used to reduce the swelling.
- The Sweet'N Low company began developing its sugar replacement products.
- Motown Records is founded by Berry Gordy Jr. who invested $700 to start a recording company. The Miracles, with Smokey Robinson, was one of Motown's best groups.
30th Annual Academy Awards
Best Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
Best Actress: Joanne Woodward, The Three Faces of Eve
Best Actor: Alec Guinness, The Bridge on the River KwaiEmmy Awards
Best Drama: Gunsmoke
Best Comedy: Phil Silvers Show