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1950s Nostalgia Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
1950s Nostalgia Quizzes, Trivia

1950s Trivia

1950s Trivia Quizzes

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35 1950s quizzes and 350 1950s trivia questions.
1.
  Remembering the 50s - Slang (American)   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Every generation has its own colorful means of expression and the 1950's were no exception. Are you "cats" ready to have a "blast"?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, rblayer, Jan 08 20
Very Easy
rblayer
Jan 08 20
10857 plays
2.
  1950s Fads, Fashion, Events and Pop Culture   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Were you around in the 1950s? Well, I wasn't, but I think they are a pretty cool subject to research. Enjoy my quiz! Oh, and if you would like to know more about the '50s, drop me a note!
Easier, 10 Qns, HappyDaysFan, Jan 08 20
Easier
HappyDaysFan
Jan 08 20
9981 plays
3.
  Early Blooming Boomers: The Early Years (American)   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you were born in the first wave of the American baby boom between 1946 and 1954, you might find familiar material here. If not, it may still be worth the challenge. And don't forget to listen for the tom-toms.
Tough, 10 Qns, uglybird, Mar 31 23
Tough
uglybird
Mar 31 23
4846 plays
4.
A Black Forest Love Story in Germany 19501959 It's 1950 and handsome Hank has just met his German fraulein. Let's move with our fictional couple through this decade in Westdeutschland (West Germany) - all in glorious color. Get your filled eggs and the gherkins ready and start playing!
Average, 10 Qns, heidi66, Jul 23 21
Average
heidi66 gold member
Jul 23 21
286 plays
5.
  Remembering the 50s - 1956 Americana   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It was 1956, and as Soviet troops marched into Hungary, Americans were listening to Dean Martin's "Memories are Made of This" and "Around the World in 80 Days" won the Academy Award.
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Mar 31 14
Average
rblayer
6188 plays
6.
  Remembering the 50s - American Consumer Products   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Historians and "baby boomers" should have no problem answering these questions about American consumer products of the "Fabulous Fifties".
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Mar 17 24
Average
rblayer
Mar 17 24
6946 plays
7.
  1951: A Review (All American)   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
What do you know about the events of the middle of the twentieth century?
Tough, 10 Qns, shanteyman, Feb 13 08
Tough
shanteyman
2330 plays
8.
  The 1950s as I Remember Them   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is representative of the 1950's I vividly remember. Mostly good, mostly fun, but some bad stuff, too!
Easier, 10 Qns, Pick61, Jun 16 20
Easier
Pick61
Jun 16 20
2483 plays
9.
  An American Baby Boomer's Weekend   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Millennials and Gen Xers may have difficulty with this quiz about life before cable TV, cell phones and the internet. Follow a typical Saturday in the life of BB the Baby Boomer.
Easier, 10 Qns, pscottsa, Apr 24 15
Easier
pscottsa gold member
1756 plays
10.
  Do You Remember 1956?   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Do you remember the year of the Suez crisis, the year the Soviets invaded Hungary? It was the year Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier, and the year most of us first heard of Brigitte Bardot. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, minch, May 02 17
Average
minch gold member
7044 plays
trivia question Quick Question
For what disease did Jonas Salk produce a vaccine?

From Quiz "Do You Remember 1955?"




11.
  Remembering the 50s - Headlines   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The decade following World War II was more than "hula hoops" and "poodle skirts". The world was turbulent and dangerous, as the Cold War placed the planet on the brink of nuclear destruction. Here are some of the newsmakers of the 1950s.
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Jun 09 22
Average
rblayer
Jun 09 22
5130 plays
12.
  Year in Review 1959   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As the proud owner of a classic 1959 Chevrolet I thought I'd do a quiz about what was going on in that year.
Difficult, 10 Qns, shanteyman, Jun 29 08
Difficult
shanteyman
2045 plays
13.
  Do You Remember 1955?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Another "Do You Remember?" quiz. Lots of it you won't remember, but many things happened that had long lasting results, such as Ray Kroc becoming involved with the MacDonald brothers. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, minch, Aug 07 19
Average
minch gold member
Aug 07 19
5423 plays
14.
  Do You Remember 1953?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Do you remember 1953? If you don't you must know something about happenings in that year. Do this quiz and maybe surprise yourself.
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Jun 18 12
Tough
minch gold member
5261 plays
15.
  Remembering the 50s   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A hodge podge of events from the 50s.
Average, 10 Qns, maggielouise, May 17 12
Average
maggielouise
5756 plays
16.
  Stayin' Alive in '55   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
1955 was an eventful year. The Misplaced take you back in time and pose questions on a wide array of topics, all somehow connected to 1955.
Tough, 10 Qns, thula2, Nov 03 15
Tough
thula2
907 plays
17.
  1957 - It Was A Very Good Year   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about world events in 1957 - the year of my birth. The quiz is dedicated to all those on FT who will still be nifty at fifty in 2007.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Supersal1, Apr 05 07
Difficult
Supersal1
2977 plays
18.
  Remembering the 50s - 1957 Americana   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It was 1957 and Russia started the 'space race' with Sputnik. At home, Elvis dominated the record charts and Americans flocked to see "The Ten Commandments".
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Dec 22 13
Average
rblayer
3641 plays
19.
  Remembering the 50s - 1959 Americana    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As the innocent "Fabulous Fifties" drew to a close, America was on the verge of the dawn of "Camelot" and the turbulent 1960s.
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Dec 06 10
Average
rblayer
3337 plays
20.
  Do You Remember 1954?   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many of you won't personally remember this year, but you maybe surprised at what you do know. Have a go!
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Dec 04 15
Tough
minch gold member
4300 plays
21.
  Do You Remember 1952?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you remember 1952? If you weren't around then just make some educated guesses! Off you go down memory lane!
Average, 10 Qns, minch, Dec 10 12
Average
minch gold member
4043 plays
22.
  Do You Remember 1950?   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Maybe you weren't around in 1950, but even if you weren't you may well be able to answer some, if not all of these questions. If you were around then - what do you remember?
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Mar 29 12
Tough
minch gold member
4205 plays
23.
  Do You Remember The 1950s?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
How well do you remember the 1950s? The Rosenbergs were executed. The Egyptian monarchy was overthrown. The Montgomery Bus Boycott took place. Khrushchev visited the US. Take this quiz to find out what else you remember. Good luck!
Average, 10 Qns, arsalanrizvi, Oct 11 13
Average
arsalanrizvi
4467 plays
24.
  Remembering the 50s - 1954 Americana    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It was 1954 and Ernest Hemingway won the Nobel Prize, "On the Waterfront" the Best Picture Oscar and everyone loved Lucy.
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Aug 17 13
Average
rblayer
2417 plays
25.
  Remembering the 50s - 1958 Americana   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It was 1958 and America launched and orbited the satellite Explorer I, thus closing the 'missile gap' with the Soviet Union. Life was good.
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Sep 01 09
Average
rblayer
3274 plays
26.
  Remembering the 50s - 1952 Americana    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
1952 was the year Elizabeth II became Queen of England and Jonas Salk began testing his polio vaccine on his family and himself.
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Aug 06 23
Average
rblayer
Aug 06 23
2139 plays
27.
  Do You Remember 1958?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Another 'do you remember?' quiz. Hope you like it as much as the others. Happy memories - if you go back that far! Let me know if there's a special year you'd like a quiz about.
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Feb 10 24
Tough
minch gold member
Feb 10 24
3498 plays
28.
  Remembering the 50s - 1951 Americana    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
As the Korean War was raging, the U.S. detonated a hydrogen bomb and the Air Force ordered B-52 bombers. Despite all this, life went on in 1951 America.
Average, 10 Qns, rblayer, Jun 26 12
Average
rblayer
1957 plays
29.
  Do You Remember 1959?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
1959 was the year that Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th and 50th states. It was the year of the 'Twenty-One' quiz show scandal. What else happened?
Difficult, 10 Qns, minch, Aug 29 13
Difficult
minch gold member
3943 plays
30.
  Remembering the 50s - 1950 Americana    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A new decade dawned in America, beginning what was to be known as "the Fabulous Fifties", each year being full of memorable people, places, things and events. This quiz series begins with the year 1950.
Tough, 10 Qns, rblayer, Nov 29 11
Tough
rblayer
1705 plays
31.
  Do You Remember 1951?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
You may not remember 1951, but you may well know about events that happened that year. Let's see if you do!
Tough, 10 Qns, minch, Apr 26 06
Tough
minch gold member
2302 plays
32.
  Do You Remember 1957?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Do you remember 1957? Even if you don't there's a good chance you know the answers to at least some of these questions.
Difficult, 10 Qns, minch, Jul 11 12
Difficult
minch gold member
3311 plays
33.
  Remembering the 50s - 1955 Americana    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
It was 1955, and what a difference a decade had made! West Germany was admitted into N.A.T.O. and Juan Peron was ousted in a military coup while Americans first saw Elvis and McDonald's.
Tough, 10 Qns, rblayer, Aug 02 14
Tough
rblayer
1453 plays
34.
  Remembering the 50s - 1953 Americana    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The year was 1953 and Americans saw the death of Soviet leader Josef Stalin and of atomic spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg; he by an alleged stroke, they by the electric chair.
Difficult, 10 Qns, rblayer, Apr 26 15
Difficult
rblayer
1260 plays
35.
  1950 - That Was the Year    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some events, major and not so major, from that year.
Difficult, 10 Qns, Fiachra, Jun 09 23
Difficult
Fiachra
Jun 09 23
1653 plays
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1950s Trivia Questions

1. The Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation, and Mutual Assistance was formed in 1955. What is the most common name for this treaty?

From Quiz
Stayin' Alive in '55

Answer: The Warsaw Pact

Led by the USSR during the Cold War, the Warsaw Pact consisted of the People's Republic of Albania, People's Republic of Bulgaria, Czechoslovak Republic, German Democratic Republic, People's Republic of Hungary, People's Republic of Poland and the People's Republic of Romania. One of the reasons for forming the Warsaw Pact was the inclusion of West Germany in NATO earlier in 1955, but the main reason was that the USSR wanted to keep its control over Eastern and Central European forces. Ironically, the Warsaw Pact's biggest military actions were against some of its own members; against Hungary in 1956 and in 1968 against Czechoslovakia. Albania withdrew from the Pact in 1968. When the Romanian Communist government was brought down by a revolution in 1989, this ended Romania's membership. Due to the reunification of Germany in 1990, East Germany left the pact. In 1991 at a meeting of the USSR and the remaining members, the Warsaw Pact ended. The USSR itself also dissolved in 1991. Question submitted by wenray.

2. It's Saturday and BB wakes up hungry. He "knows his oats" and hurries to the kitchen. What does BB have for breakfast?

From Quiz An American Baby Boomer's Weekend

Answer: Cheerios

CheeriOats were introduced by General Mills in 1941 and renamed Cheerios in 1945. The breakfast cereal remained unchanged until 1976 when Cinnamon Nut Cheerios came out. "If you know your oats you too will go for nutritious, delicious Cheerios."

3. This World War II general was elected president of the USA in 1952 and served in the White House for the rest of the decade. Who was he?

From Quiz The 1950s as I Remember Them

Answer: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower was the 34th president. He ended the Korean War, helped hold inflation to nothing and oversaw the building of an amazing interstate highway system. He was "Ike" to millions. He passed away in 1969.

4. The United States' first weather satellite was launched in February, 1959. What was the name of the weather satellite?

From Quiz Year in Review 1959

Answer: Vanguard 2

The first weather satellite was Vanguard 2. It was launched on February 17, 1959. It was intended to measure cloud cover and resistance but a poor axis of rotation kept it from collecting a notable amount of useful data. It was soon replaced by more sophisticated technology. In January, 1958, Explorer 1 was the first satellite launched by the United States. The Russians beat the United States by launching Sputnik in October 1957. Telstar was launched in 1962 and was the first active telecommunication satellite. It was built by engineers at Bell Telephone Laboratories. On August 12, 1960, the United States launched Echo 1, a passive reflector satellite with no amplification possibilities. The technology was ineffective and it was soon abandoned in favor of active systems. Echo 1 was visible to the eye because of its shiny surface.

5. Which general was relieved of his post as Commander of United Nations forces in Korea in 1951?

From Quiz 1951: A Review (All American)

Answer: Douglas MacArthur

General MacArthur had been successful in retaking Seoul from the North Koreans in 1950. He then wanted to expand the operations on the Korean peninsula to include an invasion of Manchuria. President Truman expressly forbade the action, fearing it would lead to escalation and draw Communist China and the Soviets into another World War. Despite their differences MacArthur was treated to a ticker tape parade in New York when he returned from South Korea and retired. Admiral Chester Nimitz was in the Pacific theater of operations during WWII. Dwight Eisenhower was a WWII general who would win the presidential election replacing Truman. George Patton was killed in an auto accident shortly after WWII while still in Europe.

6. On November 3 Laika became the first dog in space. What is the English meaning of the name Laika?

From Quiz 1957 - It Was A Very Good Year

Answer: Barker

Laika was originally thought to have died after four days in space. In 2002 it was revealed that she died about five hours into the flight from stress and overheating.

7. One of my earliest recollections is that of sitting in the kitchen listening to "The Hit Parade" on the radio. Who was the principal sponsor of the show?

From Quiz Early Blooming Boomers: The Early Years (American)

Answer: Lucky Strike Cigarettes

"The Hit Parade" was on radio from 1935 to 1955. The program announcer assured us that the show's top ten list was "an accurate, authentic tabulation of America's taste in popular music". Sheet music sales, record sales and even jukebox choices were all evaluated to generate the list, but the exact methodology was never revealed. It was after one of these shows that one of the greatest tragedies of my early years occurred: I broke the 78 rpm disc, on which was recorded one of my father's most beloved songs, "Pistol Packin' Mama".

8. What was the original name of Denny's Restaurants?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1959 Americana

Answer: Danny's Donuts

In 1953 Harold Butler founded Danny's Donuts in Lakewood, California. The next year the menu expanded to include sandwiches and other entrees and it was renamed Danny's Coffee Shops. In 1959 the chain was renamed Denny's Restaurants, with 20 stores by year's end.

9. The John Birch Society was formed in December of 1958 in Indianapolis, Indiana. What type of organization is it?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1958 Americana

Answer: Anti-communist organization

The society was established by Robert Welch, and named for Captain John Birch, a member of the China Air Task Force who was murdered by Chinese Communists in 1945.

10. In what American city were federal troops needed to implement court-ordered school desegregation?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1957 Americana

Answer: Little Rock, Arkansas

After local authorities refused to implement court-ordered desegregation, President Eisenhower ordered federal troops to do the job. He stated: "The Federal Constitution will be upheld by me, by every means at my command."

11. What toothpaste's advertisement claimed: "You'll wonder where the yellow went"?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1956 Americana

Answer: Pepsodent

The full jingle went: "You'll wonder where the yellow went, when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent".

12. Who was Jonas Salk?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1955 Americana

Answer: Doctor

In 1955 Jonas Salk, after many years of research, found a vaccine that gave effective protection from the polio virus. Dr. Salk endeared himself to the public by refusing to patent the vaccine as he had no desire to profit personally from his discovery.

13. The 1954 World Series was broadcast in color for the first time. Who won?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1954 Americana

Answer: New York Giants

The New York Giants swept the Cleveland Indians in four straight games. The only New York Yankee getting any attention was Joe DiMaggio who had married Marilyn Monroe in January and announced their divorce in October.

14. What plastic-bodied automobile came out in 1953?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1953 Americana

Answer: Chevrolet Corvette

The first production Corvette rolled off the assembly line on June 30, 1953 at a plant near Flint, Michigan. Its sticker price was just over $3000. The Corvette was the first series-production car with a fiberglass body.

15. What humor magazine debuted in May, 1952?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1952 Americana

Answer: Mad

Alfred E. Neuman, the not-too-bright looking gapped-tooth boy, did not appear on the cover of "Mad" until 1954.

16. What did an east coast politician and a west coast politician do for the first time on November 10, 1951?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1951 Americana

Answer: Used a direct-dial coast-to-coast telephone service

Mayor M. Leslie Denning of Englewood, New Jersey called Mayor Frank Osborn in Alameda, California, initiating direct-dial, coast-to-coast telephone services.

17. What has become widely known as the first major American credit card (though in fact it was a charge card)?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - 1950 Americana

Answer: Diners Club

Frank McNamara was dining in a New York restaurant and discovered that he had forgotten his wallet. His wife paid the bill but he resolved to never have to face this embarrassment again. The next year McNamara created Diners Club and offered it to 200 personal friends and acquaintances with the first card being issued on May 13, 1950. By the end of the year, 20,000 people carried Diners Club cards. Unlike with modern credit cards, the outstanding balance had to be paid in full once a month.

18. 1952. "Elizabeth Becomes Queen". Who was her late father?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - Headlines

Answer: George VI

King George had come to the throne following the abdication of his brother Edward VIII, who gave up the crown to marry an American divorcee Wallis Simpson, and they became the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

19. What products did Hazel Bishop make?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s - American Consumer Products

Answer: Cosmetics

Hazel Bishop (1906-1998), developed and marketed a "kissable lipstick" in the early 1950s. She was a Standard Oil chemist during World War II, working on a special fuel for airplanes. At night she experimented to end lipstick stains and successfully produced a smear-proof, long-lasting lipstick, and formed Hazel Bishop, Inc.

20. Who was the singer or band whose first recorded song was "That's All Right, Mama"?

From Quiz 1950s Fads, Fashion, Events and Pop Culture

Answer: Elvis Presley

It was Elvis. He went to Sun Recording Studios in Memphis, TN, in July, 1954 to record blues-singer Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's song "That's All Right, Mama" (which he recorded in 1946).

21. What famous singer/actor, star of the original "Jazz Singer", died in that year?

From Quiz 1950 - That Was the Year

Answer: Al Jolson

This movie, "The Jazz Singer", made in 1927, established "talkies". The first talking movie was "Der Brandstifter" ("The Arsonist"), made in Germany in 1922.

22. 1951. General _________________________ was relieved of his position as commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces in Korea.

From Quiz Do You Remember The 1950s?

Answer: Douglas MacArthur & MacArthur & Douglas McArthur & McArthur

Douglas MacArthur wanted the US to attack China which backed communist North Korea. Because of public criticism of this idea, president Harry Truman fired him and called him back home, where he received a hero's welcome.

23. What was the name of the first satellite sent into space?

From Quiz Do You Remember 1957?

Answer: Sputnik

Sputnik I was launched on 4 October 1957, just ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Russian Revolution. Laika, a dog, was the first creature in space. Explorer I was the first US satellite.

24. In 1954 the French were defeated in Indochina. Later in the year they were fighting in another of their colonies. Which was it?

From Quiz Do You Remember 1954?

Answer: Algeria

Algeria finally became independent in 1962.

25. Who refused to give up her seat to a white man?

From Quiz Remembering the 50s

Answer: Rosa Parks

On December 1st, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama.

26. Which Tennessee Williams play had its first performance in 1950?

From Quiz Do You Remember 1950?

Answer: The Rose Tattoo

Cat 1955 Streetcar 1947 Menagerie 1944

27. Which former British prime minister returned to power in 1951?

From Quiz Do You Remember 1951?

Answer: Winston Churchill

28. Which television program would you NOT have been able to watch in 1956 in the USA?

From Quiz Do You Remember 1956?

Answer: Bonanza

Bonanza was first seen in 1959. The other programs all premiered in 1956.

29. The first issue of Playboy came out in 1953. Who was on the cover?

From Quiz Do You Remember 1953?

Answer: Marilyn Monroe & Monroe

There was no date on the cover as Hugh Hefner wasn't sure there would be a second issue!

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