Most Popular Names
Top boys name: Michael, Top girls name: Mary
Mid-20th century U.S. naming trends with Mary, Linda, and Michael dominating
by William Golding
Classic or influential work of mid-20th century literature
First practical photovoltaic cell
Mid-century breakthroughs shaping modern life
by Alfred Hitchcock
Mid-20th century influential or top-grossing film
Republican Party
Postwar prosperity, Interstate highways, Cold War tensions
by Kitty Kallen
Pre-Hot 100 era; top-selling single of the year
Year-End Close
+44% from previous year
Postwar boom & 1960s expansion
Originally wallpaper cleaner, repurposed as modeling clay