April 2, 1955
Gas cost $0.29 a gallon in the spring of 1955, and the Dow Jones stood at 488 — a newly independent Austria signed a freedom treaty guaranteeing its permanent neutrality, marking a rare diplomatic breakthrough in the early Cold War. On screen and on the radio, Delbert Mann's film "Marty" had just won the Oscar for Best Picture, and Bill Hayes was dominating the charts with "The Ballad of Davy Crockett." In the NBA, the Syracuse Nationals defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons to claim the championship, and on April 15, Ray Kroc opened the first franchised McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, laying the foundation for what would become the largest fast food chain in the world.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — April 2, 1955
NY Times Headlines — Week of April 2, 1955
Vietnam Blames French In Crisis; Vietnam Blames French In Crisis
2 Israelis Killed In Egyptian Clash; 2 Israelis Killed In Egyptian Clash
Wilson, Radford Adamant On Plan To Cut Manpower; Wilson Adamant On Military Cuts Urge 'Tremendous' Defense Strength Be Forged Using Weapons As Well As Men Further Slash Barred Admiral Reassures Senators --Secretary Warns Arms Costs Will Stay High
Vietnam Dissidents Give Warning To U.S.; U.S. Gets Warning On Vietnam Role
U. S. And Russians In Missile Race, Twining Asserts; U.S. And Reds In Missile Race, Senate Group Told By Twining He Tells Senators The Soviet Air Power Is No. 1 Threat --Cites Planes And Range Ridgway 'Good Soldier' Says He Feels It Would Be Inappropriate For Him To Repeat Objection To Cut
World Events — April 1955
Time Person of the Year — 1955
On the radio
Billboard Charts — April 2, 1955
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1954–55 Season
Emmy Winners — 1955
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — April 2, 1955
On the field
Sports Champions — April 2, 1955
Interested in postcards, posters or t-shirts? Leave your email and we’ll let you know.