July 4, 1955
The federal minimum wage stood at $0.75/hr that summer of 1955, and the Dow Jones sat at 488 — the United States was in the middle of a stable postwar economic expansion, with full employment and consumer spending both running high. On screen and over the airwaves, audiences were watching the quiz sensation "The $64,000 Question" dominate television ratings, while Bill Haley & His Comets held the top spot on the charts with "Rock Around the Clock," a song that was beginning to signal a genuine shift in popular music taste. On August 27, the first edition of the "Guinness Book of Records" was published in London, creating what would become one of the bestselling reference books in history and giving the world a single authoritative place to measure human and natural achievement.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — July 4, 1955
NY Times Headlines — Week of July 4, 1955
Democrats Fear Johnson Illness Will Hurt Party; Believe He May Not Be Able To Act As Senate Leader In '56 Presidential Year Johnson Illness Disturbs Party
Western Exports To Soviet In 1954 At Post-War Peak; But Trade With Russia And Satellites Showed A Drop Later, Stassen Reports Western Exports To Soviet At Peak
Eisenhower Urges New G.O.P. Effort On 5 Major Bills; Lists Reserves, 'Peace Ship,' Roads, Housing And Funds For School Construction Democrats Set Plans Clements Says Party Adheres To Johnson Policy -- Senate Prays For Ailing Texan President Pushes Five Major Bills
Laos Charges Attacks By Reds; Sees Indochina Truce Violated; Attacks By Reds Charged By Laos
Dulles' Remarks On Soviet Eased By White House; Press Office Denies Conflict With President'S Views On Russian Strength Dulles' Remarks On Soviet Eased
World Events — July 1955
Time Person of the Year — 1955
On the radio
Billboard Charts — July 4, 1955
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1954–55 Season
Emmy Winners — 1955
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — July 4, 1955
On the field
Sports Champions — July 4, 1955
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