December 31, 1955
By the winter of 1955, Eisenhower was in the White House and the federal minimum wage stood at $0.75/hr — the Soviet Union was proposing a freeze on arms levels and pushing for a United Nations ban on nuclear weapons, signaling that Cold War tensions remained very much at the center of global affairs. On television, Americans were tuning in to "The $64,000 Question," the quiz show that had become a national obsession, while at the movies, the low-budget drama "Marty" was earning best picture at the Oscars and proving that small, character-driven stories could beat out Hollywood spectacle. On the sports field, the Cleveland Browns claimed the NFL championship, and on January 17, the USS Nautilus left Groton, Connecticut, becoming the first nuclear-powered submarine to put to sea — a milestone in both naval history and the practical application of atomic energy.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — December 31, 1955
NY Times Headlines — Week of December 31, 1955
Goal Of Freeing Satellite Lands Restated By U. S.; Eisenhower And Dulles Back Avowal That Liberation Is A Continuing Policy Reply Given To Soviet President'S Words On Justice For Oppressed Recalled -Political Timing Noted Satellite Pledge Renewed By U. S.
Bulganin Backs Idea Of New Talk By Big 4'S Chiefs; But Says It Would Be Useful Only If Interests Of All Parties Were Heeded Denies War Is Excluded Calls Atom Threat No Bar-- Yet Soviet Leader Sees Geneva Spirit Persisting Restrained Note Evident Bulganin Backs Idea Of New Talk White House Is Skeptical
Israel Sets Unified Policy, Bars Preventive War Idea; Ben-Gurion And Sharett To Speak Today In The Face Of Arab Arms Increase-- Conflict Is Held Not Inevitable Israel Sets New Unified Policy, Rejects Idea Of Preventive War New Clash In The Negev
Congress Is Back In Session Today; Wary On Politics;; Election-Year Session Finds The Rival Leaders Cautious Rather Than Belligerent Eisenhower Is The Key His Decision On Race Could Affect Democratic Moves And Hold On Own Aides Tone Due To Sharpen Congress Is Back In Session Today President'S Message Thursday
World Events — December 1955
Time Person of the Year — 1955
On the radio
Billboard Charts — December 31, 1955
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1955–56 Season
Emmy Winners — 1955
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — December 31, 1955
On the field
Sports Champions — December 31, 1955
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