The Highlights of 1957: A Year That Shaped the Future

1957

1957 (MCMLVII in Roman Numerals) was the year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1957th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations.

Is 1957 a year special to you? Discover what 1957 was famous for, Key World Leaders of 1957, 1957 Time’s Person of the Year, the #1 song, movie and book in 1957, how old is someone born in 1957 and what Chinese zodiac sign is associated to 1957.

On this page we will address all your questions and curiosities about 1957 to help you enjoy your trip down memory lane.

history

What was 1957 known for ?

  • 1957 was a year to remember in a number of fields. In literature, for example, Jack Kerouac’s On the Road was published. This work was a major piece in the Beat genre and sketches out the beginning of the Counterculture movement in the United States.
  • This was also the year that Ayn Rand’s most famous work, Atlas Shrugged, was published. A famously divisive work, this was undeniably Rand’s greatest and most influential piece.
  • This was an important year for theatre, film, and television as well. In theatre, Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story opened on Broadway. In film, Loving You and Jailhouse Rock were released in the US, starring Elvis Presley. The former of the two was his first starring role. This year was also when The Bridge on the River Kwaipremiered in the United Kingdom. The film would go on to win Best Picture at the 30th Academy Awards in 1958.
  • In television, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella was telecast live on CBS. This year, CBS’s The Seven Lively Arts presented Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker, for the first time on American television. 1957 was also the year that Leave It to Beaver premiered. The show would attain cultural icon status, with its idealized portrayal of suburban life in America.
  • There were some major cultural events that occurred this year, too. This was the year that Elvis Presley bought Graceland, his famous estate in Memphis, Tennessee. The Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles this year, bringing the legendary franchise to California. 1957 was also the year that Paul McCartney and John Lennon met for the first time in Liverpool, England. The meeting occurred three years before The Beatles were formed. In space exploration, this was the year that the Soviets launched Sputnik 2. This mission launched the first animal to orbit the Earth, a dog, called Laika.
  • The world population in 1957 was 2,873,306,090 people according to data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. This figure includes both urban and rural populations. The urban population at that time accounted for 32.0% of the total population, which is roughly 919.5 million individuals.The annual population change in 1957 was an increase of +50.8 million people, representing a percentage increase of +1.8% over the previous year.The average population density in 1957 was 12 persons per square mile (or 19 persons per square kilometer).

1957 historical events  Famous people born in 1957  Famous deaths in 1957Popular Baby Names in 1957

Your place in the Universe on 1957

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Key World Leaders of 1957

Who was the U.S. President in 1957?

In 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican) was the President of the United States. His term spanned from January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961. During his presidency, he created the Interstate Highway System and strengthened NATO during the Cold War.

Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1957?

In 1957, Sir Anthony Eden (Conservative) was the UK Prime Minister until January 09, 1957; on January 10, 1957 Harold Macmillan (Conservative) was appointed as the new UK Prime Minister.

Who was the Pope in 1957?

The leader of the Catholic Church in 1957 was Pope Pius XII who had held the papacy since 1939. During his papacy, he led the Church through World War II, maintaining neutrality while secretly aiding Jewish refugees and opposing totalitarianism.

world population

1957: Who was Time's Person of the Year?


Nikita Khrushchev
In 1957, Nikita Khrushchev was named by TIME magazine as Person of the Year. In 1957, Khrushchev consolidated his leadership of the Soviet Union, surviving a plot to dismiss him by members of the Presidium, and leading the Soviet Union into the Space Race with the launch of Sputnik 1.
vinyl songs

What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1957?

The number 1 song in the USA in 1957, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was So Rare by Jimmy Dorsey

What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1957?

The number 1 song in the UK in 1957, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was All Shook Up by Elvis Presley

cinema movies

What was the most popular movie in 1957?

The most popular movie and box office hit was 3:10 to Yuma by James Mangold

3:10 to Yuma
cinema movies

What was the best selling book in 1957?

On The Road
cinema movies

How old is someone born in 1957?

Someone born in 1957 is 68 years old this year.

Discover 1957 calendar

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Rooster chinese zodiac sign

What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1957?


According to the Chinese Zodiac and Astrology 1957 was the Year of the Rooster.

Discover Zodiac Sign Characteristics and Personality Traits of people born under the Rooster sign.