1 HOUR of the 1950s in COLOR (Year-End Extended Play)

Please enjoy this FULL HOUR of vintage color photos from the 1950s!
[NOTE: For regular viewers of The History Lounge: this is a sort-of "greatest hits" compilation of some of the earliest videos on this channel with updated music. My goal was to create a full one-hour escape into the 1950s for anyone who wanted to watch for that long.]
Today we celebrate the start of 2024 by taking a nostalgic trip back to the vibrant and iconic era of the 1950s in America. As we embrace the new year with hope and anticipation, let's look back at a collection of stunning, vintage color photographs that capture the essence of a decade known for its distinctive charm and cultural richness.
In this exclusive presentation, we will explore HUNDREDS of carefully curated images that bring to life the everyday moments, fashion, cars, and undeniable spirit of 1950s America. From the bustling city streets to serene suburban life, these photographs are a portal to a time that shaped modern America.
As we bid farewell to 2023 and step into 2024, these images not only serve as a reminder of our country's vibrant past but also inspire us to carry forward the positive aspects of those times into our future. Join us in this colorful and heartwarming journey, where each photograph tells a story, evoking a sense of nostalgia and a reminder of the simpler, yet significant moments of life.
So, sit back, relax, and before we jump into 2024, let's rewind the clock to a bygone era that continues to fascinate and inspire us today.

[@paulbroderick8438]

Not a tattoo or cell phone in sight. Made my day big time!

[@recordcastle1118]

Just cigarettes everywhere.

[@simoneleles5209]

​@recordcastle1118 Better than hard drugs, I guess...

[@j2s5h0]

True, but I bet their were plenty of Tattoos in 1950s San Francisco. It was still a navy town back then.

[@Diana-yn2ho]

@@j2s5h0- It was usually men, who were in the military or sailors who had some tattoos, not all of course. Now, it is women, teenagers, you name. . . tattooed all over.

[@JeezWhiz1]

And no out of control politician running for POTUS

[@maryvandeusen5554]

I was born in 1951. This was my childhood. It was wonderful.

[@fob1xxl]

NO WONDER I HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME AS A KID ! I JUST TURNED 79 !

[@marknewton6984]

Me too😎!

[@Roger-gm9tl]

You got that right, early 60s Uncle Sam wants you boy, if I could, do it all over again, yea I'm that old !

[@marknewton6984]

We had the Best Times😎!

[@aucourant9998]

I'm not even American and I feel nostalgic looking back at these times. The lovely cars, the beautiful clothes, pride in being well groomed, people had good manners, the sense of optimism and of well-being. I was especially nostalgic looking at the holiday resorts and the hotels, it was a very different world back then.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Thanks for commenting - That "nostalgic feeling" is exactly what I was going for here. I'm glad you liked it!

[@j.g.8494]

I'm not American either. I was a boy and a teenager in the 1950s. Your comment about America in the 1950s is exactly how I feel about that era

[@Jaffar540]

I am from Singapore and I grew up during the 1950s'. I am now in my mid 70s (74 exactly). You summed the era of the 1950s so well. I have wonderful friends in America, mostly book-lovers. May all those wonderful people who are no longer alive rest in peace till eternity.

[@garyfrancis6193]

And respect for themselves and others.

[@thecapone45]

Not American either and I love watching these. Gives me an example to love towards and aspire to. In my own little ways, I try to conduct myself in those polite manners we see.

[@user-jn2wx7db1c]

The young growing up in a depression then fought as young adults fighting a world war deserved to have a good life in the 50s & 60s. THEY were the best of America

[@JeezWhiz1]

Not for blacks in the south especially!

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

The young individuals who grew up during the Great Depression and then fought in World War II certainly went through great hardships and sacrifices. Many of them displayed immense courage, resilience, and dedication to their country. It is understandable to believe that they deserved to have a good life in the following years. The 1950s and 1960s were a period of significant economic growth and prosperity in the United States. After the war, the government implemented various policies to stimulate the economy and provide opportunities for returning soldiers. This included the GI Bill, which offered education benefits, low-interest home loans, and job training programs. These initiatives aimed to ensure a smooth transition for veterans to civilian life and help them rebuild their futures. Moreover, this generation played a crucial role in shaping the post-war society. They actively contributed to the development of America's infrastructure, industrialization, and technological advancements. Their efforts resulted in the economic boom witnessed during this period, which created numerous job opportunities and financial stability. They fostered a sense of community, innovation, and progress that defined the era. This generation's dedication and sacrifice did indeed contribute significantly to the growth and success of the nation. They demonstrated the best of America through their resilience and commitment to their country during tough times. Consequently, they rightfully deserved the chance to enjoy the benefits of a thriving economy and a period of relative peace and stability. However, it is important to recognize that not everyone experienced the same level of prosperity during this time. The benefits and opportunities were not equally distributed, and marginalized communities still faced significant challenges and inequalities. While the 1950s and 1960s may have been a generally prosperous era, it is vital to acknowledge and address the limitations and shortcomings in achieving true equality and justice for all.

[@jamesbranham2217]

​@@JeezWhiz1true the Democrats kept them in the back of the bus for as long as they could

[@maryvandeusen5554]

@@JeezWhiz1. But because of white Northerners (two of whom were my great great grandfathers), they were no longer living on plantations. The fifties were a transition era, sadly, but stop blaming all of America for evil. Study history because your perspective is unbalanced based on your lack of experience and knowledge.

[@chrishiggins8614]

Black income was rising in the 1950's.

[@mikenuyen4441]

Everything looks clean. No graffiti, plywood windows, nor tents or tarps.

[@marknewton6984]

No drugs or homeless...

[@TyonGera]

@@marknewton6984 The CIA and big businesses ruined this country.

[@trevorjameson3213]

Before the country tuned ghetto and became a cesspool of street bums, thugs and gangs.

[@marilynnjacobsen1077]

No credit cards. If you wanted to have a life and eat you had to work. Teenagers worked and didn't expect adults wages so they could learn new skills.

[@chicagolee]

Born in 46, I remember this America. Wish we still had it.

[@annabellesnightmares]

I wasn't born till the year 2000, I don't have a clue but. I am enjoying this though.

[@johnnyjrotten59]

more cool cars , less communists

[@robinsydney140]

@@annabellesnightmares More respect, more privacy, more optimism, more genuineness, more peace of mind, more zest for life, more accountability, no weirdness, no fear for the future, authorities were there to protect the innocent, you were considered innocent till proven guilty, so much good stuff.

[@daisydukes8252]

We gave it away to those who did not build it. No longer is our country clean and safe.

[@garyfrancis6193]

Why did it change?

[@lesliephillpott8989]

What a beautiful place america looked just 70 years ago.

[@masudaharris6435]

I was born in 1954 so I may be one of the young 'uns here. Loved those old 50s cars.

[@dash-qe3ul]

When every store was different and you had so many choices.

[@Johnnycdrums]

And the Gaylord.

[@colecash2481]

I'm 48 years old and if I had a time machine the 50s is where I'd be.

[@oldionus]

I'm 71 and grew up then. There were good points. BUT. The air was chokingly polluted, racism and anti-gay discrimination was dominant everywhere in America, and the cars were fabulous looking but they were unreliable death traps. There's good AND bad.

[@randymalm6003]

I wish America was this way again

[@holoholohaolenokaoi2299]

Liberals have destroyed everything good and holsum in America.

[@lukestuningshop8467]

We've let to much trash in

[@glx68]

Me too. That's for sure!🎉

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

To SOME extent yes and to SOME no. Hmmmmm, 🤔🤔🤔🤔America’s way of thinking about women and race.

[@glx68]

@@JESUSISLORDforever888 Yes you're right. It's a very important fact . We're all members of GOD'S family and we all have to work that these conditions will get better, also in our days; such an important task for our society! GOD bless you😇

[@user-uk2ji1yw5t]

It would be nice to go back to those times when life was so much simpler. I was born in '46.

[@JeezWhiz1]

How about life then for black American citizens in the south at that time who wanted to do something as simple as to vote???

[@markrhuett]

And the Democrats are still at it. ​@@JeezWhiz1

[@juanitoviejo2121]

A Trumpster's favorite fantasy !

[@katpoohtoo]

@@JeezWhiz1 How are things now?

[@JeezWhiz1]

@@katpoohtoo much better for me and it has not a whole lot to do with who is president. I made my bones through the rule of republicans and democrats. As a matter of fact my stocks & mutual funds did the best they’d ever done, EVER, when Clinton had an intern under his desk 😂

[@roccoritorto4965]

I was 19 years old with a brand new 1956. Pontiac n. Cruzing a round with my buddy's I am a retired truck 🚛 driver cost to cost now 87 n loving this show thank you so much

[@garyfrancis6193]

Coast to coast?

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

Does spelling get worse with age or something?

[@j.g.8494]

I'm not American. I love the way America and the American people looked in the 1950s - and up to the mid 1960s. In the 1950s America was at the peak of its power and prestige. People all over the world - including me as a young boy - looked in awe and envy at the American way of life; the glamor of Hollywood movies; the new rock'n'roll culture; the fabulous cars from Detroit; and the New York skyscrapers, which were unique at that time.

[@marknewton6984]

You have no idea.

[@michasuda5481]

The USA had a completely different migration policy then. Now America is associated with the homeless, drug addicts and violence.

[@Rob774]

Wake up. The Americans from this era would have hated you and blamed you for their problems.

[@JeezWhiz1]

The American way of life you eschew wasn't that great if you were a black person in dixie states.

[@janetphillips2875]

​​. Yes, the black folk were treated awful bad back then. But their grandkids are making up for it, huh?

[@robdejong397]

Very nice all the pictures. I am 63 year old and live in the Netherlands. I love this America with beautiful People, Cars and streets.

[@lukestuningshop8467]

yep, now it's a cesspool.

[@davidelmore1668]

Thanks for the memories! Back when the majority of the people knew what was right and wrong.

[@franklinmills1756]

And those same people were ok with Jim Crow.

[@rgray3173]

And you are ok with BLM. End of story.@@franklinmills1756

[@SFBenjaminK]

WATCHING THIS , realize how America, country, Government & Democracy got corrupted to the teeth...decade from now gonna be like 3RD world country like Venezuela , U can't even walk in streets anymore sooo Sad, if now these days call it Democracy & Presidents then i piss on it....those mother fathers send billions after billions to other countries & illegal immigrants welfare checks & healthcare & millions gi4es there every month, why not , they know is dumbass country, inside fix this corrupted country under themselves , took a shyt on the country SSOBS

[@coldsamon]

​@@franklinmills1756You might need another booster.

[@LizKS48]

Not the majority.

[@skylongskylong1982]

You look at these pictures and innocents shines through. The contrast is Dads had fought in a World War, and seen horrific things, and their sons, could have fought in Korea, and Vietnam. Fathers understood how precious life was, and to live life to the full. Maybe we need to look in the past to work out our future

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Great comment - thanks for sharing this...

[@jimharvey4941]

82 here, looking back that was a pretty innocent time to grow up especially compared to now. Great cars too.

[@Wiser65]

Mutual respect then 👍🏼😁

[@Wiser65]

Still a stupid government though!😂

[@robertmurray3317]

75er What a wonderful time to be alive. Shame we didn’t realize it back then!

[@marknewton6984]

Great times. Maybe Baby! 😎

[@JeezWhiz1]

Yep like it was in dixie!!!

[@chrisdaigle3588]

O0H if we only knew the what we know now, we'd be a lot different!

[@ankhpom9296]

The best times you don’t realize until way past time.

[@cinrambrad]

28:48 I work in Richmond Indiana.....How nice it was back then, it cannot be recognized today.........

[@RandallvanOosten-ln5wf]

The Kodachrome color is spectacular in these photos. Kodachrome film had a richness that modern digital cameras lack. This is similar with the sound from vinyl recordings compared to digital. The vinyl records have a richness and warmth lacking with digital. It is striking how homogeneous America was back in the 50s, yet there were lots of regional accents, foods and flair. For those of use raised in that magical time (not perfect) it is a treat to see it again in beautiful, accurate color.

[@AllanGonnella]

I was born in 1950 so I grew up in the 50's. We lived in Pico Rivera, Ca. about 12 miles east of downtown L.A., Ca. Back then no one locked their house or cars doors at night. Our neighborhood was like watching Leave It To Beaver or Ozzie & Harriet. We lived on a dead end street (6 house on each side) and had block parties. All the fathers were WWII vets and had to buy their houses under a VA loan. Everyone knew each other. All us kids played together and went to school together. There were 9 of us boys all born in 1950. Life was good except when I pissed my folks off and then it was belt time and stay in my room time. The first McDonalds we went to was in Downey, Ca. (about 15 minutes away). It's still there. I think it's the oldest McDonalds in the world. We used to go to kiddie matinees at our local theater on Saturdays for 15 cents. We saw a double feature, cartoons, either a 3 Stooges or Laurel & Hardy short and coming attractions. For another 15 cents we could buy a box of popcorn, a soft drink and a candy bar. That's 30 cents for the entire day. In 1960 it went up to 25 cents. Talk about about INFLATION!! There was Captain Kangaroo, Cartoon Carousel with Skipper Frank, Popeye with Tom Hatten and Engineer Bill and The Mickey Mouse Club to watch after school. The one thing I didn't like was the "duck & cover" drill at school like hiding under your desk and covering your desk was going to keep you from being vaporized. Also the air raid sirens went off every 4th Friday of the month at 9:00 AM for 5 minutes to test them. Eerie! They say that the 50's was the best decade in American history to be raised. I think they're right.

[@leonardohummel8658]

Thank you. You nailed it. I was born in 1947 and remember all of that. There was real community and widespread respect for the Law and police. Now: almost next to ZERO.😷🤔😟🤕

[@dorianesteves6120]

Se não é mais assim, culpem a vocês mesmos. Depois de invadirem e bombardearam tantos países durante anos uma hora a conta chega.

[@quinquiry]

French man from Paris...born in 1949. These were the "good old days" then.. even in my country , even with the hardships of a post-war wrecked country . I feel our Western World is crumbling ☹ im afraid my kids and grand daughter will have to face WW3

[@Jaffar540]

What a coincidence! I too was born in 1950 (July 9th, 1950). I will be 74 in July this year. I love the way people looked in those days. There are no signs of fatigue or worry in their look. Everyone looked so fit and joyful. May God bless them and all their loved ones as well.

[@optitom9033]

Remember the happy birthday song sherif John sang on his show? Found it a while back on utube and I send it to family members on their birthdays

[@dannyholmes9775]

1956 is when I came into this world Can't believe what the ol U.S looks like today So much has changed 60 plus yrs ago .

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Beautiful pictures! I wonder if I am the only one that watches your videos/pictures and says, I wish there was a time machine and how cool it would be to go back and pop in during the 1950's in America.

[@jb-qi8fz]

Because it's true @@dalestringham170

[@user-qy9hn1ii3l]

Me too!!!

[@gaborgredely1848]

. Üdv Európából, Magyaroszágról. Csodás időszak, fantasztikus stilus a ruhàzatban. A zenéről nem is szólva. Hatalmas bulik! Kivàló elnökök.JFK! !!❤❤❤❤

[@byronbuck1762]

@@dalestringham170unless you’re black, female or lgbq

[@sobroed]

No you're not alone👍. This video was the highlight of my uncles 80th Birthday gathering! He and his buddies reminisced about their (as he stated) "swell or keen" times! It was awesome! You definitely are not alone. They did fine...living without cell phones or texting! Lol!

[@hAnD90]

These photos fill me with a great calm and at at the same time make me really melancholic thinking that (almost) all lifes you see in there have since ended.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

I appreciate your insightful comment. I see the same thing when I look at these photos.

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

I understand how looking at old photos can evoke a range of emotions, including both calmness and melancholy. The passage of time and the realization that the people captured in those moments have moved on or even passed away can be quite profound. It's a reminder of the impermanence of life and the fleeting nature of moments. However, these photos can also serve as a tribute to those who have lived before us, allowing us to appreciate the beauty and significance of their existence. The mixture of emotions that arise from contemplating the transience of life is a bittersweet aspect of our shared human experience.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

@@PoisonelleMisty4311 You said it perfectly. Thanks for contributing this beautiful comment.

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

@@TheHistoryLounge Thank you, your very welcome my friend

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

@@PoisonelleMisty4311 Very nice! However, that sounded like something an AI chatbot would write. Lol.

[@debbieblaylock9997]

I was born in 1958 i just found your videos i love it .i love history

[@louislamonte334]

All things considered I'd go back to the 1950's in a heartbeat! The United States had innumerable, ubiquitous vibrant downtown areas in communities big and small, everywhere! Now most of these places, I daresay the majority, are ghost towns in ruins now.

[@marknewton6984]

I would go back! 😮

[@JeezWhiz1]

Bet u wouldn't want to be a black person in dixie at that time!!!!

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

While the 1950s may have had certain charm and nostalgia, it is important to consider some aspects that might give one pause before wholeheartedly embracing that era. 1. Social Inequality: The 1950s witnessed significant discrimination and inequality, particularly against racial minorities and women. The Civil Rights Movement was still in its early stages, and segregation was widespread. Women faced limited opportunities outside traditional roles, and LGBTQ+ individuals often lived in fear and secrecy. 2. Limited Rights and Liberties: The prevailing societal norms of the 1950s constrained personal freedoms. The McCarthy era fueled a climate of suspicion and suppression of dissenting voices, stifling free expression and challenging individual liberties. 3. Technological Advancements: While the 1950s saw progress in certain domains, it lacked the technological advancements we enjoy today. Many everyday conveniences that we now take for granted, such as smartphones, computing power, medical advancements, and the internet, were non-existent or in their early stages. 4. Environmental Concerns: Environmental consciousness was not a significant societal concern during the 1950s. Pollution levels were exceptionally high, and the detrimental effects were not yet widely recognized or addressed. 5. Limited Cultural Diversity: The 1950s were marked by a more homogeneous culture, which resulted in limited exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences. Today, we celebrate multiculturalism and appreciate the richness it adds to our society. It is essential to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of any era, but it is equally important to critically evaluate the drawbacks before wishing for a return to the past.

[@louislamonte334]

@@PoisonelleMisty4311Well, sure. History is subjective. However, there were enough positives that don't exist in today's world to justify my feelings!!

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

@@louislamonte334 dont worry everything will be fine.

[@molliwilson5639]

I want that America back

[@marknewton6984]

Me too😮!

[@lukestuningshop8467]

vote Trump 24

[@paulaarchuleta8684]

You will not see kids wearing PJ at Walmart then.

[@julieannfogarty5756]

Me to

[@BradleyLoomis-wq9yf]

Vote Biden out that's the first step he's got our beautiful Country in a Mess!!! Ugh 😫 people don't u realize he a snake???

[@Joe_I_Hadley]

I like 👍 it all. Im 72 now. My dad had a 1950 Desoto carry all sedan and a 55 Desoto station wagon

[@user-ff1oy2vo4g]

I, remember the fifties, as it were yesterday. I grew up as a kid, the memories the fun, people dressed up, the cars, it was magic. I wish i were back there today, what i would give. I, lived & grew up in Long Beach ca. What a place then.❤

[@gordiesings]

I hear you. I grew up in Downey, CA.

[@user-hj1kf7wc9c]

I think most of us grew up as a kid.

[@The_best_days_are_yesterdays]

😂​@@user-hj1kf7wc9c

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

@@user-hj1kf7wc9c LOL

[@ankhpom9296]

And look at it today. My dad grew up in a town called Salinas, CA. The place had a population of around 25k souls back then. And was an otherwise decent place to grow up as a kid. But today the population is 6x+ of what it was back then. Traffic is awful, roads terrible in some spots. Down town has changed but there are still a few buildings than existed back then. But it is not the same anymore. Ah nostalgia.

[@globaleye8]

Great photos ! I thought these times were well and truly gone but about 10 years ago returning from Lake Shasta, low on gas, we left the beaten track and found an old gas station straight out of Deliverance, complete dinging bell as we drove in and an old guy with overalls - only low grade fuel but they got us home 😊

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Awesome!

[@douglasvick9703]

I love travelling by road in America...Always use little roads and small towns ...Seek...and you will find lots of real America....Douglas Vick..U.K...

[@auggie803]

@@TheHistoryLounge -awesome dorsome !!

[@kingsize516]

Born 1950 wonderful childhood with mum and dad with 3 bros and 3 sisters .

[@steveperry1344]

it's really cool seeing scenes from all across america, i grew up near boston, mass.

[@laurielaurie8280]

Great times in America never to be had again,

[@joegoldman3065]

Great times unless you happen to come down on the horrible diseases. That could kill you then and are easily curable now. Need an MRI or a CT scan? Good fucking luck. Oh, and by the way, you are using a relatively cheap hand held computer that has more powerful than the biggest computers in banks and government all the time.

[@user-zy3it7zk3p]

Buenisimo y Bella Epoca!!! Los 50' y 60' me da fortaleza e inspiración!!!

[@yolandasaavedra3375]

Such beautiful cars back then.😊 Everyone looked so beautiful.

[@vincenzodangelo127]

Beautiful memories, beautiful photos and beautiful images from the 50s

[@MarkWG]

What a wonderful trip back in time! This would have been my parent's era, as they were born in 1940 and were teenagers in the 1950s. I wish they were both still living. My Mama passed on in 2011 and my Father passed on in 2021. I know they would have loved seeing these images of their era. My Mama and Daddy were the quintessential '50s kids with poodle skirts, penny loafers, and black leather jackets. My Father had a brand new '57 Chevrolet. This was truly America's Golden Era of the postwar years.

[@user-zl1ib3ov5d]

It was the best of times! Lots of memories with a lot of relatives. Wish I could go back!

[@siddrajput1029]

Great pictures. Beautiful cars.

[@rliening8913]

This is my substitute Time Machine to enjoy the earlier and BETTER times America had. ❤

[@user-nd7wo8bv1d]

I enjoyed this much I cried for them times back Good job .This is really good stuff I appreciate being able to see these wonderful times on film

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Thank you for your comments - I'm really glad you liked it!

[@mikeromike]

So many fond memories of times gone by. Thank you.

[@jonclassical2024]

So amazing how vibrant all downtowns were......I was in Fond du Lac this past fall for 4 days and saw maybe 5 people walking downtown.....pictures from the 1950's showed every parking space full and people everywhere.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Hey Jon - I see the same thing when I look at these photos compared to cities today. Thanks for adding these comments!

[@JrGoonior]

I looked up the Joliet, Illinois location Cass and Chicago ave. on Google maps (May 2023, so very recent). The buildings are still there on the North side of the street but barely any traffic compared to what the 1950's picture showed.

[@The_best_days_are_yesterdays]

Beautifully clean photos, thanks for posting!

[@TheHistoryLounge]

You’re very welcome!

[@steveperry1344]

i was born in 1950 and this is a fun look back. i can remember back to about 3 yrs old and through a bunch of old family snapshot photos. thnx for the show.

[@richardmcgrath61]

A visual and aural feast! Love the styles from the 50s.

[@janetphillips2875]

I wasnt so lucky to have alot as a child, but I appreciated that one little present I got every year! My uncle would bring one of those big fat peppermint sticks that was 5 inches thick and a foot long! We'd literally bust it with a hammer to divide it! I didnt see a parade until I was 14 in 1979!

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

That sounds like a wonderful memory of your childhood! It's amazing how even a small present can hold such significance and bring joy. And experiencing your first parade at the age of 14 must have been a memorable moment too! Can you tell me more about your experience at the parade in 1979?

[@johnnycrash3270]

Thank You🤗 Best Nostalgic Video I've seen keep posting 👍❤👍🙏 The Happy Times 🥰😎💋

[@SiberianSwiftieAlexanderS]

Hello from Russia. Very interesting. Good old times.♥

[@ankhpom9296]

They should do a video on Russia for the same period.

[@8176morgan]

At 11:44 there are two old Plymouths side by side at the crosswalk. A maroon 1942 Plymouth sedan, and next to it a silver 1941 Plymouth sedan with a luggage rack on top. The photo was taken in Pennsylvania in 1952. Those old Plymouths were known to be very durable cars. When I was small back in the year 1962, our landlords had a 1953 Plymouth and a 1946 Plymouth whereas our family had a 1949 Plymouth that would very soon by traded in for a 1960 Ford Anglia.

[@donmoore8116]

My Dad bought a new 1951 Plymouth Cranbrook 4 door sedan, lasted long & faithful till 1956 Buick Special came along

[@alanoneill3065]

Great to hear upbeat music appropriate to the era!

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

There are several reasons why people like the 50s. Here are a few: 1. Nostalgia: Many people who didn't live during the 50s romanticize the era and are attracted to the nostalgia associated with it. They may appreciate the music, fashion, movies, and overall cultural aesthetic of that time. 2. Economic prosperity: The 50s in the United States, for example, were known for their economic boom. The post-World War II era brought about increased employment opportunities, rising wages, and general affluence. People may remember this period as a time of economic stability and upward mobility. 3. Family values: The 50s is often seen as a period of strong family values and traditional gender roles. Some people value the perceived simplicity and stability of those times and long for a return to what they see as a "golden age" of family life. 4. Cultural icons: The 50s gave rise to several cultural icons that have left a lasting impact. Figures like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Audrey Hepburn continue to capture the imagination of people today, contributing to the ongoing fascination with the era. It is important to note that people's reasons for liking the 50s can be subjective, and individual preferences and interests may vary.

[@ESHANABROOK]

I agree, the 50's are sometimes over idealized, there were plenty of problems in society back then. Yes I am fun at parties.

[@speedibusrex]

No Karens. No Bidens. No Trans. No LGBTQZ+++

[@Rob774]

​@@speedibusrexBut plenty of raciats, so you would have been happy.

[@cindyeisenberg3273]

The 50’s weren’t great for everyone. There were a lot of prejudices and I would be locked up in a mental hospital getting a lobotomy because of my schizoaffective disorder. No time is great for everyone. Even now mentally ill people live on the streets and rot in jail. I am lucky to get decent mental health treatment. Even though I can’t afford to go to treatment for my ED and get a psychologist to talk to weekly.

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

@@cindyeisenberg3273 I'm really sorry to hear that you're experiencing these challenges. Mental health care accessibility and affordability continue to be significant issues for many people, and it's unfortunate that some individuals are unable to receive the care they need. It's important to advocate for more comprehensive mental health support systems and to continue raising awareness about these issues. If you're in immediate need, there are resources available such as helplines and community organizations that may be able to provide support.

[@chillios2222]

would love to time travel to back then, jumbo sunday for 25 cents that looked good

[@tomtalley2192]

I love how all the street scenes seem to all have, a movie theater, a drug store, or a hardware store. Would love to have some of those cars!! Also, I play it at 1.75 speed. Doesn't hurt the enjoyment.

[@CineMutt]

Love that Kodachrome!

[@gregdolecki8530]

I once asked my dad who graduated high school in 1950, what the 50's were like. His response with a shoulder shrug, "It was the 50's".

[@ankhpom9296]

It sounds like he has a different take of the 50s as an adult back then.

[@stischer47]

What is interesting to me is that many of the men are WWII veterans and the majority had lived during WWII. Completely different mindset than today.

[@marybeck7594]

What a time, you could drive straight down the streets not dodging potholes everywhere.

[@coldsamon]

And no dodging homeless people crossing in the middle of the street 😂

[@rgray3173]

Or bullets.

[@indiosveritas]

Nor feces or anti-white racial violence.

[@Rob774]

​@@indiosveritasYou do know in THIS era people were being lynched, right. Where is this happening to white folks at in modern times?🤔

[@RobertGSwan]

I was born in 1948 - take me back to the 50's and early 60's - NOW !!

[@marknewton6984]

I want to go 😮!

[@francoisbedard7394]

Me too !!!😁😁same thing in Canada 🇨🇦

[@marknewton6984]

Canada and Florida have always gotten along!😎​@@francoisbedard7394

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

No, lets keep moving forward and getting this “earth” stuff over with. There is a NEW DAY DAWNING. Titus 2:13….looking for that BLESSED HOPE… JESUS is our BLESSED HOPE. There is truly coming a day when the pains of hardship, daily struggles and stresses will be OVER. The capital of the world will be JERUSALEM where JESUS/YESHUA will reign and rule the whole earth. ( Besides, back then 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s had its UGLINESS too ).

[@erice.5844]

All I can say as an artist w photography interest and history of my folks!! NICE!!!!!!

[@chuck5898]

People were respectful towards one another.

[@debbieedwards4884]

Not always.

[@donmoore8116]

Born in 1941, enjoyed the times & great films like 1954 "A Star Is Born" & "Love Me Or Leave Me" 1955

[@carriescarbrough9869]

Thanks for a trip thru my teen years…what fun and brought back many memories.

[@stuckinarkansas1]

Dang! The Cars! Wow!

[@marknewton6984]

Fins!

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

Born in 42. Wonderful times.

[@brentsummers7377]

So was Joe Biden, unfortunately😂

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

@@brentsummers7377 So I've heard.

[@user-jn2wx7db1c]

I was born in 1957, Brockton, MA and it was nice then. But, I love my country; America. It’s the best country in the world!

[@randykelso4079]

Born in 1945; 78 now. I recall being in grade school during the early 1950s when a prominent commercial had a woman singing "See the USA in your Chevrolet...". We schoolkids sang that, followed by our own lyrics "See the USR in your armored car..."

[@eleanorbenner1885]

So, so cool. I was there!

[@Unknown17]

Wonderful sights and marvelous sounds! Great presentation!

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

Of ALL of your videos, yes, I mean ALL of them, THIS ONE has the best music attached to it!! Great stuff!!

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Thanks, @Nunofurdambiznez - The longer I do this, the larger (and better) my collection of music becomes. I'm glad you liked it!

[@davidhirschberg]

Can you identify it? love to have it playing in my convertible in the summer.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

@@davidhirschberg Hey, David. I'm happy to! - There are a few songs in the video - are you referring to the first one?

[@brookeshaffer4377]

Dang time was nice then .Thanks for capturing this essence🌟

[@marknewton6984]

The Best!😮

[@lanalorenzen]

What a decade in which to be a kid growing up in New England! The air and water were unpolluted; the skies were a deep, azure blue (no milky white skies over Portland then!). We all went to the carnivals, never thinking that one of the rides might not be safe. We went to the circus with nary a thought as to what the animals had to endure because, of course, they were all perfectly treated. Going to Sebago State Park, three or four times a week in the summer. Watching the Yankees on a Saturday afternoon on a television with only three channels. And it was free! No paying for the innovations from Hell: Cable and Streaming. Just three channels and all the television you needed. Cool cars and even cooler music. Neighborhood soda shops and home-made sandwiches. Walking in the forests or around town the entire day without your parents wondering if you'd be kidnapped. Drive-in movies with the family. The State fair in Cumberland County in September. The guy who sold freshly caught sea food and sold it from the back of his wood-paneled truck where ice kept the catch fresh. We won't see those days again. Born: Westbrook, Maine, 1951

[@ankhpom9296]

Oh those were the days.

[@gastrcat]

A Time of Hope!!!

[@marknewton6984]

A Time of Jubilation😮!

[@wwonka52]

born in 1952. I love it. My family had a Chevy dealership back then for 40 years. Love the cars too.

[@janetphillips2875]

No purple hair, no crazies, no entitlement, no mushroom waistlines!

[@jchapman8248]

And no tats on the women! The only folks tatted up were servicemen, ex-convicts and circus/sideshow freaks.

[@georgeplagianos6487]

You must be in fantasyland? You don't see any photos of water fountains saying white only colored only.. or seeing blacks boarding on exit doors in the back of buses. We should have a video of all the signs that say whites only colored only. Is good old days are fantastic these photos are great what's the reality for the rest of American society who also came back from world war II to come back to more segregation. We can't live that down we can't erase it. All of the good old days but we got to remember not everybody was allowed to be themselves

[@margueriteguineheux8139]

@@georgeplagianos6487 Yes, a lot of disrespect towards others that were not a white male adult.

[@gello8518]

@@georgeplagianos6487and look how shit everything is today. They knew their place. Now they murder each other and us like crazy 150k whites murdered by blacks since the civil rights movement. That’s more than ww1. Gen z here intergrated schooling was dangerous as hell for me being white.

[@user-ix7cr5ie2c]

I was born in 1923. And still here? 😁

[@TheHistoryLounge]

That’s amazing! Happy Belated Birthday Greetings on hitting 100!!! 🎂

[@GordoGambler]

I went to visit my dad's cousin born in 1928, in the middle of my 3,900 mile bicycle TOUR in 2018 when he was 90. Spent 6 days with him. Two times we loaded tree branches on his little Toyota pickup that had plywood sides. He was on TOP of the pile and drove the stick shift like he was still 60. Still alive and well at 95. My dads last sibling was born in 1933. I'm 70 and still riding my heavy bicycles up to 117 miles in a day.

[@tm510a]

Nobody has a smart phone stuck to their face... nice! Thanks Steve Jobs .

[@lukestuningshop8467]

and.jB

[@JESUSISLORDforever888]

No, but if they had “smart phones” back then they would have been.

[@rocketeerPM2500]

No smart phone stuck to their face.... AMEN to that!!

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

Born in 1953 and these pix bring back good memories. Thanks ! ! !

[@TheHistoryLounge]

I'm glad to hear it - thanks for watching!

[@Alan-lv9rw]

I was born in 1962. I’d love to see an hour of the 1960’s.

[@jpturner171]

Agreed,,,,born in 56!👍🏽

[@christianbell8347]

Well tough luck, you can't.

[@W8F0R4]

@@christianbell8347 Actually I believe the correct response is: "Well tough noogies, you can't"

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Great request - I'll put it on the list!

[@jaydouglas5847]

Hello Alan, I remember everything it seems , from back then, born also in '62. While watching this video I'm saying to myself I remember when things looked like this and how similar some of the downtown scenes looked to mine and then...boom at 13:12 there it is , Downtown Syracuse NY 1957. Once or twice a month, from birth onwards, mom or grandma would take me there. I've been in all those stores and bldg's. Downtown died by the late 70's as between the growth of the suburbs and shopping malls, downtown faded away. To spend time back there I will purposely watch movies/TV shows from the early 60's. Also in recent years there has been a slew of good TV series made that take place in that era, "Madmen" being only but one. I remember when I was young my dad saying the 50's didn't end until about 1964. I've even had my wife on occasion do a hair style and dress from that era, great fun. If were lucky to make it into our eighties perhaps the technology will exist to download the memories locked away in inaccessible parts of our memory to be played played and relive them. Sign me up for that !!

[@christianbrother4724]

Each city and town was orignal and unique back then. Before the proliferation of national chains.

[@joetrey215]

But there were major regional and multi-regional chains - G.C.Murphy, Walgreens, A&P, Sears, Woolworth's, etc.

[@christianbrother4724]

@@joetrey215 Correct but they had style and class. they weren't the big box monstrosities that we have today.

[@ankhpom9296]

Only Walgreens is still around. The others are long gone.

[@optitom9033]

Third generation Californian and moved to Twin Falls idaho at 77yo and it's like going back to the 60s in California, it truly is like going back in time

[@matadorelin]

wow... like going into a time machine. wasn't around back then but sure feel like I was there watching these images.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Thanks, @matadorelin - that's exactly what I'm going for!

[@donl1846]

Hard to imagine that we lived in a country where tattoos, body piercing and Karen's was not the "norm".

[@lizzapaolia959]

Was 95 perfect percent European people then. Founding fathers would not be happy with the current state of the USA. Thank you for sharing your comment 🙏

[@SFBenjaminK]

thats shows how f***ked up corrupted Government, Democracy & Presidents become 2 these days & decades passed by ..Decade from now u cant even walk in streets anymore ..gonna be like second venezuela 3RD world country , they really took a shyt on this country mother fathers & gonna get worse & the most shocking & Mind boggling to me still people VOTE for these mother fathers how f*n Dumb can be!

[@Galidorquest]

@@lizzapaolia959 You do know that minorities & immigrants will see your comment, right?...😅

[@PhaQ2]

@@Galidorquest I suggest they buy a helmet. Life is tougher when you're soft headed.

[@daisydukes8252]

People don’t even know what makes them beautiful anymore and what makes them ugly. It’s unbelievable that people could be so brainwashed and devoid of common sense..

[@justinshaffer3419]

What a beautiful project, pics and music were awesome. Thanks for all the hard work putting this together.

[@user-fv5ms4sz8e]

What fun music and what a beautiful decade to be alive in America. The second great war was over, the nation united in the pride of victory and achievement, prosperity was to all who wanted it, the safest and pure time to raise children, the enormous amount of new choices never before seen in all of world history, tremendous amounts of free time to enjoy friendships and family, everyone embraced their gender roles without question - with an occasional Tomboy. There was probably no place on planet earth better to be, than at the good old USA. I really want to have some apple pie 🥧 and black coffee ☕ inside a genuine roadside diner 🏪, I'm so inspired. 😅

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Wow - what a great description of what made this decade so wonderful. Thank you for contributing your comments!

[@user-fv5ms4sz8e]

​@@TheHistoryLounge I absolutely loved watching this on my computer. Even though the women in the bathing suits were in their 90s or pushing up daisies, I was still judging 🏆 them from 1 through 10, as if they hadn't aged a day. 😂

[@jdgoodwin3136]

Prosperity to all who wanted it? You must be joking. This was a time of American Apartheid. Hell, my wife and I wouldn't have been allowed to marry each other in many states in the 1950's. Safer? Violent crime is lower today in most areas of the United States. Don't believe me? Well, then you don't believe FBI Crime Data Reports. Everyone embraced their gender roles without question? Geez...where did you come up with that? I highly recommend the film "Glen or Glenda" (1953), by Ed Wood. LGBTQ+ people have always been here. The difference is that today they are less repressed than in the 1950's. I also recommend that you read the American classic "Howl And Other Poems" (1956) by Allen Ginsberg for a glimpse into the world you seem think didn't exist in the 50's. You seem to have a rather sanitized view of this era, and have fallen for the later Hollywood version of what the decade was like.

[@admiralcraddock464]

"....prosperity was to all who wanted it" unless you were black, I think they may have thought differently.

[@franklinmills1756]

There were several million people suffering under Jim Crow, and it was not a "fun and beautiful" time for them.

[@coldsamon]

25:20 I did some research. Waving goodbye is the wife and children ( BIII, 6, Sharon, 5,) of Capt. Johnnie Gosnell of Borger, Texas, as he departs in his F-82 Twin Mustang. Gosnell flew 100 sorties in Korea. He survived the war, but unfortunately died at age 47 from a "sudden illness". Photo was taken in 1953.

[@ericb592]

And it's the night fighter version no less, with that ginormous radome stuck to the middle wing!

[@michelbm8878]

Belle époque d après guerre la joie de vivre, les belles bagnoles le bon temps. Les personnes en bonne forme pas encore touchées par l obésité et la sédentarité, une amérique en mouvement..👍👍👍👍🌊🌊👍

[@AustriaGermany]

great video - thank you !!!

[@jmazz1127]

I believe the photo at 4:33 has both a 1965 Rambler and a 1965 Mustang in it. It's labeled 1956

[@bruceglover7971]

You are correct Sir !

[@user-fl7yj5du5m]

I was a child back then and I loved it! We played outside after dark! So much fun. We, as kids, respected our elders! It was a sane world. Great memories. Loved the 50's music and TV shows that the whole family could watch together. Great memories, sadly those days will never be the same.

[@rogerhare7886]

What a fantastic collection of Kodachrome prints!

[@JRCinKY]

And the digital stuff is severely lacking.

[@JRCinKY]

And the digital stuff is severely lacking.

[@johnlaughlin266]

Kodachrome was a slide film, but you could print them on reversal papers such as Kodak 2203 paper or better yet Cibachrome. Those days are gone too.

[@smokeynewton]

This is the world I grew up in.

[@alfa51301]

Poor man

[@smokeynewton]

@@alfa51301 Really?: That's all you got?

[@alfa51301]

@@smokeynewton You got? A poor mind

[@smokeynewton]

@@alfa51301 I think you might have some mental problems. Go bother someone else.

[@jamesrobinson2175]

Great history video. I love it!!!

[@gregcarr]

I love this video and I can’t imagine all the work that went into it. However and Ironically at 1959 minutes I see a 1959 Caddy film dated at 1958. No bigee but I guess time travel is possible!! Great video

[@joelpineda2042]

I know they made our life easier today. But wow how I missed the world when technology was in it's infancy. Was born in'72 and growing up in the 70's and 80's was also a very very special time.

[@llllllllllll878]

The 80s were such a miserable time for some people. Glad they're over.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Hey, @joelpineada2042 - I also grew up in the 70s & 80s and thought that was a special time too!

[@joelpineda2042]

@@llllllllllll878 like how? Financially? We lived in the projects here in the harbor of Los Angeles. In a 1 room. There were 6 of us. My 4 little sisters my Mom and myself. In the early 80's I wud go fishing every Saturday and Sunday with my little friends and sell the fish door to door. Amongst other awesome things u can't do today. Actually the 80's is a time I wud do just about anything to relive. My young kids today just sit around with their friends on their phone all day. Sorry the 80's were a bad time for u

[@trentb8674]

Thank you for this love old photos could look at them all day

[@sfeddie1]

I grew up in San Francisco and it was good to see the old pics of Chinatown as I knew it back then. One small nit-picky correction. At 6:22 even though the sign on the building says 1957, the car in the background is a 1958 Oldsmobile. Maybe it was the time of year for the new models to come out.

[@babaluche1]

I love these trips down memory lane. Thank you so much for compiling all of these that you do (Whoopsie, do I see a green '66 Mustang up the street on the left side at 4:35, Burlington Iowa 1956? Also, a white 64 Merc in the foreground, left side?).

[@bernardcarpenter6949]

Isn't that s blue square body Chevy truck from the 60s as well?

[@coldsamon]

Source photo probably incorrectly dated.

[@jamessherosick2747]

I read through the comments before adding my own, but you are right, that truck really stood out.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

There were also a number of photos dated from the 40's and 60's. One photo was shown twice. And Hempstead, NY was spelled Hampstead.

[@bobcarlino7280]

The white car in the foreground on the far left side is actually a '65 Rambler Ambassador, not a '64 Merc...and parked in front of the Ambassador is an early 60's Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth station wagon. There's also a '60 Impala and a '63 Fairlane in the pic which makes it clear that the claim of 1956 is in error. Regardless, this was a terrific video and the background music was perfect!