The 1950s in Color - Life in America

[@redwow]

I'm in my eighties and remember all this. It was a good time in my youth. Can't help but get sort of choked up!

[@TheHistoryLounge]

@redwow - I'm glad you liked it, Red. It looks like it was an amazing time to grow up.

[@johndunstan3875]

I'm not far behind you red, did you ever have a Fonzie in your circles? 😀

[@AmericanPatriot-bp7cu]

b.1959 here. So glad I made the cut!

[@ammo8713]

CHOKED UP ? I'M CRYING. 😭😭😭

[@lissablue176]

Agree happy times

[@mildredgrossman5653]

I was a child in the fifties and I long for those days.....there was an innocence and wholesomeness that does not exist today.

[@carolsmith5151]

Yes, Mildred, my feelings exactly.

[@crabbymilton390]

I certainly don’t disagree. So why did we stop?

[@ginger1549]

I was also a young child in the 50's and I could not agree more.

[@Shaolin91z]

50 million aborted kids so far 🤟

[@Shaolin91z]

In the 60's killed MLK. But let's get back to the 50's🤟

[@simons5193]

I wish I was born in that era. Life looks much simpler and peaceful. Everything looks normal and people look happy, nicely dressed and clean looking with neat hairs and no frigging tattoos.

[@hyeraPL]

all because of white supr... what was evil according those people children (today's usefull progressive idiots) (lol)

[@ilovesuisse1]

Yeah, no stupid woke idiots plus all the other BS like now.

[@ilovesuisse1]

To think that people died in World War 2 defending freedom, only to have that disrespected now, and have normalcy replaced by “woke” idiots and other f.r.e.a.k.s.

[@dennisargall]

And everyone was white and employed?

[@leversforever9748]

@basedwhitedevil For the mess we're in now!!

[@MrLanternland]

70 years later the country is an unrecognizable nightmare!

[@razony]

Americas freedom is what created that nightmare. I have the right to do whatever I want...

[@sess122]

@@razony No, it's called "liberalism" that created the nightmare and it's rooted in Communism. The Communists always said back then that they could never defeat us militarily but could from "within" and they targeted the "democrats" because their thinking aligned more with Communism. Slowly and incrementally, they slithered their evil tentacles into government policies (using "democrats" as hosts), big media, the education system, hollywood, corporations and more recently, social media. They don't miss ANY opportunity to spread their evil and they've come a long way toward achieving their goal of destroying America as Founded and eventual world domination. Read J. Edgar Hoover's 1958 book, "Masters of Deceit", warning of the dangers of Communist infiltration. It's a free archived online read, page for page. Look it up. Lastly, it was Communist revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin who said, "The goal of Socialism is Communism".

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@razony religion and an element of rigidity kept things moving on an orderly path

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@razony the wotld doesn't revolve around you...we're all in this together...

[@razony]

@@frankpienkosky5688 Oh please, are you testing me? Rigidity and religion keeps the faithful from evolving. It keeps them in the dak ages. Religion is always mentioning 'new age...' Because it is a new age, 2023. and there stuck in the dark age. (Why they keep bringing it up.) Religions path? Don't evolve!

[@SB-ok3xc]

How can I be so nostalgic of a time I've never lived? America in the 50s was so beautiful ❤️I always loved everything about it since I was a child.

[@nickcurran3105]

Because it was America and we were a people and a nation, even if we had different ethnic heritages.

[@soisaidtogod4248]

It was all white washed.

[@megenberg8]

just as you can see the beauty and sweetness when pondering pictures of nature or lovely gardens - one experiences just a bit of that wonder and peace and joy. i miss the decency, cleanliness, and brightness in everything and everyone. life was everywhere showing its best colors - so many smiles!

[@MoMoMyPup10]

I was born in 62' and the 50's is the decade that always fascinated me the most. And I really don't remember the 60's at all. Just some personal memories. I just think that the people in charge back then mostly had the people's best interest in mind, but they had different ideas on how to use the resources. We were always "nationalistic" at the root though, and that made everyone very proud of their heritage. Now, half the people frown on you if you fly an American flag. Maybe even steal it.

[@JohnSmith-fm1ht]

You do not have to have lived in a time period to be nostalgic for it. It is a little like seeing a picture of a beautiful place. You still recognize it's beauty even if you have never been there.

[@normanroth9428]

I am also in my late 80's and remember this very well. It was a great time, high school was wonderful and we actually loved our country in those days

[@tribalscribal]

Most of us still do love our country. It's those embracing the return of fascism who do not. 🤨

[@chancesareshewears]

Loved the old country did ya, not sure the millions that have died through her wars and sanctions would agree tho

[@thrummer1953]

@Majik box You didn't get to experience that Era, did you? Well, I'm glad, because you don't deserve it. It was too good for you.

[@tribalscribal]

@@thrummer1953 Actually I did. Didn't we learn about manners back then?

[@thrummer1953]

@@tribalscribal We learned about manners.

[@fob1xxl]

I was born in 1945, and grew up in Northern California in the 50's. I am so very thankful I was born then and had a family that was truly a family. I was given every opportunity a child could have. Everything was a "special event". Our first TV. Our first NEW car in 1955, a brand new Mercury. My parents first new home. My first day of school. My first kiss. My best buddies and I playing baseball in an open lot near my home. The PLAYLAND in San Francisco.The fountain at WOOLWORTH'S ! My first date. When I learned to drive. Everything was monumental to me. Now, at 78, I see that most of my friends and family are gone. God how I long for those lazy summer days when you were out of school and you felt like life was about as good as it could get. I miss my mom and dad. I miss the family unit. How lucky I was.......

[@marknewton6984]

We were both lucky, pal!

[@TheHistoryLounge]

This is a great contribution to this video and this channel - thank you for sharing this.

[@yodservant]

You were born at the beginning of the Baby Boom, my mom in 1941 and dad in 1934...they had a good life, in some ways much better than we have as their children born in the 60s and 70s....it's a product of the times and culture changing ....good until 911... After that things became much more challenging....

[@marknewton6984]

Born in 1947. Great 50's childhood! Not like today.

[@stevetilbrook3402]

All true, I was born in 54 in Perth Australia and remember my parents had a long car with running boards and a lot of the roads were unpaved in the outer suburbs. An italian farmer drove his horse and cart by the houses in the late afternoon with vegitables on it,, the mothers would all come out to buy. We didn't want for anything and life was simple and good.

[@jmerly11]

I would bet 95% of the people in those pictures didn't care about who was Red, Blue, Republican or Democrat we were all just Americans and proud to be!

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Great point, @jmerly11. Thanks for posting it!

[@rdsieben]

There was legal segregation in the South at that time.

[@cottageindustry3040]

@@rdsieben Yup, And I couldn't help but notice there wasn't any Black people in any of the photos.

[@alarmservicepros]

@@rdsieben so what. one small portion of America. why do negative people always gotta f up things for other people with stupid comments?

[@cottageindustry3040]

@@alarmservicepros And there's the racism! You know dude, Black people existed in 1950s America, but BET did not. I just happened to mention that this video montage of photos of America in the 1950s did not include any photos of Black Americans. It was a simple observation. Your response is to tell me to "go watch BET"... Why? Is BET currently airing a montage of photos from the 1950s??? No, of course they aren't. So what was the purpose of your comment??? Why mention BET??? You're just making a racially motivated snide comment because you're a racist internet troll. So sorry my observation "triggered" you. Perhaps you need to find a safe space where Black people are never mentioned. Snowflake!

[@coldsamon]

My Mom grew up in the 1950s. She was happy then. She passed away last year March 24 at 77. Miss her everyday 💔

[@Mustang1984]

God bless you and her. My mother was born in 48 which makes her 75. I DREAD the day she goes.

[@michelles2299]

My dad was a young man in the 50s he passed away at age 89 on 12th May 2024 I know he missed the 50s 60s and 70s I only hope that there is some better place he can dwell without pain 🌹bless all the mums and dads who have passed

[@RinkyRoo2021]

if you compare this to a Walmart on Saturdays, its literally a different world .

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Yes - TOTALLY different.

[@mkeogh76]

If people from the 1950's could be shown pictures of 2020's Walmart customers and told "That's how people in the future will look like," then they'd likely assume that a nuclear war had occurred during the interim and, as a result, we had devolved as a species.

[@PhantomWoIf]

@@mkeogh76 they would think its somalia

[@marknewton6984]

@@mkeogh76 They would think a nuclear holocaust had devolved the culture!

[@Djm8520]

I grew up in the 50’s and I can assure you it was in color!

[@questfortruth665]

I was a kid in the 50's, and all I could think of was that I'm glad my parents aren't around to see what's happened to this country since they passed away in the 90's! It makes ME sick to my stomach, but it would've been harder on them after giving their all in WWII! The pictures bring back fond memories of a time where crime wasn't rampant and we got to be kids!

[@rollin19]

Yes my father was born in '51,although may not of been an easy time for everyone,most would agree it was a better time to live compared to where we are now with the electronics we deal with. My grandparents were born in the 20's,I lost them both by the time I was 20. I think about them all the time. The cars were amazing,they had one tv,no cell phones,my grandfather had 1 car,dinner every night at the dinner table. It was a simpler time to live with less electronics,we weren't so isolated and people went out and hung out with friends.

[@richardteale3217]

Too right my friend ……..I’m British and we are going down the pan too . I’ve said many times I’m glad my patents are no longer with us……they would be heartbroken to see the corruption,greed and total erosion of good old fashioned standards . Best wishes from England .

[@hikerx9366]

I agree

[@StvMcQueen1]

@@richardteale3217: Going down the pan. I like that! Over here across the pond we are going down the "tubes." Hopefully, better days will come.

[@jeffbarron5500]

or we were just told go play on the freeway

[@pinsolomons]

Brings back memories of the early 50s where my grandma would dress me and my aunt in hats, gloves and "stockings" to take a trip "uptown" to the bank by trolley. Everyone dressed up to "go out" wherever that took you for the day.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Sounds like a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing these memories!

[@MrLanternland]

Same in NYC. If u went downtown u had to look presentable, even a ragamuffin kid like me.

[@Mikegastaldo]

I live in Los Angeles..own a large property on a main street.. while I was watching this video a rather hefty El Salvadorian gal wearing dirty pink sweat pants pushing a stroller stopped in front of my place reached into the stroller and pulled out a soiled diaper and threw it on the sidewalk open face sandwich style and kept walking... America sure has changed for the better..

[@truthadvocacy]

🤣🤣🤣

[@juliostevens9480]

The 50s and 60s feels so long ago but yet so recent. Everything was more the way it was supposed to be when it comes to USA culture I’m not gonna lie.

[@kolbpilot]

Well said.

[@jeffc1347]

This video seems to have forgotten the "whites only" and "colored" signs around at that time.

[@Autojones]

@@jeffc1347 Because they were rare even back then, contrary to what the media would have you believe now-days. Mr virtue signaler.

[@alarmservicepros]

@@jeffc1347 They rarely existed. The media that hates this country pushed that narrative and it's a lie in 99% of America back then. I was born in the late 50's in Los Angeles.

[@jeffc1347]

@@alarmservicepros Did you visit Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi at this time? It was definitely not rare, that is straight up false information.

[@portaltwo]

I was born in 1950 and I have always counted myself as being incredibly fortunate to have grown up in what was arguably the best era ever. Family, education, you name it. So many fond memories. Thank you for bringing so many of them back for me - in living color!

[@matthewvoss7365]

That's what kills me about education. We have more technology like the internet and educational videos plus we have up to date textbooks, in spite of that America has hit rock bottom in education over the past 30 years. I blame school overcrowding and with mobs invoking parental authority in attempts to ban classic books you read back in the 1950's that won't help either. I was born in 1979 and I saw the downfall of education in the 1990's.

[@crabbymilton390]

@@matthewvoss7365 Because government schools rake in tons of money and the teach woke and critical race theory instead of reading and arithmetic. Then teachers can’t discipline the disruptive brats.

[@johnpadel]

Congratulations!!

[@deboraholsen2504]

Yes, you did grow up in the best era, ever!!! Love of God still strong among citizens, tons of modern conveniences, medicine advancing to prolong life, supermarkets galore for an array of healthy, non-gmo food, no drug use in the schools, traditional, modest dress still in vogue, and still a wonderful sense of innocence in most tv shows, and even in the movies! Famous role-models you could actually look up to and emulate. I could go on and on! But me being born not until the mid-1960s, I had to deal with hippie culture, E.R.A. pressures, rampant divorce and latch-key kids, drug culture by high school, etc. The 80s were better than the 70s because things appeared to cool down somewhat, and we tried to go back to traditional styles, but the movies kept getting more inappropriate! The 50s were just a better and more ideal time to be growing up!

[@crabbymilton390]

@@deboraholsen2504 Well said. I was born in 1964 and the 1980’s were better than the weird 1970’s. But here’s how I see it. We have gone thru good and bad times as long as the world has existed. I think we will continue on that track until God says enough that’s it. My pastor was born in 1991 and he has both a great sense of humor and great perspective on this subject. He says all you have to do is look at the Bible and history books and you’ll see that the world has always been bad including the 1950’s. It wasn’t going along just fine and suddenly went bad after they invented TV. I don’t deny that the 1950’s certainly had it’s wonderful times. But you always have to ask if it was so great, why didn’t it last until today? The answer is that nothing or nobody in this world is perfect and will eventually disappear. That new car you have will eventually need to be repaired and replaced at some point. The house will need repairs as long as you own it. I do agree that the morality side stinks but people turn their back on Christ so that’s when those people have trouble and make it we worse for all of us.

[@allantaylor3288]

Happier times when life was way more simpler👌

[@Rennrogue]

Yeah, certain people need simple. Especially simpletons who flash white power symbols.

[@marknewton6984]

Much better than today's nightmare...

[@JohnSmith-fm1ht]

Often I watch certain television shows made in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. They do not even have to be my favorite shows. I watch them because of the atmosphere and how pleasant things were back then. Plus they are a billion times better than made in the 21st century so called TV and entertainment which is unwatchable.

[@journeytothemosthigh5021]

Same here.

[@vanhetgoor]

Life was good, the people were honest, the 50's were the happiest time of my life!

[@marknewton6984]

Mine too!

[@hl1377]

I was born in the late 1970s and have known nothing except social and political turmoil and decay for my whole life. It is amazing that the Greatest Generation (and the Silent Generation) could have built America up from the Great Depression to such a wonderful time as the 1950s... and then Boomers were able to completely overthrow our society in a few short years starting their revolution in 1969. I know the Boomers hated this "conformist" stuff back then (they speak of it fondly now), but I guess they never considered what the generations downstream from them would think of the social decay, destruction of the family, debt tsunami, and political divisions/extremism that they fought hard to create. Thanks, Boomers. It's really great.

[@truthadvocacy]

Good observation. The "revolution" took some time to gain traction, before its effects became prevalent in the 90s.

[@marknewton6984]

As an early Boomer I think my generator screwed it.

[@dave1956]

What a relaxing existence. They worked harder in those days without a lot of the modern conveniences, but I think that life was better.

[@marknewton6984]

And you didn't need $$ to have a good time. Optimism was in the air! Not today.

[@newerafrican]

I'm not so sure kids of today will have the same nostalgic feelings about growing up.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Hey, @newerafrican - Interesting point, I'm afraid you might be right...

[@mercoid]

They’ll have nostalgia for video games and all things related. I already hear people in their early 20’s fondly reminisce about such things rather than real experiences they’ve had. They count their experiences with the video games as real and enriching.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

..."Stand by Me" got it right in so many ways....

[@sararichardson737]

Sadly not.

[@marknewton6984]

Of course not. Cell phones and video games? Yuck!

[@xler8226]

It's amazing instead of things getting better as the years progress , things actually have gotten much worst !!

[@tumbleweeduk7479]

What beautiful cars and skies, NO CHEMTRAILS in sight! Those were the days! Namaste 🙏💜🙏

[@CaptainYourself2]

Lol funny how unobservant people are, that there were no chemtrails in the 20th century, and now the sky can be painted with 30 trails that linger for half the day.

[@TOWNCARBUBBA87]

Born in 1962 wishing I would of been born in the 30’s- 40’s era. this world today is absolutely insane.

[@leospring6264]

Hats off to you for a great video! Wonderful photos with just a hint of background music. My father talked about the 1950's with such love. He was proud to be an American. Loved serving in the US Navy '58-'62. Sad how things have changed.

[@2quintly]

Life WAS grand. There was civility here in America and it was GREAT.

[@jeffc1347]

This video seems to have forgotten the "whites only" and "colored" signs around at that time.

[@sess122]

@@jeffc1347 And now we've reached where "privileged white Europeans need not apply"...like inner city, Detroit, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Philly, to name a few. How about comparing RECENT photos of some of THOSE cesspools, showing druggies and completely wasted people everywhere? All that rot began not long AFTER the 1960s "civil rights" movement and big gov't cradle to grave handout programs were passed into law, like DEMOCRAT, Lyndon Baines Johnson's "Great War On Poverty". Let me know how THAT boondoggle has worked out after TRILLION$ of wasted taxpayer money. Johnson was a Communist slime and all but said he wanted to enslave blacks with gov't handouts so they'd always vote "democrat"...and here we are, 50+ years later with close to NINETY PERCENT of them STILL voting "D".

[@jeffc1347]

@@sess122 I've never seen any photos of "privileged white Europeans need not apply" signs can you please show me some? I've lived in Chicago and LA and never seen these signs??

[@sess122]

@@jeffc1347 Photos of "signs"? Are you that ignorant or just a wise guy? Do a ytube search of the numerous photos/videos showing all the filth, druggies and human debris on the streets of LA, Philly, NY, Detroit and many other major DEMOCRAT RUN hellholes like them. "None are so blind as those who refuse to see".

[@delftfietser]

@Jeff Do black people need to check their privilege when they associate with minority whites in Nigeria?

[@markmark2080]

One special thing about the '50s was that all the "downtowns" were still alive and well before the plague of shopping malls destroyed them... Going "downtown" was always special, especially during the Christmas season.

[@Terry9624]

Many of us are still here, would give aby thing to go back in time to the 50s

[@jun24juanhuerta14]

I was a kid in the '50s, and I remember the decade as one of peace and simplicity.

[@marknewton6984]

Low crime and NO cell phones!

[@wesleytillman9774]

Even then the communists were working to undermine it and bring us to the place we are now. As a former leftist I know it well. Joe McCarthy was right.

[@gwnben]

​@@marknewton6984The murder rate was nearly double what it is today. Even in the idyllic 1950s at the height of the American dream, the violent crime rate was almost identical to what it is now. Domestic violence and sexual assault--including child molestation--were far more common in the 50s - 80s than it is now. So what he saying is completely untrue

[@Rickswars]

Back in time when America was clean and most city people had morals and dignity, maybe 2 jobs too!!

[@TheHistoryLounge]

It really does look like a different time..

[@gwarlow]

Hardly anyone had to hold down 2 jobs. In fact many families had only one “breadwinner” and they could still afford to buy a house!

[@Rickswars]

@@gwarlow 👉 right

[@kenwalz7231]

This is put together GREAT...I feel like I am right there in the moment! The colors are perfect. Thank's for posting!

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Thanks, Ken. I really appreciate your kind comments!

[@dr.migilitoloveless2385]

Beautiful color photography.

[@vernwallen4246]

Thank you a 1000 times for these photos.I'm afraid that those innocent days of yore are gone for ever.If anyone needs a refresher course on the story of Christmas it's all worked out in Mathew,Mark,Luke and John.Merry Christmas from Orem,UT.

[@wesleycook7687]

I'm glad I was a kid through this era. We feared the bomb but were kept in the dark most of the time about murders and such. Plus the great cars and music.

[@marknewton6984]

And the first television generation!

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

Thanks for taking me back there. The girl @5:00 I would immediately have asked her out.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Yes, great comment on the 5:00 mark. That photo of that girl kept capturing my attention when I was putting this video together! I'd take her AND the car!

[@vernwallen4246]

@@TheHistoryLounge Nice Corvette.

[@GT-bz9nc]

What a glorious decade to be alive in America. These pictures reflect all that my Father used to talk about when sharing his memories of the 50’s: family, community, patriotism, respect, and unity. It’s all gone to hell over the seven decades that followed.

[@Brainbaskit]

unless you were black. Then you got lynched.

[@arnold3785]

Yes, sure great time if you were white!

[@matthewvoss7365]

The photos in this video were very beautiful. I wouldn't have made it as a kid in the 1950's. Watching Dennis The Menace and Mister Ed reruns made life look easy back then.

[@GT-bz9nc]

@@arnold3785 ok wokester.

[@marknewton6984]

Remember when people dressed up for air planes: Women in high heels, men in fedoras.

[@lescobrandon3047]

I was born in 1941 pre-war and the fifties at first was mostly about day dreaming that I was a teammate of Duke Snider and Jackie Robinson. Later in the 1950’s while in Long Island high school, I became a fan of Rock and Roll. When I graduated from HS I got into hot rod racing. So does anyone else remember a hamburger and Coke for 25 cents? Seeing this video got me back in my mind to those days. Nice job, History Lounge.,,,,,,

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Great comments - thanks for watching, @lescobrandon3047!

[@frankpienkosky5688]

rock and roll was for teenyboppers...college kids were into folk music....

[@miriambucholtz9315]

I remember getting a hamburger and an ice cream soda for 50 cents when I was about 11 years old. I remember getting on a bus, going to a bigger neighboring city by myself, and spending the afternoon window shopping and having my meal in Woolworth's.

[@Standswithabeer]

Morals...Dignity...Respect...Wholesomeness...Cleanliness. Where has it gone.

[@johnpadel]

I loved your video. I was born in 1977, but I'd love traveling back to those days. Such a nice style.

[@RodBeauvex]

The things that always strike me is how happy and healthy everyone looks, and what really floors me is how colorful and clean and well kept everything is. From the 70s on everything seems all gritty and rundown.

[@sess122]

Indeed, I call it the "creep of liberalism, socialism, progressivism, slithering their wretched, evil and destructive tentacles into every aspect of traditional American society and culture...rooted in Communist infiltration that J. Edgar Hoover warned about in his 1958 book, "Masters of Deceit".

[@yeboscrebo4451]

Yep I noticed the same thing

[@crabbymilton390]

So why did we stop?

[@sess122]

@@crabbymilton390 The 1960s, the decade that began America's descent into "slobivian".

[@crabbymilton390]

@@sess122 Once again, we need to keep the moral issues which at the present time do stink no argument from me there. I’m talking about products, science and technology. Some ways the old things are better and other ways they aren’t. I had 8 cars in my 58 years. My first car was a 1972 AMC MATADOR. It was 13 years old and very rusted. It had a 5.0L v8 150 HP. and fuel mileage was 11 at best. The car was not very comfortable and smooth either. I now have a 2023 NISSAN ALTIMA. 2.5L 4 188HP and well into the 30’s for fuel mileage. The car is smooth, comfortable and quiet. I was dreading the idea of a 4 cylinder engine since they used to be crude and rough. I can’t believe this wonderful smooth 4. It runs less than 2000rpm at 70mph. So not everything was better back then.

[@ronlheureux7623]

I was born in 1948 and this was really my first decade. I don't remember that much of that time, but this video does bring back some very special memories from my childhood. Thank you.

[@marcioj.6376]

Beautiful photos. I get emotional looking at these photos and feeling the vibe of a time that everything indicates was wonderful. Greetings from Brazil

[@TheHistoryLounge]

I'm glad you liked the video - thanks for commenting!

[@johnreitz5676]

Thank you for sharing these! I was born in 1954 and remember much of the world shown here. A world of wooden phone booths, dime stores, Rexall drug stores with lunch counters, men in hats, women in gloves, service stations with actual service. Not a perfect place. but I'd love to go back for a few days.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Wow - born in 1954 you had a chance to see the tail end of this era in person. That's cool to have seen life like this. (Too many people wearing sweatpants around nowadays!)

[@johnreitz5676]

@@TheHistoryLounge I have been fortunate. I know Chicago and St. Louis well and can think of several businesses that haven't changed much in 70plus years. They aren't trying to look retro, but see no reason to update much. There are others. Recently I saw an episode of "Highway Patrol" from the late 1950s it always has plenty of period stuff. The episode I saw featured "The Brentwood Inn". I looked into it and found it is still in business, modernized just enough to stay competitive. The next time I go to LA I know where I'll be staying. Don't get me started about the way people dress today or otherwise attractive women being vandalized with tattoos. (Yes, I am a curmudgeon...and proud of it.)

[@jamesrivera4947]

"Progress has never been a bargain."--Jerome Lawrence

[@portnuefflyer]

Yes, but let's not forget polio (I had a friend whose mom was in a iron lung) the Korean War, and the Cold War, it was a scary time in a lot of ways also. I bet in years to come people will look back at the good old days of 2023, it's human nature.

[@virago1776-h4g]

@@portnuefflyer Sometimes people just want to remember the good things.

[@bobbybeeman7280]

I am 74 I once had a 1959 Rambler that averaged 27 mi per gallon sometimes around 30 on the highway. My 53 chevy would get anywhere from 18-23 miles a gallon. My friends 55 ford 6 cylinder got about 25 mpg. The 50 models were the best all round car ever. Easy to maintain, less break downs, an 8 year old kid could do any repair needed. The 50's people had more respect for one another. Kids were taught with a switch to their bottom side or arms it was not to long that they were decent kids. I acted up a bit about 4-5 years old but Ma ma and grandma knew what tree limbs were made for.

[@mkeogh76]

My parents are Silent Generation (born in 1941 & 1942) and grew-up in this era. Like all eras, life had its up-and-downs. In 1956, my maternal grandfather died age 42 from a heart issue that modern medicine could have prevented. My dad and his younger brother would serve in Vietnam. Still, my parents loved growing-up in the late 40's/50's, and both would say things were really never the same after JFK's assassination and the 60's really became "The 60's." I grew-up in the aftermath of the counterculture and in postmodern, post-sexual revolution and drug-culture America. While I have fond memories of growing-up in the late 70's/80's, I cannot help feeling that I'm looking upon a lost civilization when I see videos of the world of my parents' youth.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Great comment - thanks for posting. It sounds like you and I probably grew up around the same time.

[@frankpienkosky5688]

50's were a time of unbounded optimism...things just kept getting better...60's were a time of increasing pessimism as things just kept getting worse...

[@grampy2014]

mkeogh76: I’m your parents age. Yes the country changed with the assignation of JFK. But not as much as with 9/11. It all went down hill from there.. I pray everyday for my children ( your age ), my grands, & great grands. They will live in a different USA.

[@grampy2014]

@@frankpienkosky5688 The 60’s became more liberal. We got further away from basic values. The results are where we are today. We truly lived in the best of times way back then.

[@dc10fomin65]

January 8 I was 74, when I see pictures like this it just makes me cry to see how messed up and disgraced this country has become, I am in the twilight of my life and don't have the energy to fix anything anymore, let the young people take over, it's their life!

[@grenzhochspannungshindernis]

no energy is nothing to do with the age. watch what you eat and drink... boiled/steamed food only, no added sugar to tea or coffee, no sweets... take vitamins, raw fruits and vegs, drink more still water daily and more physical activity, try to walk slowly long distances... my ex boxing trainer will be 88 this year, he still comes to the gym every day and box with the young ones... looks like nothing to do with the age... good luck

[@eugene8524]

Your generations are responsible

[@dc10fomin65]

@@eugene8524 Guilty as charged, you are right, the people we elected to run the country failed in total, you and your generation will have to fix the problem, sorry.

[@megenberg8]

@@eugene8524 people merely didn't know what was coming. they became complacent and came to rely on media for direction almost 100%. it can be reduced to a single point, Eugene. generally, people had no awareness. and life demands it. they allowed themselves to trust in things most unworthy. that is called human ignorance. also known as innocence or naivety. it yet persists. stay alert!!

[@ladyd8339]

The difference in the decades is what wears you out! To see our country deteriorate as it has breaks your heart! To remember the happy days to what we have now makes you weary!

[@kevinlee6672]

This is what I call America! This is why people love the old America. The America as we see it today is in shambles God help us all!

[@jonna3474]

My parents were born in 1929 and 1932. I enjoy watching things like this and figuring out their age in that time period and how life must have been for them. I miss my folks but they are in heaven having a great time.

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Great times they were! 🇺🇸

[@marcob4630]

When America was really GREAT!

[@TheMrSuge]

For some. For others it's better today

[@marcob4630]

@@TheMrSuge : The lack of elegance and jolliness is quite an evidence today! There are amost only dark pretentious and clumsy SUVs: good for boasters.

[@peterjohnson1734]

@@TheMrSuge For most it was a saner nation

[@marcob4630]

@@peterjohnson1734 true!

[@Mustang1984]

God America was beautiful back then. Makes me tear up. Was born in 84, wishing I lived back then.

[@lucasqs4366]

Was beautiful but not anymore because now we have much more blacks and socialists here

[@pauls4522]

camera colortone really helps add that warm Vaseline effect for sure. 1950s objects at shows today just do now have the same glow as this video XD

[@Mustang1984]

@@pauls4522 Yeah it's beautiful!

[@marknewton6984]

Yes America was beautiful back then!

[@ibrahimrubio5220]

The 1950’s were by far the best years for our beautiful country. God bless America.

[@vladimirtalizin514]

Мы из Украины , надеемся что настанут и у нас такие времена , по этому боремся

[@robertthacher2660]

Ir only libsticks would remember that

[@ROGER2095]

It depends on how you look at it. I'm 70: Born in the 50's in Chicago. We had much less crime, much lower taxes, more freedom, less daily stress, and better basic education. Mothers stayed at home raising children and fathers brought home the bacon. Doctors made house calls. That's all true. We also had polio, cholera, out of control TB, smallpox, air and water pollution, more expensive food, clothing, phone calls, and fuel (when compared to wages), less safe and efficient cars, shorter life span, and only 5 black & white channels on TV. Nostalgia makes us forget the bad things.

[@rickmiller1429]

@@vladimirtalizin514 Goodluck to you all and I hope they do.

[@heru-deshet359]

@@ROGER2095 There are many more BAD memories being made today that there were back then.

[@paulhyde1834]

It all seems so happy, healthy, wholesome and prosperous. Certainly, this is just a 'snapshot', but in retrospect, at least, the 50's seem to be such a safe, cosy time.... compared to now! tHANKS!

[@haroldbrown1998]

I was 10 years old and it was the best time to live.

[@lynnhoff2209]

The cars had such beautiful designs and they all didn’t look alike! It was a much simpler time. I lived in the fifties as a kid!

[@VegaTakeOver]

i have a question, during those times did you know that everything looked pretty or was it a everyday thing that seemed normal so you didn't really put much thought into your surroundings? because i feel pure wonder and joy when looking at these pictures

[@StinkFingerr]

@@VegaTakeOver No, We appreciated and enjoyed it at the time.

[@starababa1985]

Summer joyrides in those wonderful cars, with 50s music spilling out of the windows, what happiness! My oldest brother had a pink Cadillac with a cream top that was constantly being borrowed for weddings. In return he and his fiance were invited to countless receptions with great food and live polka bands. It was the best fun.

[@marknewton6984]

@@starababa1985 My uncle had a '57 Chevy. Beyond cool!

[@matadorelin]

amazing clarity! feel like going through a time machine almost...

[@TheHistoryLounge]

I'm glad you think so, @matadorelin! That's kind of what I'm going for with these!

[@ThePatriotPoet23]

Born in 1950 ... Thank you... Soooooo ... Much for your heart warming video ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lianacrinageorg2781]

My dearest American people my biggest regret it's that I wasn't born in USA and at this time 50 60! For my they were the best YEARS ever 😢YOU'RE SOOOO LUCKY! ❤

[@1940limited]

Lucky dude had a new Cadillac convertible on his wedding day.

[@GordoGambler]

Could be a rental or rich daddy. Is this Harvard?? LOL.

[@kntfhvn]

The world was a beautiful place until the internet and social media fucked everything up

[@timothyforsythe3155]

This American no longer exist. So sad what we are becoming.

[@heartofoak45]

It seems a relatively innocent age and probably was an almost drug-free life for the majority of the population.

[@evelynwhittington5089]

People nicely put together. Beautiful cars. I wish I could go back to those days. Life is so different and stressful now.

[@marknewton6984]

Return to Paradise

[@lancelot1953]

Hi History Lounge, thank you for the memories - thank you for bringing me back to a time of innocence, freedom, and eternal optimism for the future. Life was not perfect but we found ourselves fortunate - America was the promised land, we were going to make it. Selective Service (draft) was over the horizon but the world was at peace, Hell, even Elvis Presley did his service to the nation. We learned honor, duty, and respect, at home, at school, at the boys clubs (Boy/Girl Scouts, 4H, ...), at church, and the community did set boundaries but was overall friendly. May God bless (and save) America, Ciao, L (Veteran)

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Hi @lancelot1953. Thank you for your service to our country, and for your well-said comments. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts!

[@frankpienkosky5688]

people routinely got drafted in the 50's...2 years and you were done...it was the time of Sgt. Bilko.....

[@megenberg8]

Ciao! if anyone finds themselves despondent, may I suggest a little vacation in Rome? the refreshing immersion in a traditional way of life and culture. San Pietro's is very restorative and awesomely, wondrously beautiful - magnifico!!! the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon - all within easy walking - and the Italians are excellent hosts!! it is worth it to garner your resources and go! thank you for your service!

[@lancelot1953]

@@megenberg8 Hi Lady Tate, I fully agree with you. I deployed to Italy and Sicily in my younger years where I noticed that no self-respecting Italian boy would invite a Lady dressed with oversize worn-out, too short and hole/tear-"decorated" jeans wearing flip-flops and baseball caps. As "military ambassadors" to our country, we were well-advised to show respect to our hosts, a common sense approach to visiting other countries. Visiting "old countries" did reinforce education and training I had benefited from parochial schooling. Peace be with you, Ciao, L.

[@bbmousedoowop]

I was born in 1943, and all of this is very familiar. One note, the pic of the Clydesdales in Beverly, ME is actually Beverly, MA. I don't live far from there. The poster for the North Shore Music Theatre on Route 128 is a dead giveaway. I've been there many times. Nice job! A great compilation.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Great catch on that location - you're exactly right. Thanks for posting!

[@marcvandervelsen]

I'm from Europe and have not been to the USA often, but if I compare this footage with the footage from the USA today, I tend to feel the country is on the brink of collapse. It's sad actually.

[@Anthonycapone8146]

marcoverzee2631 It is, our country's a mess, it's very sad.

[@carlcarlson7724]

Good times, easy life. Two years in the Army and married Jan. 19, 1957. Graduated from college 1960 with the first 2 of 4 children. Now 89.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Hey Carl - I appreciate your service to our country. Thanks for watching and for sharing your comments - I hope this video brought back some good memories!

[@constantreader8760]

@@TheHistoryLounge Happy Anniversary!

[@frankpienkosky5688]

far less anxiety in our lives back then...great time to be a kid....

[@carlcarlson7724]

@@frankpienkosky5688 Absolutly

[@jamesorozco1243]

The beautiful naive 50s when there was no computers internet or cell phones but people were happy

[@truthadvocacy]

gadgets don't make happiness.

[@alarmservicepros]

I miss my country.

[@DavidEVogel]

Born in 1949 my mom bought my brother and I cowboy outfits complete with a holster and 6-shooter. We played Cowboys and Indians for hours on end. Today children are forbidden from playing Cowboys and Indians: its insensitive. And the idea of a holster with a toy gun is also a no-no. Your child might grow up to be a serial killer.

[@harlandranney3580]

I just turned 76 and remember especially the neat cars of this period. So much more interesting and colorful than today's drab choices. I observe there weren't many overweight people versus today.. No need for liposuctions , etc! You'd think 70 years later we'd be smarter, but look at all the high calorie eating going on. Pathetic.

[@jeffmullinix7916]

The girl is smoking Marlboro cigarettes . Not good at all .

[@hebneh]

4:02 - Identified as "location unknown", this Pontiac is parked in the driveway of the Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1956. The two women are tourists and the man standing between them is a driver / tour guide for McKenzie Tours, who's wearing that company's distinctive red & yellow uniform shirt.

[@paulderyck2573]

Thanks for pointing this out! It's indeed the well-known Waikiki Aquarium.

[@gregatkinson7276]

I was born in1963 and remember my dad and a friend talking and one said to the other "remember when you could get a job anyplace you wanted to work in short order?" The other said "yep, if you started checking in the morning you would have a job by noon." I was born 20 years too late.... Thank you again for posting these great photos of the best times ever had in our country.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Hey Greg - Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts. Great comments and points well taken!

[@KnockOffBeingFat]

Well thats happening right now in LAZY america!

[@ericlindenmuth7517]

My Dad graduated from Penn State in 1951. He got a job at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica. He told me the day he started there was a line of 1,500 people also starting that day. He could work as much overtime as he wanted.

[@brucekrause2801]

Remember profit sharing? You'd qualify after a couple years, if the company did well we all shared in the profits. Also, no matter what your income, even minimum wage, there was an affordable apartment somewhere nearby. I remember riding the EL, subway, all night and not being bothered. I'd hitchhike across the country during the summer school breaks. A carefree time in America 1950s, early 1960s.

[@michelgouverneur885]

@@ericlindenmuth7517 i am melancolic when i watch these pics .....i am not américan but i love this era .

[@francineforte8798]

I can relate to so many of those photos; sooo moving. Bring bak those days.

[@crockermud]

This was the beginning of Camelot. It was truly a magical time. Until the day JFK was shot. Then everything unraveled: Vietnam, Martin Luther King and RFK assassinations, Watergate, and on and on. Those early times are meant to remember and cherish in all their innocent glory.his was the beginning of Camelot. It was truly a magical time. Until the day JFK was shot. Then everything unraveled: Vietnam, Martin Luther King and RFK assassinations, Watergate.

[@insaneone4369]

The Kennedy's were corrupted troubled family.

[@Tom-ok2rh]

Beautiful is still beautiful. That woman at 4:50 would turn heads today just as much as she probably did in the 50s❤️❤️

[@QuadriviumNumbers]

Totally disagree.

[@megenberg8]

it was America. we were going to live that way forever. beautiful time

[@RobertGSwan]

Take me back !! A much better time period in America !

[@rubenizaguirre3989]

For some people it was, but not for others. For those who were not WASP it was a totally different experience back then.

[@virago1776-h4g]

@@rubenizaguirre3989 Yes, we know that already.

[@MrCrchandler]

@@rubenizaguirre3989 And who the hell cares?

[@gerardmackay8909]

@@MrCrchandler the people who aren’t WASP care

[@MrCrchandler]

@@gerardmackay8909 i couldn't care less what the vermin care about.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

It's like I want to pause every picture and stare at each one for hours. Your description is every question I ask when watching these too - It's stunning.

[@Unknown17]

Thank you, although this made me sad and nostalgic.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Me too.

[@nickcurran3105]

Instead of boys playing and fishing in the stream at the 2:39 mark, I get Central Americans bathing with soap and washing their clothes with detergent in Goose Creek, a scenic river that feeds the Potomac. Thank you so much for the Progress!

[@tommccabe4000]

Beautiful photos, awesome cars and happy people a great era, thanks...

[@8784-l3b]

America was on the ascension in the 1950's. Now there is this. Too many sins. Too many. Sad. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Am I not able, house of Israel, to deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, house of Israel. At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot it, to tear it down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I planned to bring on it. Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will relent of the good with which I said that I would bless it. -excerpt Jeremiah 18

[@717rocket]

Would love to be back there now!

[@bluesharp59]

Thumbs up on another great video. Great cars and lots of neon lights back then.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Thanks, @bluesharp59! I really appreciate your kind words and I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos!

[@bluesharp59]

@@TheHistoryLounge You are welcome and I'm glad I subbed you.

[@carlv8168]

The shot of Burlington, Iowa at 04:41, must be off by about 10 years. It's labeled 1956, but you can clearly see a first-generation '60s Mustang on the street, a parked '66 Rambler, a '60s Chrysler wagon in front of it, and that blue gas station truck which is a '64 Chevy C/10.

[@TheModelingHermit]

I was noticing that too.

[@carlv8168]

@@TheModelingHermit Yeah, looks like this video needs some editorial clean-up with the help of someone born in the early 1950s (or earlier) to fact-check for authenticity.

[@michaelharrison7072]

Those were great times .Great country Miss the 50s! I dont recognise this country anymore .Looks like s Africa !

[@janiceblackmon7980]

So sad America will never be like this ever again in life what happened to American was it political was the greed for money was stupidity what's it education what went wrong in America..

[@Anthony-rz6uw]

how awesome id image it would have been back thenn,,, Im 49 years old and all i think about when watching your videos is...... how have we gotten it all so wrong now. what a shame.

[@hikerx9366]

This is a strange thought but sometimes after viewing so many videos such as these taking people back to different decades and cultures........It almost feels like it was an planned event in time that happened then was erased. Left with only the memories of it, people from then on accepted every change to the world good and bad, until there began to be more wrong than right. Our world on the brink of extinction is less than one generation, what happened is what I continually ask myself. This look back is such a great and positive thing for people to view, ....to know there was a time when GOOD OUTWEIGHED THE EVIL. Thanks HL.

[@erebus79]

It started with the "counter culture revolution" of the 60s, which was completely artificial and controlled by the CIA, FBI and other government agencies.

[@thefish5861]

I'm with you. Born in 1951. The world was just better back then. There is some kind of weird evil loose in the world, and I feel powerless to stop it.

[@CaptainYourself2]

@@thefish5861we aren’t powerless, we all just haven’t come together yet

[@timmcneill5617]

Thanks for this trip down memory lane. I'm in my 70's, but recall a good deal of the atmosphre of the time. And what I don't remember I have in pictures from my parents. I see a lot of what could be old Toronto where I was born and still live. And of course, those awesome cars.

[@TheHistoryLounge]

Hi @timmcneill5617 - Thanks for your comments. I'm glad to know that you liked the video.

[@richert8]

The country was safe. We had laws. We had police. The good old days.What do we do now?

[@marknewton6984]

Duck for cover!

[@gwnben]

The murder rate was nearly double what it is today. Even in the idyllic 1950s at the height of the American dream, the violent crime rate was almost identical to what it is now. Domestic violence and sexual assault--including child molestation--were far more common in the 50s - 80s than it is now. Ur blinded by nostalgia

[@evelynwhittington5089]

What a beautiful era. I hate the way of life today.

[@nassar57]

Imagine a world void of thought control billionaires and their politician puppets utterly hell-bent on making everyone's life as miserable as possible. People had faith in the word of God. Everything was closed on Sundays. They believed in sin, salvation and the after life. Look at their faces and you'll see how genuinely happy people were.

[@gwzaiser]

Beautiful work! I'm a 50's kid, life was good

[@williamcarlson5405]

From WC, we think that the 2020’s are so great with all the electronics, including the cameras on our houses,because we are sure someone is going to break in and take our possessions?! In the 50’s we did not lock our house or car, kids could run free on Halloween without fear of something happening to them, our schools were wide open with no fear of someone coming in and trying to shoot all the children! Yes a lot of things were manual then requiring effort, but I have to tell you I think most of us grew up a lot happier then, and oh yes we didn’t have to worry about drugs then for us, our family, or our friends! One more thing we tried to go to church most every Sunday! We also had the military draft 2 years or if we I listed for 3 or 4 years we came home, got a job, had a family and built a life for ourselves and our children so they could succeed in life!

[@frankpienkosky5688]

...that about sums it up...

[@christophercook723]

You mean the United States the Country, not the whole Continent.

[@christophercook723]

@@tebelshaw9486 Nit Technically but Factually, as they all live on the same Continent.

[@rickschucker9697]

Life truly was good !!, so sorry we all can’t enjoy it anymore!

[@triode1]

I was a teen in the 50s-10 to 20. Great years to experience being an American. 🥳

[@sambrannan7550]

If you had money

[@frankpienkosky5688]

@@sambrannan7550 ....and most did....in ever increasing amounts....

[@Rennrogue]

@@sambrannan7550 and were white, male, and Christian.