Look Back To 1950: What Happened That Year

Petrol came off the ration, the Festival of Britain was being built and there was no chart yet.

Here's 1950 in full - the music, the news, the screen, the sport and the ordinary details. Good for a birthday card, a party quiz round or a reminiscence session.

Popular music in 1950

• There was no official singles chart until November 1952, so popularity was measured by sheet music sales.
• 'Goodnight Irene' and 'Mona Lisa' were among the songs heard most that year.
• Dance bands and radio singers still dominated; the record shop was a small part of the music trade.

In the news in 1950

• A general election in February returned Labour with a tiny majority.
• Petrol rationing ended in May, though food rationing continued.
• The Korean War began in June and British troops were sent.

On screen in 1950

• Cinema attendance was near its peak, with most people going at least once a week.
• Television was a London-and-Midlands luxury with one channel and limited hours.
• The Blue Lamp introduced the character who became Dixon of Dock Green.

In sport in 1950

• England lost 1-0 to the United States at the World Cup in Brazil, one of the biggest upsets in the game.
• Portsmouth won the First Division.
• Arsenal won the FA Cup.

Everyday life in 1950

• Sweets were still rationed and would be until 1953.
• Most homes had a coal fire and no fridge.
• The Festival of Britain was being built on the South Bank for the following summer.

If you were born in 1950

• Anyone born in 1950 was born into rationing and a one-channel country.
• They were three at the coronation and sixteen when England won the World Cup.
• Anyone born in 1950 turns 30 in 1980, 40 in 1990, 50 in 2000, 60 in 2010 and 70 in 2020.
• For a milestone card, the strongest line is usually the number one from the week they were born rather than the year's biggest events - it's personal, and it takes two minutes to find.
• For a reminiscence session, read one section at a time and stop on whatever gets a reaction. The point is the conversation, not the facts.

Shop birthday cards

How to write it so it lands

• The number one from the week they were born beats the year's headlines on a card.
• Read one section at a time in a reminiscence session and stop where the conversation starts.
• Use it as a guess-the-year round by reading three facts and hiding the date.

Where to shop next

• Look back to 1953
• Look back to 1952
• Look back to 1951
• The 1950s: the whole decade
• 1950s party playlist
• Wartime and 1950s party games
• Playground games by region
• Clapping games and skipping rhymes
• Seaside and beach games
• Sweets that disappeared
• The 2020s so far
• The 2010s: the whole decade
• The 2000s: the whole decade
• The 1990s: the whole decade
• The 1980s: the whole decade
• The 1970s: the whole decade
• The 1960s: the whole decade
• The 1940s: the whole decade
• The 1930s: the whole decade
• The 1920s: the whole decade
• Decade calendar: every year from 1920
• Decade trivia: fun facts by era
• Decade trivia game: play for points
• Decade guides: books, films and TV by era
• Decade recipes: dishes and food trends by era
• Decade travel: destinations and holidays by era
• Decade tech: gadgets and computers by era
• Decade films: best movies and directors by era
• Decade art: artists, styles and trends by era
• Decade books: best novels, authors and reading trends
• Music by decade: albums, artists and songs
• Decade fashion: clothes, hair and accessories by era
• Nostalgia gift shop
• Retro party supplies
• Nostalgia birthday party by decade
• Nostalgia hamper and gift ideas
• Guess the year quiz
• Care home reminiscence quiz
• Reminiscence gifts for grandparents
• Milestone birthday cards
• Shop birthday cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

Was there a UK chart in 1950?

No. The first official singles chart was published in November 1952. Before that, sheet music sales were the measure.

What was still rationed in 1950?

Meat, bacon, sugar, sweets, butter and other basics. Petrol rationing ended in May 1950; food rationing lasted until 1954.

How old is someone born in 1950?

Subtract 1950 from the current year. They turn 40 in 1990, 50 in 2000, 60 in 2010 and 70 in 2020.

Do you sell anything to do with this year?

We make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK, including milestone birthday cards. This page itself is free to read and free to copy.