Look Back To 1952: What Happened That Year

A new Queen, the Great Smog and the first ever singles chart in November.

Here's 1952 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.

In the charts in 1952

• The first official UK singles chart was published on 14 November, with Al Martino's 'Here in My Heart' at number one.
• 'Here in My Heart' stayed at the top for nine weeks and was number one at Christmas.
• The chart listed only twelve positions at first.

In the news in 1952

• King George VI died on 6 February; Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya and returned as Queen.
• The Great Smog settled over London in December and is estimated to have killed thousands.
• The Lynmouth flood in August killed 34 people.
• Identity cards were abolished in February.

On screen in 1952

• Television coverage of the King's funeral drew large audiences.
• Singin' in the Rain and The Greatest Show on Earth were in the cinemas.
• The BBC was still the only broadcaster.

In sport in 1952

• Manchester United won the league.
• Britain won one gold at the Helsinki Olympics, in the equestrian team event.
• Newcastle United retained the FA Cup.

Everyday life in 1952

• Tea came off the ration in October.
• Coal fires and industrial smoke made the December smog so thick that buses were led by men on foot.
• Record players were becoming affordable, which is partly why a chart appeared at all.

If you were born in 1952

• Anyone born in 1952 was born in the first year of Elizabeth II's reign.
• They are the same age as the UK singles chart.
• Anyone born in 1952 turns 30 in 1982, 40 in 1992, 50 in 2002, 60 in 2012 and 70 in 2022.
• 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

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Frequently asked questions

What was the first UK number one?

'Here in My Heart' by Al Martino, on the first chart published on 14 November 1952.

What was the Great Smog?

A severe smog over London from 5 to 9 December 1952, caused by coal smoke trapped by still, cold air. It led to the Clean Air Act of 1956.

How old is someone born in 1952?

Subtract 1952 from the current year. They turn 40 in 1992, 50 in 2002, 60 in 2012 and 70 in 2022.

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.