Pop Culture Trivia Quiz: 1954

What Happened In 1954?

54 Trivia Questions and Answers for 1954 History

(answers)

1. What was the highest-grossing film of 1954?

2. Name the first nuclear-powered submarine, launched in Groton, Connecticut.

3. In 1954, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?

4. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1953/1954 season

5. Who ran the first-mile run in under four minutes in Oxford, England?

6. What was Diane Leather’s athletic record set in Birmingham, UK, that same year?

7. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1954

8. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1954?

9. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1954?

10. How much did a Pound of Butter cost in 1954?

11. How much did a pound of bacon cost in 1954?

12. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1954?

13. How many people lived in the United States in 1954?

14. How many people lived in the World in 1954?

15. First published in 1954, what was the first of three volumes in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings?

16. This cereal had three colors: “Orangey Orange” (formerly Orange Orange), “Lemony Yellow” (formerly Lemon Yellow), and “Raspberry Red.” Name that Cereal!

17. William Golding’s first novel has become one of the most-read young-adult books ever. Name that book.

18. Who was the President of the United States in 1954?

19. What was the average household income in 1954?

20. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1954?

21. Founded in 1954, this franchise is recognized as the longest-running franchise in the film industry. Name the film (and character) that started this movie dynasty.

22. More than 12 million people immigrated through this port-of-entry in New York Harbor between 1892 and 1954…

23. This fast-food burger franchise opened in 1954, in Miami, Florida.

24. True or False: In 1954, the Roman Catholic Church said that watching Mass on television fulfilled obligations.

25. What did General Mills introduce in 1954 as a sugar-coated version of its popular Kix cereal?

26. What did The Supreme Court rule on Brown v. Board of Education establish?

27. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1954?

28. What notable surgery did Dr. Joseph Murray accomplish on December 23, 1954?

29. What other widely-used life-saving medical skill was first demonstrated in 1954, usually referred to as a three-letter word?

30. Although invented in 1954, this food-storage container was not available to the public until the late 1980s. Name that product.

31. Name one of the two car companies that merged to form American Motors Corporation.

32. Who was the 1954 Time Magazine Man of the Year?

33. This group was formed in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America as an alternative to government regulation. It was defunct by early 2011. Name that self-censoring association.

34. Name the first soft drink company to sell soda in a can.

35. After the formation of the NCAA Division I athletic conference in 1954, what sports term has been used to describe eight specific private universities in the Northeastern United States?

36. Richard Matheson’s novel had three film adaptations, starring Vincent Price (1964), Charlton Heston (1971), and Will Smith (2007). One of the films used the same title as the book. Name that book.

37. Based on a George Orwell book, name the first British-made, wide-release animated film.

38. What day honoring US Servicemen and women was replaced by Veteran’s Day in 1954?

39. To the nearest quarter, what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1954?

40. This James Bond title was the second book in the book series and the eighth in the film franchise…

41. This long-running NBC late-night show was originally hosted by Steve Allen.

42. Which sports star was NOT born in 1954: Ozzie Smith, Björn Borg, Chris Evert, or Willie Hernandez

43. What clothing company used the slogan: “Lifts and Separates”?

44. On June 14, 1954, what two words were added to the United States Pledge of Allegiance?

45. What phrase did President Dwight D. Eisenhower use to describe the spread of Communism?

46. Who won the 1954 World Series?

47. The first mass vaccination of children against polio began in what Pennsylvania city?

48. Name the film based on a 1954 book of the same name that featured Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock.

49. Gerry Thomas, a Swanson food employee, was the primary creator of what product?

50. A picture of Milwaukee Braves’ Eddie Mathews and New York Giants catcher Wes Westrum was featured on the cover of what magazine’s first edition?

51. Released July 19, 1954, what was the name of Elvis Presley’s first single?

52. This jet, flown between 1953 and 1983, is often credited with beginning the Jet Age

53. Name the product that used the tagline: “(product) that’s how you spell relief.”

54. What company used the slogan: “The Milk Chocolate Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand”?

Trivia Team Bonus Questions:

1. M&Ms also offered something else new in 1954. Name that new and popular product.
Peanut M&Ms

2. Who was the Pope in 1954?
Pope Pius XII, March 2, 1939October 9, 1958

3. This influential 1954 Japanese epic samurai drama film was co-written, edited, and directed by Akira Kurosawa. Name that classic film.
Seven Samurai

4. What company introduced the first 16-ounce beer can?
Schlitz

5. True Knowledge, an answer engine developed by William Tunstall-Pedoe, has designated this day the most boring day in the 20th century.
April 11, 1954

6. Who were the 1954 NBA Champions?
For the 1953-54 Season, Champion Minneapolis Lakers won 4 games to 3 over the Syracuse Nationals

7. Who were the 1954 NFL CHampions?
Cleveland Browns

8. Who was the American Vice-President in 1954?
Richard Nixon (January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961)

9. What was notable about the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at an all-time high of 382.74 on November 23, 1954?
It was the highest it had reached since the great depression (381.17 on September 3, 1929)

10. What team won the FIFA World Cup in 1954?
West Germany

The Answers:

54 Trivia Questions and Answers for 1954 History

1. What was the highest-grossing film of 1954?
White Christmas

2. Name the first nuclear-powered submarine that was launched in Groton, Connecticut.
The USS Nautilus

3. In 1954, what was the average life expectancy in the United States?
Men – 66.7 years, Women – 72.8 years.

4. What was the Top-Rated TV Show in the 1953/1954 season?
I Love Lucy (CBS)

5. Who ran the first-mile run in under four minutes in Oxford, England?
Roger Bannister (3 minutes, 59.4 seconds)

6. What was Diane Leather’s athletic record set in Birmingham, UK, that same year?
Fastest female; running the first-mile run in under five minutes (4 minutes and 59.6 seconds)

7. What was the Biggest Number One Song of 1954?
Little Things Mean a Lot by Kitty Kallen (followed closely by Sh-Boom by The Crew-Cuts)

8. How much did a Loaf of Bread cost in 1954?
17 cents

9. How much did a Gallon of Milk cost in 1954?
92 cents

10. How much did a Pound of Butter cost in 1954?
72 cents

11. How much did a pound of bacon cost in 1954?
82 cents

12. Who won the Stanley Cup in 1954?
In 1954, The Detroit Red Wings won over the Montreal Canadiens (4 games to 3)

13. How many people lived in the United States in 1954?
The population was an estimated 163,025,854 people.

14. How many people lived in the World in 1954?
The estimated world population in 1954 was 2,713,172,027 people.

15. First published in 1954, what was the first of three volumes in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings?
The Fellowship of the Ring

16. This cereal included three colors: “Orangey Orange” (formerly named Orange Orange), “Lemony Yellow” (formerly named Lemon Yellow), and “Raspberry Red”. Name that Cereal!
Trix

17. William Golding’s first novel has become one of the most-read young-adult books ever. Name that book.
Lord of the Flies

18. Who was the President of the United States in 1954?
Dwight D. Eisenhower (January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961)

19. What was the average household income in 1954?
$4,200

20. What was the Bestselling Fiction Book in 1954?
Not as a Stranger by Morton Thompson

21. Founded in 1954, this franchise is recognized as the longest-running franchise in the film industry. Name the film (and character) that started this movie dynasty.
Godzilla

22. More than 12 million people immigrated through this port-of-entry in New York Harbor between 1892 and 1954…
Ellis Island

23. This fast-food burger franchise opened in 1954, in Miami, Florida.
Burger King

24. True or False: In 1954, the Roman Catholic Church said that watching Mass on television fulfilled obligations.
False. Catholics still had to go to church, health permitting.

25. What did General Mills introduce in 1954 as a sugar-coated version of its popular Kix cereal?
Trix cereal

26. What did The Supreme Court rule on Brown v. Board of Education establish?
That separating children in public schools based on race was unconstitutional.

27. How much did a gallon of gas cost in 1954?
$0.29 per gallon

28. What notable surgery did Dr. Joseph Murray accomplish on December 23, 1954?
The first human organ (kidney) to be transplanted successfully was between identical twins Richard and Ronald Herrick.

29. What other widely-used life-saving medical skill was first demonstrated in 1954, usually referred to as a three-letter word?
CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation)

30. Although invented in 1954, this food-storage container was not available to the public until the late 1980s. Name that product.
Zipper storage bags (Ziploc bags)

31. Name one of the two car companies that merged to form American Motors Corporation.
Hudson Motor Car Company or Nash-Kelvinator Corporation

32. Who was the 1954 Time Magazine Man of the Year?
John Foster Dulles

33. This group was formed in 1954 by the Comics Magazine Association of America as an alternative to government regulation. It was defunct by early 2011. Name that self-censoring association.
Comics Code Authority

34. Name the first soft drink company to sell soda in a can.
Royal Crown (RC)

35. After the formation of the NCAA Division I athletic conference in 1954, what sports term has been used to describe 8 specific private universities in the Northeastern United States?
The Ivy League (Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University)

36. Richard Matheson’s novel had three film adaptations, starring Vincent Price (1964), Charlton Heston (1971), and Will Smith (2007). One of the films used the same title as the book. Name that book.
I Am Legend

37. Based on a George Orwell book, name the first British-made, wide-release animated film.
Animal Farm

38. What day honoring US Servicemen and women was replaced by Veteran’s Day in 1954?
Armistice Day (Remembrance Day in other countries)

39. To the nearest quarter, what was the average movie theater ticket price in 1954?
50 cents

40. This James Bond title was the second book in the book series and the eighth in the film franchise…
Live and Let Die

41. This long-running NBC late-night show was originally hosted by Steve Allen.
The Tonight Show

42. Which sports star was NOT born in 1954: Ozzie Smith, Björn Borg, Chris Evert, or Willie Hernandez
Björn Borg (born June 6, 1956)

43. What clothing company used the slogan: “Lifts and Separates”?
Playtex

44. What two words were added to the United States Pledge of Allegiance as of June 14, 1954?
“under God”

45. What phrase did President Dwight D. Eisenhower use to describe the spread of Communism?
The “Domino Effect”

46. Who won the 1954 World Series?
In 1954, The New York Giants won, beating the Cleveland Indians (4 games to 0)

47. The first mass vaccination of children against polio began in what Pennsylvania city?
Pittsburgh

48. Name the film based on a 1954 book of the same name that featured Bill Haley’s Rock Around The Clock.
The Blackboard Jungle

49. Gerry Thomas, a Swanson food employee, was the primary creator of what product?
The TV Dinner

50. A picture of Milwaukee Braves’ Eddie Mathews and New York Giants catcher Wes Westrum was featured on the cover of what magazine’s first edition?
Sports Illustrated

51. Released July 19, 1954, what was the name of Elvis Presley’s first single?
That’s All Right (Blue Moon of Kentucky was the B-side)

52. This jet, flown between 1953 and 1983, is often credited with beginning the Jet Age
Boeing 707

53. Name the product that used the tagline: “(product) that’s how you spell relief.”
“Rolaids; that’s how you spell relief”

54. What company used the slogan: “The Milk Chocolate Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hand”?
M&Ms

Trivia Team Bonus Questions:

1. M&Ms also offered something else new in 1954. Name that new and popular product.
Peanut M&Ms

2. Who was the Pope in 1954?
Pope Pius XII, March 2, 1939 – October 9, 1958

3. This influential 1954 Japanese epic samurai drama film was co-written, edited, and directed by Akira Kurosawa. Name that classic film.
Seven Samurai

4. What company introduced the first 16-ounce beer can?
Schlitz

5. True Knowledge, an answer engine developed by William Tunstall-Pedoe, has designated this day the most boring day in the 20th century.
April 11, 1954

6. Who were the 1954 NBA Champions?
For the 1953-54 Season, Champion Minneapolis Lakers won 4 games to 3 over the Syracuse Nationals

7. Who were the 1954 NFL CHampions?
Cleveland Browns

8. Who was the American Vice-President in 1954?
Richard Nixon (January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961)

9. What was notable about the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at an all-time high of 382.74 on November 23, 1954?
It was the highest it had reached since the great depression (381.17 on September 3, 1929)

10. What team won the FIFA World Cup in 1954?
West Germany