1957 Silver Half Dollar - A Year In Review

I recently picked up this 1957 Franklin Half Dollar. When this beauty was minted Dwight D. Eisenhower occupied the White House.

America was reaching for the heavens in 1957.

In New York City the Seagrams Building was completed. Not to be outdone by New York, in America's Second City (at the time any way) Chicago the Inland Steel Building was completed.

Inland Steel Building in Chicago.

In 1957, Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play professional baseball retired after ten years with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Dr. Seuss published the beloved tale of "The Cat in the Hat."

MARCH MADNESS

The Tarheels of North Carolina defeated Kansas to claim the 1957 Basketball Championship.

The Stanley Cup

The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins to take the Cup.

Top on the Pop Charts in 1957

Buddy Holly and the Crickets rock America with "That'll Be the Day." Take a Listen!

Move Over Serena

Alethea Gibson takes the courts at Wimbledon, the first African American to do so!

Little Rock and President Eisenhower

The public schools in Little Rock were scheduled to begin integration. On the eve of the new school year crowds gathered to prevent integration. The governor of Arkansas called out the National Guard to preserve public order, and prevent integration. President Eisenhower called out the 101st Airborne Division to escort black students into the High School. In a very subtle move, only white troops from the 101st were sent to Arkansas for escort duty. In addition, President Eisenhower, nationalized the Arkansas National Guard, placing them under his command and removing them from the Governor's command.

President Eisenhower (Republican) signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957 into law. The old general was busy that September. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was essentially a voting rights act ensuring all Americans of the right to vote.

The World Series Milwaukee Braves 4: New York Yankees 3

Hank Aaron leads the Milwaukee Braves to victory in the Series 4-3 over the New York Yankees, with eleven hits, including a triple, three home runs and seven RBI.

Star Wars

The Soviet Union lunched Sputnik into orbit and the Space Race was on.

The Gold Bugs Favorite Read

Ayn Rand publishes the novel Atlas Shrugged. I can say that I personally have read the entire novel.

The year of 1957 seems like it was a very busy year, then again every year in America is a busy year.

We are always changing, always struggling, always a restless Nation on the move but then again we are a Nation unlike any other Nation. Sometimes we are great, and sometimes we are horrific, and yet through the years we strive ever forward to reach those perhaps unreachable goals.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Declaration of Independence

Peace and have a great weekend.