Cardiff was proclaimed the capital of Wales by the UK's Minister for Welsh Affairs.
Johnny Cash released 'Folsom Prison Blues.'
Rosa Parks was arrested.
James Dean's most acclaimed movie, 'Rebel Without a Cause,' was released in the US.
The Return of the King, the third installment in The Lord of the Rings book series by J. R. R. Tolkein, was published.
ABC aired the first episode of 'The Mickey Mouse Club.'
Hollywood actor James Dean died aged 24.
The ITV network launched in the UK, which became the BBC's first rival.
Swiss engineer George de Mestral patented velcro.
The Space Race began between the two Cold War rivals, the USA and the USSR.
Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & Comets reached #1 on the US singles charts.
The popular board game Scrabble went on sale in the UK.