1957 was a critical year for musician Leonard Bernstein. Here are 10 facts to help put the events of that dynamic year in context, compared to today.
World population?
- 1957: 2.9 billion
- 2017: 7.6 billion
What’s on TV?
- 1957: Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” premieres (ABC); “I Love Lucy” last episode (“The Ricardos dedicate a statue”) records and airs (CBS)
- 2017: “Stranger Things 2” premieres (Netflix); “Bones” last episode airs (Fox)
Best movie?
- 1957 Academy Award for Best Picture winner: Bridge on the River Kwai
- 2017 Academy Award for Best Picture winner: Moonlight
On our bookshelves?
- 1957 New Releases: Ian Fleming From Russia With Love / Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat
- 2017 New Releases: George Saunders Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel / Neil deGrasse Tyson Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
Annual household income?
- 1957: $4,500
- 2017: $56,516
Buy a new house ?
- 1957: $12,000
- 2017: $375,090
Rent an apartment (per month)?
- 1957: $90
- 2017: $1,300
Purchase a… ?
- 1957: Car $2,749 / Gallon of gasoline $0.24/ Movie ticket $0.50
- 2017: Car $33,560 / Gallon of gasoline $2.49 / Movie ticket $8.84
Who was born?
- 1957: Spike Lee / Gloria Estefan / Daniel Day-Lewis / Hans Zimmer / Steve Buscemi / Katie Couric
- 2017: (… check back in 50 years?)
Who died?
- 1957: Humphrey Bogart / Arturo Toscanini / Laura Ingalls Wilder / Joseph McCarthy / Grace Coolidge / Erich Korngold
- 2017: Della Reese / Malcolm Young / Fats Domino / Tom Petty / Hugh Hefner / Jerry Lewis / Chester Bennington / Adam West / John Hurt
Figures based on 2017 data and US averages.
