Fun facts from 1952
- A July 2: Polio vaccine is tried for the first time on human beings: Dr. Jonas Salk, (who developed the vaccine), his wife, and children
- United States Population: 157,552,740
- World Population: 2.635 billion
- Mr. Potato Head is introduced by Hasbro
- "Anchor" is coined to describe the Most Trusted Man in America aka Walter Cronkite of CBS
- Harry S. Truman was President and Alben W. Barkley was Vice President in 1952
- United States explodes first thermonucleur bomb at Enewetak Island in the Marshall Islands
- Cost of a first class postage stamp was 3 cents
- Greece and Turkey join NATO
TELEVISION--
- January 14: NBC's Today Show debuts with host Dave Garroway
- June 19: "I've Got a Secret" debuts on CBS
- "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" begins on ABC
- "This is Your Life" premieres on US tv
- "See It Now" premieres, hosted by Edward R. Murrow
SPORTS—
- 1952 World Series: New York Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers (4-3)
- NFL: Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns (17-7)
- Stanley Cup: Detroit Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens (4-0)
- NCAA Basketball Championship: Kansas vs. St. John's (80-63)
- Boxing: June 25, Yankee Stadium- Joey Maxim defeats Sugar Ray Robinson by knockout to retain his world light heavyweight title
ACADEMY AWARDS
- Best Motion Picture: "The Greatest Show on Earth"
- Best Actor: Gary Cooper in "High Noon"
- Best Actress: Shirley Booth in "Come Back, Little Sheba"
MUSIC--
- Johnnie Ray has the hit "All of Me"
- Eddie Fisher has the hit "Anytime"
- Jo Stafford releases the album "As You Desire Me" "
- Art Pepper releases "The Early Show"
- Joni James begins her recording career at MGM
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS IN 1952--
- January 14: Maureen Dowd
- April 10: Steven Seagal
- May 21: Mr. T
- June 7: Liam Neeson
- July 1: Dan Aykroyd
- November 3: Roseanne Barr