In the news1962
First nuclear electricity connected to grid
The BR 3 reactor, Belgium's first electricity-producing nuclear reactor, was connected to the power grid.
Born 16 Jun 1964
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16 Jun 1964
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In the news1962
The BR 3 reactor, Belgium's first electricity-producing nuclear reactor, was connected to the power grid.
Getting around
Transition from trams to buses in Brussels
During the 1950s, public transport in Brussels and other regions relied heavily on trams, but many lines were rapidly replaced by bus services, causing service frequencies to drop; for instance, waiting times increased from six or seven minutes to about twelve minutes.
At the table
Potatoes were the staple of daily life
In the 1950s, potatoes were a staple of the daily diet, with average consumption reaching 150 kilograms per person annually, compared to roughly 80 kilograms today. Households followed a strict meal pattern of potatoes, meat, and vegetables, often considered the holy trinity of the time.
Around the world · 1969People walk on the Moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon, watched live on television by some 600 million people.
What people wore
Belgian boys' clothing in the 1950s-1960s
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Belgian boys frequently wore short pants until they were 12 or 13 years old, sometimes even until age 16 for school uniforms. By the 1960s, American-style casual wear like T-shirts began to gain popularity among the youth.
Music
Flamenco Socializing in Immigrant Communities
In immigrant communities, private parties often featured spontaneous singing and dancing to sevillanas and rumbas. After formal restaurant performances ended, guests sometimes held private gatherings to enjoy more authentic flamenco music.
Daily life
Weekly bathing and public shower houses
Bathing was a weekly ritual, often taking place on Saturdays in an oval tub that narrowed at the feet, with the same water frequently used for the entire family. In some communities, public shower houses existed, such as one in Zaventem where a shower cost 1.50 BEF.