In the news1956
First nuclear chain reaction achieved in Belgium
Belgium successfully achieved its first controlled nuclear chain reaction at the BR 1 research reactor in Mol.
Born 28 Dec 1959
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28 Dec 1959
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In the news1956
Belgium successfully achieved its first controlled nuclear chain reaction at the BR 1 research reactor in Mol.
What people wore
Women's fashion and daily wear evolution
Women in the 1950s often wore wide skirts supported by stiff petticoats to create a floral-like silhouette, while housewives commonly wore practical cotton aprons with pockets for daily tasks. By the late 1950s and early 1960s, trends shifted toward narrower, more geometric styles influenced by designers like Courrèges.
Daily life
Classroom life and strict discipline
Children often used a slate and stylus to write in school, and teachers sometimes tied the left hands of left-handed students to their desks to force them to write with their right hands. Class sizes were large, often reaching 30 students, and the school week included Saturday mornings.
In the news1958
The World Fair in Brussels, Expo 58, modernized the country and introduced citizens to a new era of global possibilities.
Music
Traditional Social Dances and Community Events
Common social dances in Belgium during this period included the polka, wals (waltz), schottische, and the linear branle. These dances were staples at local village celebrations and community events.
In Europe1948–1952
American aid of some $13 billion rebuilt the ruined economies of Western Europe.
Getting around
Average train journey distance in Belgium
Between 1950 and 1967, the average distance traveled by a train passenger remained stable at approximately 32.5 kilometers.