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 10 May 1955
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10 May 1955
Born
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General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
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
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.
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 Europe1957
Six countries signed the Treaty of Rome, the start of what became the European Union.
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.