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The World in 1951 the year the biggest election yet began

India's first election gave a vote to about 173 million people, most of whom could not read. Each party was given a picture, a pair of oxen or a hut or a lamp, so voters could find it on the ballot.

Life back then

The evening belonged to the radio in most houses, with serials, quiz shows and a ball game read out play by play. Plenty of homes shared a party line, so a neighbour could lift the receiver and hear every word. Only about one home in four had a television, but I Love Lucy started in October and Monday nights began to empty the streets. CBS sent out the first colour show in June, though only about thirty sets in the country could receive it. British families still handed over coupons for meat and sugar six years after the war.

The year in 8 events

• 🎖️Apr 11 President Truman removes General Douglas MacArthur from his command in Korea.
• 🏭Apr 18 Six countries sign a treaty in Paris to run their coal and steel industries together.
• 🎡May 3 The Festival of Britain opens on the South Bank in London.
• 💻Jun 14 The US Census Bureau takes delivery of the UNIVAC, the first computer made to be sold rather than built one of a kind.
• 📜Sep 8 Japan signs a peace treaty with 48 countries in San Francisco. The occupation ends when it takes effect the next year.
• 📺Oct 15 I Love Lucy begins on CBS. It is filmed in Hollywood in front of a live audience.
• 🗳️Oct 25 Britain votes and Winston Churchill returns as prime minister at the age of 76.
• 🌍Dec 24 Libya becomes independent, the first country to get there through a vote at the United Nations.

Who Was in Charge?

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