Louis St. Laurent was Prime Minister of Canada. Dennis the Menace comic strip began. The Canadian dollar was quoted in New York on December 8 at a premium of 2 cents below the American dollar. Walt Disney produced Alice in Wonderland. Drive-ins, convertibles, ponytails, crew cuts, and strapless gowns were fashionable.
Peace talks begin in Korea.
Harry S. Truman was President of the United States. Alben W. Barkley was Vice-President. Jack in the Box opened its first restaurant. Canada extended its social service program with a comprehensive old-age pension plan. The population, of the United States was 154,287,000.