1950s: Most children whose parents have died or who cannot care for them live in institutions. Orphanage care has been in decline, however, in the United States since the end of World War II.

1990s: Institutional care has fallen out of favor among childcare experts. Though they still exist in some places, orphanages have not been an important factor in child welfare in the United States for a decade. Foster care or support for continued care within the family is preferred.

1950s: In 1954 the Supreme Court rules that segregation by race in public schools is unconstitutional. Black and white children begin to attend the same schools for the first time in many communities. The new law meets fierce opposition. In 1958 the governor of Arkansas calls for the Little Rock schools to be closed rather than integrated.

1970s: Courts find that "de-facto" school segregation&mdash...