1953-1955

Dingell enters private law practice. 

1954-1955

Dingell serves as Assistant Prosecutor in Wayne County.

1955 is noteworthy for:

• The Salk vaccine, a cure for polio, is discovered at the University of Michigan.  During Congressman Dingell's time in office, polio will be virtually eradicated from the earth.
• McDonald's opens its first restaurant.  Over the next 50 years they will sell billions and billions of hamburgers.
• Disneyland opens in California.
• Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and his Comets is the Number 1 song.
• Tennessee Williams wins the Pulitzer Prize for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
• The Ed Sullivan Show wins an Emmy for best new show.
• The average life expectancy is 69.6 years.  (In 2005 it is 77.6 years.)
• US Gross Domestic Product is $415 billion.  (In 2005 it is $11.7 trillion.)

9.19.1955

John Dingell, Sr. passes away.

11.8.1955

Dingell, at age 29, wins Democratic Primary to run for his father's seat.  He beats 13 opponents.

12.13.1955

Dingell wins Special Election to serve out unexpired term of his father, defeating Thomas E. Brennan, the Republican nominee. Dingell wins with 76% of the vote over Brennan.  (Evening Star, 12.14.55)