1953

Events

History of the Doctor Who Universe

13th April

• The first James Bond novel, Casino Royale by Ian Fleming, is published, launching a literary (and later film) franchise that would become a dominant part of Earth popular culture well into the 21st century. Bond would be referenced on numerous occasions in the Doctor's life, and Fitz Kreiner would also impersonate the character. (EDA: Demontage)

1st June - 2nd June

• Queen Elizabeth II is crowned at Westminster in London. The coronation is televised live, and as no one in the village of Llanfer Ceiriog has a television, the townsfolk travel by bus to Doctor Snape's house in Gwydyr to watch it on his set. (NA: Cat's Cradle: Witch Mark)

• The Doctor trapped The Wire following its attacks on multiple Londoners. (DW: The Idiot's Lantern)

18th December

• The Sky Gypsy disappears. (TW: Out of Time)

Unknown date

• Production of "Peace Babies", a candy introduced in 1919, resumes after a hiatus caused by the Second World War. The confection returns with a new name, Jelly Babies, and is destined to become a favorite treat of the Doctor, particularly his fourth incarnation.

Exact dates unknown

• Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, based on the witch trials at Salem Village, is written. The First Doctor and his companions will see a production of the play in Bristol the following year ("The Witch Hunters").

• Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart begins his military career (DW: "Mawdryn Undead").

History of Doctor Who

The Quatermass Experiment written by Nigel Kneale airs on BBC Television, many of the ideas and situations in the serial were later used in Doctor Who.

1952

20th Century 1950s

1954