Monthly Archives: May 2012

Carpenter safe after Aurora 7 overshoots planned landing area 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: May 24, 1962 (at 20:50)

(Thursday, May 24, 1962, 12:41:21 p.m. EDT) — Astronaut Malcolm Scott Carpentered orbited the world three times today in his Aurora 7 spacecraft, but overshot the planned landing area in the Atlantic Ocean by 200 miles. Splashing down to earth at 12:41 p.m. EDT, Carpenter was sighted in a life raft outside his floating Mercury space capsule shortly after 1:20 p.m. EDT.

President Rhee proclaims martial law in Pusan, South Korea 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: May 24, 1952 (at 6:18)

(Saturday, May 24, 1952, during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — South Korean President Syngman Rhee declared martial law today around the temporary capital of Pusan (now spelled Buson), and had some of his opponents in the National Assembly arrested. Continue reading President Rhee proclaims martial law in Pusan, South Korea 60 years ago today (1952)

‘The Miracle Worker’ opened in New York 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'The Miracle Worker' trailer

(Wednesday, May 23, 1962)The Miracle Worker, a biographical film about the determined teacher who helped Helen Keller overcome deafness and blindness to learn to communicate, opened today at the Astor and the Trans-Lux Fifty-second Street theaters in New York.

Directed by Arthur Penn, the film stars Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft, both of whom would win acting Oscars for reprising their Broadway roles as Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan.

Midler serenades Carson on final ‘Tonight Show’ 20 years ago this hour (1992)

(Thursday, May 21, 1992, 11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. EDT) — Johnny Carson hosted the final regular edition (with guests in front of a studio audience) of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” featuring Robin Williams and Bette Midler, who slowly sang the pop standard “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road).” Continue reading Midler serenades Carson on final ‘Tonight Show’ 20 years ago this hour (1992)