Video: 'You Bet Your Life - Secret Word, Foot (September 15, 1947)'
(Monday, October 27, 1947, 8:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. EST) — You Bet Your Life, an American comedy quiz series hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, premiered tonight on ABC Radio (it would move to CBS Radio in 1949 and then transition to NBC-TV and NBC Radio in 1950). Continue reading ‘You Bet Your Life’ debuts on ABC radio 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 27 1947)
Video: 'Ronald_Reagan HUAC Testimony Excerpt, 1947'
(Thursday, October 23, 1947; during the Second Red Scare and the Cold War) — Film actor Ronald Reagan, President of the Screen Actors Guild and future President of the United States, appeared before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) today as a “friendly” witness, testifying “I do not believe the Communists have ever at any time been able to use the motion-picture screen as a sounding board for their philosophy or ideology.” Continue reading Reagan testifies on pro-Communist influences in Hollywood 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1947)
Video: 'Hollywood 'Red' Probe, HUAC Hearings Begin 1947/10/20'
(Monday, October 20, 1947, 10:30 a.m. EST; during the Second Red Scare and the Cold War) — The House Un-American Activities Committee opened hearings today in Washington, D.C., into alleged Communist influence and infiltration in the U.S. motion picture industry. Continue reading Congress investigates Communists in Hollywood 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 20 1947)
Video: 'Chuck Yeager Breaks the Sound Barrier -- X-1 -- 1947'
(Tuesday, October 14, 1947, 10:26 a.m. PST) — Air Force test pilot Chuck Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier today as he flew the experimental Bell XS-1 (later X-1) rocket plane at Mach 1.07 at an altitude of 45,000 ft over the Rogers Dry Lake in the Mojave Desert in California. Continue reading Chuck Yeager first person to break sound barrier 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1947)
Video: 'American Experience The Kennedys 1' (Oct. 1947, at 51:38)
(Saturday, October 11, 1947) — U.S. Rep. John F. Kennedy, 30, cut short his seven-week European tour today and sailed for home from Southampton, England, after being diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare disorder of the adrenal glands, which regulate metabolism and the body’s response to stress and inflammation. Continue reading JFK, diagnosed with Addison’s disease, departs England 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 11 1947)
(Saturday, September 20, 1947) — “Near You” by Francis Craig and His Orchestra (Bob Lamm, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for 12 consecutive weeks (Sept. 20/27, Oct. 4/11/18/25, Nov. 1/8/15/22/29, Dec. 6, 1947). Continue reading ‘Near You’ by Francis Craig and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 20 1947)
Video: 'Footage - Pers. - Nehru - 1947 August 15, #01'
(Friday, August 15, 1947, 10:30 a.m. IST) — India became an independent country today as Jawaharlal Nehru became the nation’s first prime minister and participated in the official raising of the Indian flag in New Delhi’s War Memorial Square in front of half a million people. Continue reading India becomes independent of British rule 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1947)
Video: 'Pakistan Independence - 1947 | Today in History | 14 Aug 16'
(Thursday, August 14, 1947, 9:33 a.m. PKT) — The Dominion of Pakistan was formed today when the Muslim majority region formed by the Partition of India gained independence (the day before the partition of India officially took effect) as Muhammad Ali Jinnah was sworn in as its first governor general in Karachi. Continue reading Pakistan becomes independent of British rule 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1947)
(Saturday, August 9, 1947) — “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” by Tex Williams and His Western Caravan peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for six consecutive weeks (Aug. 9/16/23/30, Sept. 6/13, 1947). Continue reading ‘Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)’ by Tex Williams peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1947)
Video: 'Listen to I, the Jury Audiobook by Mickey Spillane, narrated by Mike Dennis'
(Friday, August 1, 1947) — The first novel by American crime-fiction writer Mickey Spillane, I, the Jury, featuring the debut of private eye Mike Hammer, was published today. Continue reading Mickey Spillane’s debut novel ‘I, the Jury’ published 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 1 1947)
