Category Archives: 1950s

Hundreds killed in Bombing of Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires 70 years ago this hour (June 16 1955)


Video: 'A 60 años del bombardeo de Plaza de Mayo - Canal Encuentro HD'

(Thursday, June 16, 1955, 12:40 p.m. ART) — Members of Argentina’s military bombarded the Plaza de Mayo today in Buenos Aires in a failed attempt to assassinate President Juan Domingo Peron and his Cabinet, causing hundreds of civilian deaths, the same day Peron was excommunicated by Pope Pius XII for expelling two bishops from his country.

‘Lady and the Tramp’ animated musical romantic comedy film premieres in Chicago 70 years ago this hour (June 16 1955)


Video: 'Lady and the Tramp' trailer

(Thursday, June 16, 1955)Lady and the Tramp, an animated romantic musical comedy film produced by Walt Disney about the adventures of an American Cocker Spaniel named Lady who lives with a refined, upper-middle-class family, and a male stray mutt named Tramp, premiered this morning at State-Lake Theatre, 190 N. State Street, Chicago. Continue reading ‘Lady and the Tramp’ animated musical romantic comedy film premieres in Chicago 70 years ago this hour (June 16 1955)

‘The $64,000 Question’ quiz show premieres on CBS-TV 70 years ago this hour (June 7 1955)


Video: '$64,000 Question - 1955 episode with Dr. Joyce Brothers'

(Tuesday, June 7, 1955, 10:00 p.m. EDT) — The television version of the quiz show The $64,000 Question premiered tonight on CBS, sponsored by cosmetics maker Revlon and originating live from CBS-TV Studio 52 in New York (later the disco-theater Studio 54). Continue reading ‘The $64,000 Question’ quiz show premieres on CBS-TV 70 years ago this hour (June 7 1955)

Barbara Graham executed at San Quentin State Prison in California 70 years ago this hour (June 3 1955)


Video: 'The BRUTAL Execution Of 'Bloody Babs' Barbara Graham'

(Friday, June 3, 1955, 11:28 a.m. PDT) — Convicted murderer Barbara Graham, 31, was executed today in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison in California, as were two accomplices, Jack Santo and Emmett Perkins, for the 1953 slaying of Mabel Monahan.

‘The Seven Year Itch’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour (June 1 1955)


Video: 'Marilyn Monroe & Joe DiMaggio Attend The Seven Year Itch Premiere, 1955'

(Wednesday, June 1, 1955, 8:30 p.m. EDT)The Seven Year Itch, a romantic drama film about a married man whose wife is on vacation and falls for the blonde bombshell upstairs, premiered tonight at Loew’s State Theatre at 1540 Broadway on Times Square in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Seven Year Itch’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour (June 1 1955)

JFK resumes Senate duties after battling back from surgery 70 years ago today (May 23 1955)


Video: 'May 23, 1955 - Senator John F. Kennedy returns to the Senate

(Monday, May 23, 1955) — Senator John F. Kennedy returned to duty today from a seven-month absence made necessary by major back surgery.

Chuck Berry records his first single, ‘Maybellene’ for Chess Records in Chicago 70 years ago today (May 21 1955)


Video: 'Chuck Berry - Maybelline (1955)'

(Saturday, May 21, 1955) — Chuck Berry today recorded “Maybellene,” his first single release and his first hit, at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago for Chess Records. Continue reading Chuck Berry records his first single, ‘Maybellene’ for Chess Records in Chicago 70 years ago today (May 21 1955)

‘Dance with Me, Henry’ by Georgia Gibbs peaks at #2 in USA 70 years ago today (May 21 1955)

(Saturday, May 21, 1955) — “Dance with Me, Henry” by Georgia Gibbs was the #2 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Dance with Me, Henry’ by Georgia Gibbs peaks at #2 in USA 70 years ago today (May 21 1955)

‘Rock Around the Clock’ by Bill Haley and His Comets debuts at #22 in USA 70 years ago today (May 14 1955)

(Saturday, May 14, 1955) — “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets (featuring the late Danny Cedrone, who died June 17, 1954, three days before his 34th birthday of a broken neck after falling down a staircase, on the electric guitar solo), widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world, debuted at #22 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores top 30 chart. Continue reading ‘Rock Around the Clock’ by Bill Haley and His Comets debuts at #22 in USA 70 years ago today (May 14 1955)