Video: 'Eisenhower Gives Press Conference (1955)'
(Wednesday, January 19, 1955, 10:32 a.m. EST; during the Cold War) — A presidential news conference was filmed for television and newsreels for the first time today, with the permission of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Continue reading Presidential news conference filmed for TV, newsreels for first time 70 years ago this hour (Jan 19 1955)
Video: 'LIVE TV RESTORATION: Patterns - Kraft Television Theatre 1955'
(Wednesday, January 12, 1955, 9:00-10:00 p.m. EST) — Patterns, an original play by Rod Serling about corporate politics and big business power games, was presented live tonight on NBC as part of the anthology series Kraft Television Theatre.
Directed by Fielder Cook, the intense big-business drama starred Richard Kiley, Everett Sloane and Ed Begley.
Video: 'Marian Anderson canta Un ballo in Maschera'
(Friday, January 7, 1955, evening EST; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — Singer Marian Anderson made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York tonight in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, becoming the first black person to perform there as a member. Continue reading Marian Anderson becomes first African-American to perform with Metropolitan Opera in New York 70 years ago tonight (Jan 7 1955)
Video: 'Eisenhower's 1955 State of the Union Address'
(Thursday, January 6, 1955, 12:31 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — In his annual State of the Union address, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower laid his legislative program before the new Democratic-controlled Congress today with a plea for harmony and a solemn warning that this is a year of trial in the world’s wavering course toward durable peace or atomic holocaust. Continue reading U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower urges harmony, cites Soviet threat in State of the Union address 70 years ago this hour (Jan 6 1955)
(Saturday, December 4, 1954) — “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes (knees played by Archie Bleyer, orchestra conducted by Archie Bleyer) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for seven consecutive weeks (Dec. 4/11/18/25, 1954, Jan. 1/8/15, 1955). Continue reading ‘Mr. Sandman’ by The Chordettes peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1954)
Video: '2nd December 1954: US Senator Joseph McCarthy censured by the Senate'
(Thursday, December 2, 1954, 5:03 p.m. EST; during the Second Red Scare and the Cold War) — The United States Senate voted 67 to 22 today to censure Sen. Joseph McCarthy of (R-Wisconsin) for “conduct that tends to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute.” Continue reading U.S. Senate condemns Sen. Joseph McCarthy in 67-22 vote for unethical conduct 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 2 1954)
(Saturday, November 13, 1954) — “I Need You Now” by Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for three consecutive weeks (Nov. 13/20/27, 1954). Continue reading ‘I Need You Now’ by Eddie Fisher peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1954)
(Saturday, November 6, 1954) — “This Ole House” by Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra (bass vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week, the singer’s second consecutive number one hit on the chart (following “Hey There”). Continue reading ‘This Ole House’ by Rosemary Clooney peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 6 1954)
Video: 'Officers aboard the USS Nautilus SSN-571 submarine for her commissioning ceremony...HD Stock Footage'
(Thursday, September 30, 1954, 3:11 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — The world’s first atomic-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, officially joined the United States Navy today, marking a significant milestone in naval technology and a strategic answer to the growing naval power of the Soviet Union. Continue reading World’s first nuclear-powered submarine commissioned by U.S. Navy at Groton, Connecticut 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 30 1954)
Video: 'First Tonight Show 9/27/54'
(Monday, September 27, 1954, 11:30 p.m. EDT) — The Tonight Show, the world’s longest-running talk show and the longest-running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, made its debut tonight on NBC under the original title Tonight. Continue reading ‘The Tonight Show’ debuts on NBC with host Steve Allen, pioneering late-night television 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1954)
