Category Archives: 1950s

Student-sparked revolt against Hungary’s Soviet-backed communist regime begins 70 years ago this hour (Oct 23 1956)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'Selected Originals - Hungarian Revolution (1956)'

(Tuesday, October 23, 1956, peaceful demonstration of students started at about 2:00 p.m. at the Petofi square; during the Cold War) — The Hungarian Revolution of 1956, a nationwide revolt against the government of the Hungarian People’s Republic and its Soviet-imposed policies, began today as a student demonstration in Budapest. Continue reading Student-sparked revolt against Hungary’s Soviet-backed communist regime begins 70 years ago this hour (Oct 23 1956) →

‘Around the World in 80 Days’ film premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour (Oct 17 1956)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Around the World In 80 Days' trailer

(Wednesday, October 17, 1956, 8:30 p.m. EDT) — Around the World in 80 Days, an American epic science fiction-adventure film about a Victorian gentleman who bets that he can beat the world’s record for circling the globe, premiered tonight at the Rivoli Theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ film premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour (Oct 17 1956) →

‘Requiem for a Heavyweight’ episode airs on ‘Playhouse 90’ 70 years ago this hour (Oct 11 1956)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'RESTORED: Requiem for a Heavyweight - Playhouse 90 (1956)'

(Thursday, October 11, 1956, 9:30-11:00 p.m. EDT) — An over-the-hill heavyweight boxing champion is exploited by his manager, despite the efforts of a compassionate young woman who tries to help him recover his self-respect on tonight’s episode of the CBS television anthology drama series Playhouse 90. Continue reading ‘Requiem for a Heavyweight’ episode airs on ‘Playhouse 90’ 70 years ago this hour (Oct 11 1956) →

‘Giant’ epic Western drama film premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour (Oct 10 1956)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'George Stevens’s Giant New York Premiere (1956) documentary'

(Wednesday, October 10, 1956, 8:30 p.m. EDT) — Giant, an American epic Western drama film about a Texas ranching family that fights to survive changing times, premiered tonight at the Roxy Theatre at 153 West 50th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, just off Times Square in New York City. Continue reading ‘Giant’ epic Western drama film premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour (Oct 10 1956) →

Don Larsen pitches only perfect game in World Series history 70 years ago this hour (Oct 8 1956)

1950s, World Series


Video: 'WS1956 Gm5: Scully calls Larsen's perfect game'

(Monday, October 8, 1956, approximately 1:10-3:19 p.m. EDT; during the 1956 World Series) — Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in the history of the World Series as the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 2-0 in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Continue reading Don Larsen pitches only perfect game in World Series history 70 years ago this hour (Oct 8 1956) →

First call made by phone cable to Europe 70 years ago this hour (Sep 25 1956)

1950s


Video: '25th September 1956: Inauguration TAT-1, the first transatlantic telephone cable'

(Tuesday, September 25, 1956, shortly after 11:00 a.m. EDT) — The first trans-Atlantic telephone cable officially went into service today with a three-way ceremonial call between New York, Ottawa and London.

‘The Fool’ by Sanford Clark peaks at #7 in USA 70 years ago today (Sep 22 1956)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, September 22, 1956) — “The Fool” by Sanford Clark peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘The Fool’ by Sanford Clark peaks at #7 in USA 70 years ago today (Sep 22 1956) →

‘Rip It Up’ by Bill Haley and his Comets peaks at #25 in USA 70 years ago today (Sep 15 1956)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, September 15, 1956) — “Rip It Up” by Bill Haley and his Comets peaked at #25 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Rip It Up’ by Bill Haley and his Comets peaks at #25 in USA 70 years ago today (Sep 15 1956) →

Jay Hawkins records ‘I Put A Spell On You’ in New York City 70 years ago today (Sep 12 1956)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'Screaming Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on You (Official Audio)'

(September 12, 1956) — Screamin’ Jay Hawkins recorded “I Put A Spell On You” today in New York City. Continue reading Jay Hawkins records ‘I Put A Spell On You’ in New York City 70 years ago today (Sep 12 1956) →

Elvis Presley debuts on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 70 years ago this hour (Sep 9 1956)

1950s, Elvis Presley, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'Elvis Presley "Don't Be Cruel" (September 9, 1956) on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, September 9, 1956, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Elvis Presley, 21, debuted on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show, performing remotely from a CBS studio in Hollywood, where the singer was filming his first motion picture. Continue reading Elvis Presley debuts on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 70 years ago this hour (Sep 9 1956) →