Category Archives: 1950s

Britain’s King George VI dies; daughter Elizabeth, 25, becomes reigning sovereign of British Commonwealth and empire 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1952)

1950s


Video: 'ROYAL: The death of King George VI (1952)'

(Wednesday, February 6, 1952, George VI was discovered by his valet at 7:30 a.m. GMT; during the death and state funeral of George VI) — Britain’s King George VI, 56, died in his sleep today at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England, , 60 miles north of London, ending a 15-year reign that brought England the glory and the dregs of victory in World War II. Continue reading Britain’s King George VI dies; daughter Elizabeth, 25, becomes reigning sovereign of British Commonwealth and empire 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1952) →

‘Today’ news and talk morning television show debuts on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 14 1952)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'TODAY's First Broadcast: Jan. 14, 1952 | Archives | TODAY'

(Monday, January 14, 1952, 7:00 a.m. EST) — Today, the first news and talk morning television show in the world, debuted this morning on NBC with Dave Garroway as the host. Continue reading ‘Today’ news and talk morning television show debuts on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 14 1952) →

‘Cry’ by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1951)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, December 29, 1951) — “Cry” by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads (recorded Oct. 16, 1951 in New York City) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of 11 consecutive weeks (Dec. 29, 1951, Jan. 5/12/19/26, Feb. 2/9/16/23, March 1/8, 1952). Continue reading ‘Cry’ by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1951) →

‘The African Queen’ premieres in Los Angeles 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1951)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'The African Queen' trailer

(Wednesday, December 26, 1951, 12:45 p.m. PST) — A grizzled skipper and a spirited missionary take on the Germans in Africa during World War I in The African Queen, an adventure drama film adapted from the 1935 novel of the same name by C. S. Forester that premiered today at the Fox Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills, California. Continue reading ‘The African Queen’ premieres in Los Angeles 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1951) →

‘Dragnet’ debuts as a television series on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1951)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Dragnet S01E01 The Human Bomb'

(Sunday, December 16, 1951, 7:00 p.m. EST) — Dragnet, an American television series, based on the Jack Webb-created crime drama radio series of the same name that follows Sgt. Joe Friday as he and his partners methodically investigate crimes in Los Angeles, debuted tonight on NBC. Continue reading ‘Dragnet’ debuts as a television series on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1951) →

‘(It’s No) Sin’ by Eddy Howard peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1951)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, December 15, 1951) — “(It’s No) Sin” by Eddy Howard peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of two weeks (Dec. 15/22, 1951). Continue reading ‘(It’s No) Sin’ by Eddy Howard peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1951) →

‘Cold, Cold Heart’ by Tony Bennett peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1951)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, November 3, 1951) — “Cold, Cold Heart” by Tony Bennett peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of six consecutive weeks (Nov. 3/10/17/24, Dec. 1/8, 1951). Continue reading ‘Cold, Cold Heart’ by Tony Bennett peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 3 1951) →

‘I Love Lucy’ television sitcom starring Lucille Ball debuts on CBS 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1951)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: '"I LOVE LUCY" - Episode Spotlight: "The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub"'

(Monday, October 15, 1951, 9 p.m. EST) — I Love Lucy, an American television series often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential sitcoms in history, debuted tonight on CBS. Continue reading ‘I Love Lucy’ television sitcom starring Lucille Ball debuts on CBS 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1951) →

New York Giant Bobby Thomson hits ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 3 1951)

1950s


Video: 'The Shot Heard 'Round The World'

(Wednesday, October 3, 1951, 3:58 p.m. EST) — New York Giants outfielder Bobby Thomson hit the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” — a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of a playoff game off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca today at the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan, New York City — to send the New York Giants into the World Series. Continue reading New York Giant Bobby Thomson hits ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 3 1951) →

‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 18 1951)

1950s, Movies 1950s

(Tuesday, September 18, 1951, 8:30 a.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — The Day the Earth Stood Still, an American science fiction film about an alien who demands that Earth’s leaders choose between peace and destruction, opened this morning at the Mayfair Theatre in Times Square in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. Continue reading ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ opens in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 18 1951) →