Category Archives: 1950s

Twenty-second Constitutional Amendment limiting U.S. presidents to two terms of office ratified 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 27 1951)

1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The 22nd Amendment Explained: The Constitution for Dummies Series'

(Tuesday, February 27, 1951) — The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which limits to two the number of times a person is eligible for election to the office of President of the United States, was ratified today when the Minnesota Legislature approved it, completing the requisite ratification by 36 of the then 48 states.
Continue reading Twenty-second Constitutional Amendment limiting U.S. presidents to two terms of office ratified 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 27 1951) →

85 killed, 500+ hurt in Woodbridge, New Jersey train derailment 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1951)

1950s


Video: '81 Killed In Train Wreck (1951)'

(Tuesday, February 6, 1951, 5:43 p.m. EST; during the Woodbridge train derailment) — A Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train jammed with rush hour commuters derailed today crossing a temporary wooden trestle in Woodbridge, New Jersey, killing 85 people and injuring over 500.
Continue reading 85 killed, 500+ hurt in Woodbridge, New Jersey train derailment 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1951) →

United Nations headquarters officially opens in New York 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1951)

1950s


Video: 'Behind the scenes of the UN General Assembly'

(Monday, January 8, 1951) — The $65 million Headquarters of the United Nations, an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation and be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations, officially opened today in New York City.
Continue reading United Nations headquarters officially opens in New York 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1951) →

Chinese, North Korean capture Seoul for second time during the Korean War 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 4 1951)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'Korean War - PART 18, Retreat from the North, 6.25' (Chinese, North Korea forces recapture Seoul at 4:26)

(Thursday, January 4, 1951, the entire US IX Corps had left Seoul by 7:40 a.m. Korea Standard Time; during the Third Battle of Seoul, part of the Korean War, the Cold War and the Korean conflict) — Chinese and North Korean communist forces occupied the smoldering ghost city of Seoul, South Korea, this morning and smashed to the banks of the Han River, following hard on the heels of United Nations troops retreating southward.
Continue reading Chinese, North Korean capture Seoul for second time during the Korean War 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 4 1951) →

‘Tennessee Waltz’ by Patti Page peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 30 1950)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, December 30, 1950) — “Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page with Orchestra under the direction of Jack Rael peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for nine consecutive weeks (Dec. 30, 1950, Jan. 6/13/20/27, Feb. 3/10/17/24, 1951). Continue reading ‘Tennessee Waltz’ by Patti Page peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 30 1950) →

‘The Thing’ by Phil Harris peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 2 1950)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, December 2, 1950) — “The Thing” by Phil Harris with Orchestra conducted by Walter Scharf peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for four consecutive weeks (Dec. 2/9/16/23, 1950).
Continue reading ‘The Thing’ by Phil Harris peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 2 1950) →

President Truman threatens to use atomic bomb to win Korean War 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1950)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Korean War - PART 16, The Low Point, 6.25' (Nov. 30, 1950, at 5:24)

(Thursday, November 30, 1950, 10:30 a.m. EST; during the Second Phase Offensive, part of the Korean War and the Cold War) — As Chinese forces of the People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) pushed back United Nations forces from the Yalu River, U.S. President Harry S. Truman frightened the world today when he declared during a press conference that UN forces would “take whatever steps are necessary to meet the military situation in Korea,” including use of the atomic bomb.
Continue reading President Truman threatens to use atomic bomb to win Korean War 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1950) →

Chinese launch massive offensive against advancing UN forces in Korea 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1950)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'Korean War- PART 15, The Rout of the UN, 6.25' (Second Phase Offensive at 4:36)

(Saturday, November 25, 1950, 5:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time; during the Second Phase Offensive, part of the Korean War and the Cold War) — One day after United Nations Command (U.S./UN) forces launched the Home-by-Christmas Offensive to expel Chinese forces from Korea and to end the Korean War, the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) launched it’s Second Phase Offensive today with the strength of between 300,000-390,000 soldiers. Continue reading Chinese launch massive offensive against advancing UN forces in Korea 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1950) →

78 Thanksgiving Eve commuters killed as trains crash on Long Island, New York 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 22 1950)

1950s


Video: 'Selected Original - 77 Dead In Long Island R. R. Crash (1950)

(Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 22, 1950, 6:29 p.m. EST) — 78 commuters were killed and another 363 injured tonight when two eastbound trains collided on the Long Island Rail Road’s Main Line between the Kew Gardens and Jamaica stations in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York City. Continue reading 78 Thanksgiving Eve commuters killed as trains crash on Long Island, New York 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 22 1950) →

First American troops reach Yalu River that separates North Korea and China 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 21 1950)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'Korean War- PART 15, The Rout of the UN, 6.25 ' (UN forces reach Yalu River at 1:54)

(Tuesday, November 21, 1950, as dusk fell at 5:30 p.m. Korea Standard Time; during the UN offensive into North Korea, part of  the Korean War and the Cold War) — Troops of the 7th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army’s X Corps today became the first American division to reach the Yalu River that separated North Korea and China, moving into the border city of Hyesan. Continue reading First American troops reach Yalu River that separates North Korea and China 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 21 1950) →