Category Archives: 1950s

U.S. President Harry S. Truman announces whether he’ll seek a third term 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1952)

1950s, U.S. Presidents

Video: 'PBS - American Experience - Truman (1997) 5of5' (Mar. 29, 1952, at 44:57)

(Saturday, March 29, 1952, 10:30 p.m. EST; during the 1952 Democratic Party presidential primaries) — President Harry S. Truman, president of the United States since the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt on Apr. 12, 1945, dramatically announced tonight that he would not be a candidate for re-election and would not accept the nomination if he were drafted by the Democratic convention. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman announces whether he’ll seek a third term 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1952) →

‘Singin’ in the Rain’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 27 1952)

1950s, Movies 1950s, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'Singin' in the Rain' trailer

(Thursday, March 27, 1952, 10:35 a.m. EST) — A silent-screen swashbuckler finds love while trying to adjust to the coming of sound in Singin’ in the Rain, an American musical romantic comedy that premiered this morning at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 27 1952) →

Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed organizes first rock ‘n’ roll concert 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1952)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'Alan Freed apologized for The Moondog Coronation Ball riot 65 years ago.'

(Friday, March 21, 1952, 10:00 p.m. EST) — Alan Freed, a disc jockey who popularized the term “Rock and Roll” at WJW-Radio in Cleveland, Ohio, organized what is generally accepted as the first major rock and roll concert — the Moondog Coronation Ball — tonight at the Cleveland Arena. Continue reading Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed organizes first rock ‘n’ roll concert 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1952) →

‘Wheel of Fortune’ by Kay Starr peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1952)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, March 15, 1952) — “Wheel of Fortune” by Kay Starr was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of nine consecutive weeks (Mar. 15/22/29, Apr. 5/12/19/26, May 3/10 1952). Continue reading ‘Wheel of Fortune’ by Kay Starr peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1952) →

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) →