Category Archives: 1950s

‘Come Softly to Me’ by The Fleetwoods peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 13 1959)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, April 13, 1959) — “Come Softly to Me” by The Fleetwoods peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four consecutive weeks (Apr. 13/20/27, May 4, 1959). Continue reading ‘Come Softly to Me’ by The Fleetwoods peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 13 1959) →

NASA introduces first seven U.S. astronauts 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1959)

1950s, space exploration


Video: 'Mercury 7 Press Conference' (3 videos)

(Thursday, April 9, 1959) — Seven young military test pilots (Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard and Donald Slayton) were presented as the first seven U.S. astronauts, quickly dubbed the “Mercury Seven,” at a press conference held today by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Washington. Continue reading NASA introduces first seven U.S. astronauts 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1959) →

‘Raining in My Heart’ by Buddy Holly peaks at #88 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1959)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, April 6, 1959) — “Raining in My Heart” by Buddy Holly, who died Feb. 3, 1959, at age 22 in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, peaked at #88 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Raining in My Heart’ by Buddy Holly peaks at #88 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1959) →

‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’ by Buddy Holly peaks at #13 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 30 1959)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, March 30, 1959) — “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” by Buddy Holly, who died last month in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, peaked at #13 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘It Doesn’t Matter Anymore’ by Buddy Holly peaks at #13 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 30 1959) →

‘Some Like It Hot’ premieres in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 28 1959)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Marilyn Monroe - Some Like it Hot premiere 1959'

(Saturday, March 28, 1959, 8:30 p.m. EST) — Some Like It Hot, an American black and white romantic comedy film about two musicians on the run from gangsters who masquerade as members of an all-girl band, premiered tonight at Loew’s State Theatre at 1540 Broadway in New York City. Continue reading ‘Some Like It Hot’ premieres in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 28 1959) →

‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ opens in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1959)

1950s, Movies 1950s, The Holocaust


Video: 'DIARY OF ANNE FRANK PREMIERE - NO SOUND'

(Wednesday, March 18, 1959, 8:30 p.m. EST) — The Diary of Anne Frank, a film based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, based on the personal diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who lived in hiding with her family during World War II, premiered tonight at RKO Palace in New York City’s Times Square. Continue reading ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ opens in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1959) →

Barbie fashion doll debuts 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1959)

1950s


Video: '1959 First EVER Barbie Commercial High Quaility HQ!'

(Monday, March 9, 1959) — Barbie, a fashion doll created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler and manufactured by the American toy company Mattel, Inc., debuted today at the American International Toy Fair in New York. Continue reading Barbie fashion doll debuts 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1959) →