Category Archives: 1950s

‘The Purple People Eater’ by Sheb Wooley peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 9 1958)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, June 9, 1958) — “The Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Pop Singles in Stores chart for six consecutive weeks (June 9/16/23/30, July 7/14, 1958). Continue reading ‘The Purple People Eater’ by Sheb Wooley peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 9 1958) →

Unknowns of World War II and Korea are enshrined 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 30 1958)

1950s, U.S. Presidents, World War II

(Decoration Day, Friday, May 30, 1958, 3:19 p.m. EDT) — Two unidentified American servicemen, one of World War II and one of the Korean war, were interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns today at Arlington National Cemetery, with President Dwight Eisenhower placing a Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award, on each casket.

Rock star Jerry Lee Lewis heads home amid scandal 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 28 1958)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'Jerry Lee & Myra Lewis Interview ( 1958 )' (May 28, 1958)

(Wednesday, May 28, 1958) — Rock star Jerry Lee Lewis, 22, arrived today at Idlewild Airport in New York City after his six-week tour of Great Britain was cut short amid reports that his third wife, Myra Gale Brown, was only 13 years old, his first cousin once removed, and that for the second time, Lewis had failed to get divorced before remarrying. Continue reading Rock star Jerry Lee Lewis heads home amid scandal 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 28 1958) →

‘Gigi’ premieres in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 15 1958)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Gigi' trailer

(Thursday, May 15, 1958, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT) — Gigi, an American musical-romance film about a Parisian girl who is raised to be a kept woman but dreams of love and marriage, premiered tonight at the Royale Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘Gigi’ premieres in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 15 1958) →

100,000 welcome Nixon back from stormy tour 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 15 1958)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Nixon' (May 15, 1958, at 1:48)

(Thursday, May 15, 1958, 11:59 a.m. EDT) — Vice President Richard Nixon received a hero’s welcome today from President Dwight D. Eisenhower and other well-wishers on his return to Washington from a violence-marred tour of Latin America. Continue reading 100,000 welcome Nixon back from stormy tour 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 15 1958) →