Category Archives: 1950s

‘Perry Mason’ series debuts on CBS-TV 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 21 1957)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Perry Mason S01E01 - The Case Of The Restless Redhead'

(Saturday, September 21, 1957, 7:30-8:30 p.m EDT) — Perry Mason, a legal mystery-drama about a fictional Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, premiered tonight on CBS-TV, starring Raymond Burr, Barbara Hale, William Hopper, William Talman and Ray Collins. Continue reading ‘Perry Mason’ series debuts on CBS-TV 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 21 1957) →

‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ by Jerry Lee Lewis peaks at #3 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 9 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, September 9, 1957) — “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ by Jerry Lee Lewis peaks at #3 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 9 1957) →

Jack Kerouac’s ‘On The Road’ published 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 5 1957)

1950s


Video: 'The Writing Of On The Road by Jack Kerouac'

(Thursday, September 5, 1957) — The novel On the Road by American writer Jack Kerouac, considered a defining work of the postwar Beat and Counterculture generations, was first published today by Viking Press. Continue reading Jack Kerouac’s ‘On The Road’ published 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 5 1957) →

Arkansas troops bar African-American pupils 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1957)

1950s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 2) Fighting Back 1957–1962' (Sept. 4, 1957, at 8:29)

(Wednesday, September 4, 1957; during the Little Rock Crisis, part of the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968)) — Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard today to prevent African-American students from enrolling in the all-white Little Rock Central High School, citing “imminent danger of tumult, riot and breach of peace and the doing of violence to persons and property.” Continue reading Arkansas troops bar African-American pupils 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1957) →

‘Tammy’ by Debbie Reynolds peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 19 1957)

1950s, Movies 1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, August 19, 1957) — “Tammy” by The Debbie Reynolds peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Most Played by Jockeys chart for five consecutive weeks (Aug. 19/26, Sept. 2/9/16, 1957). Continue reading ‘Tammy’ by Debbie Reynolds peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 19 1957) →

‘Flying Saucer The 2nd’ by Buchanan & Goodman peaks at #18 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, August 12, 1957) — “Flying Saucer The 2nd” by Buchanan & Goodman peaked at #18 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Flying Saucer The 2nd’ by Buchanan & Goodman peaks at #18 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1957) →

Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957)

1950s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'PBS LBJ Part 1' (Civil Rights Act of 1957 at 43:28)

(Wednesday, August 7, 1957, evening EDT) — The U.S. Senate tonight passed 72-18 the first federal civil rights legislation to become law in 82 years. Continue reading Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957) →