Category Archives: 1950s

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) →

‘American Bandstand,’ hosted by Dick Clark, makes its network debut on ABC 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'American Bandstand- December 18, 1957'

(Monday, August 5, 1957, 3:00-4:30 p.m EDT) — The teenage dance television show American Bandstand, hosted by Dick Clark, made its network debut today on ABC. Continue reading ‘American Bandstand,’ hosted by Dick Clark, makes its network debut on ABC 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1957) →

‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter’ by Billy Williams peaks at #3 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, August 5, 1957) — “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” by Billy Williams peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Most Played by Jockeys chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter’ by Billy Williams peaks at #3 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1957) →

The Everly Brothers perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Everly Brothers International Archive : Ed Sullivan Show August 4th 1957'

(Sunday, August 4, 1957, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — The Everly Brothers performed “Bye, Bye Love” and “Hey Doll Baby” on tonight’s edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show live from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City, with Dan Dailey as guest host. Continue reading The Everly Brothers perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1957) →

Jack Paar debuts as host of NBC’s ‘Tonight’ show 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 29 1957)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'The Television Talk Show: Jack Paar (The Tonight Show 1957-1962)'

(Monday, July 29, 1957, 11:15 p.m. EDT) — The new version of Tonight, starring Jack Paar, debuted tonight on NBC television with guests Helen O’Connell, Johnny Johnston, Stanley Holloway and Franklin Pangborn from Studio 6B at the RCA Building in New York. Continue reading Jack Paar debuts as host of NBC’s ‘Tonight’ show 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 29 1957) →