Category Archives: 1950s

‘Love Letters in the Sand’ by Pat Boone peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, June 3, 1957) — “Love Letters in the Sand” by Pat Boone peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Top 100 chart for five consecutive weeks (June 3/10/17/24, July 1, 1957). Continue reading ‘Love Letters in the Sand’ by Pat Boone peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1957) →

‘A White Sport Coat (and a Pink Carnation)’ by Marty Robbins peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, June 3, 1957) — “A White Sport Coat (and a Pink Carnation)” by Marty Robbins peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘A White Sport Coat (and a Pink Carnation)’ by Marty Robbins peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1957) →

‘That’ll Be the Day’ single by The Crickets released 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 27 1957)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s


Video: '1957 HITS ARCHIVE: That’ll Be The Day - Buddy Holly & The Crickets (his #1 version)'

(Monday, May 27, 1957) — “That’ll Be the Day” by Buddy Holly and his new band, the Crickets, ranked number 39 on Rolling Stone‘s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” was released today by Brunswick Records. Continue reading ‘That’ll Be the Day’ single by The Crickets released 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 27 1957) →

Jayne Mansfield performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 26 1957)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Jayne Mansfield on The Ed Sullivan Show 1957'

(Sunday, May 26, 1957, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Jayne Mansfield played the violin on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Jayne Mansfield performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 26 1957) →

Martin Luther King Jr. delivers first national speech 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1957)

1950s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Martin Luther King Jr. 'Give Us the Ballot' May 17, 1957'

(Friday, May 17, 1957, afternoon EDT) — The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., 28, delivered his first national speech, titled “Give Us the Ballot,” advocating voting rights for African-Americans, during the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom gathering at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Martin Luther King Jr. delivers first national speech 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1957) →

‘Nights of Cabiria’ premieres at Cannes Film Festival 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1957)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Nights of Cabiria' trailer

(Saturday, May 11, 1957) — Nights of Cabiria, an Italian drama film about a good-hearted prostitute who dreams of finding a great lot in life, but constantly has her hopes dashed by evil, conniving men, premiered today at the Cannes Film Festival.

Directed by Federico Fellini, the film starred Giulietta Masina, François Périer, Franca Marzi, Dorian Gray and Amedeo Nazzari.

President Eisenhower welcomes South Vietnamese President Diem for state visit this hour 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1957)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 2' (May 8, 1957, at 16:55)

(Wednesday, May 8, 1957, noon EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower personally received South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem today at the National Airport in Washington, D.C., as the South Vietnamese president arrived aboard Eisenhower’s plane, the Columbine III, a silver Constellation, on a state visit to the U.S. Continue reading President Eisenhower welcomes South Vietnamese President Diem for state visit this hour 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1957) →