Category Archives: 1950s

‘Make Room for Daddy,’ ‘The United States Steel Hour’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Make Room for Daddy: The Children's Governess' (Feb. 1, 1955)

(Monday, March 7, 1955, 8:30 p.m. PST) — Make Room for Daddy dominated the 7th Emmy Awards tonight, winning two awards, including Best Situation Comedy. Continue reading ‘Make Room for Daddy,’ ‘The United States Steel Hour’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955) →

‘Peter Pan’ Broadway production airs live on NBC-TV in color 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955)

1950s, Broadway, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Video: '"Producers' Showcase" Peter Pan (7 March 1955)' (4 videos)

(Monday, March 7, 1955, 7:30-9:00 p.m. EST) — NBC-TV presented the full-length Broadway production of Peter Pan live tonight in color (only a black-and-white kinescope recording survived) as part of Producers’ Showcase, with nearly all of the show’s original cast.

The show attracted a then-record audience of 65-million viewers, the highest ever up to that time for a single television program.

First successful human kidney transplant took place 60 years ago this hour (Dec 23 1954)

1950s


Video: 'Remembering Marvin Miller,Joseph Murray, Earl Carroll'

(Thursday, December 23, 1954, 11:15 a.m. EST) — The first successful human kidney transplant took place today at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston as a surgical team led by Dr. Joseph Murray removed a kidney from 23-year-old Ronald Herrick and implanted it in Herrick’s twin brother, Richard, who was dying of chronic nephritis.

Because the donor and recipient were identical twins, tissue rejection was not an issue. Richard Herrick lived until 1962; Ronald Herrick died in 2010.

Senator Kennedy flown to Palm Beach following spinal surgery 60 years ago today (Dec 21 1954)

1950s, U.S. Presidents

Video: 'December 21, 1954 - Senator John F. Kennedy recovering from spinal operations'

(Tuesday, December 21, 1954) — Senator John F. Kennedy was taken by stretcher to a special plane today so he could be flown from the New York Hospital for Special Surgery to the Kennedy home in Palm Beach, Florida, more than two months after undergoing a spinal operation.

Meteorite hits home, Alabama woman hurt 60 years ago this hour (Nov 30 1954)

1950s


Video 'Woman Struck by Meteorite | Smarter Every Day 84'

(Tuesday, November 30, 1954, 1:00 p.m. local time) — The Hodges Meteorite crashed through a roof today and struck a woman taking an afternoon nap In Sylacauga, Alabama, in the only documented case of a human being hit by a rock from space.

Humane Society of the United States incorporated 60 years ago today (Nov 22 1954)

1950s

2011 Victories for Animals - The Humane Society of the United States'

(Monday, November 22, 1954) — The Humane Society of the United States, a nonprofit organization designed to address animal cruelties, was incorporated today as the National Humane Society.

Hoover arrives in Bonn for six day-visit in West Germany 60 years ago today (Nov 22 1954)

1950s, U.S. Presidents

(Monday, November 22, 1954) — Former President Herbert Hoover, arriving from the United States for a six-day visit as guest of Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, received a warm welcome today at the airport in Bonn, West Germany (click here to watch a video of Hoover’s arrival at 22:06).

ABC bans Rosemary Clooney’s ‘Mambo Italiano’ 60 years ago today (Nov 18 1954)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

Video: 'Rosemary Clooney - Mambo Italiano - 1954 originals'

(Thursday, November 18, 1954) — ABC radio and TV today banned “Mambo Italiano,” a hit by Rosemary Clooney, for so-called “offensive lyrics,” most likely due to the exaggerated Italian vernacular, including the words “goombah” and “gidrool.”