(Saturday, May 17, 1952) — “Blue Tango” by Leroy Anderson (and his “Pops” Concert Orchestra) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of five consecutive weeks (May 17/24/31, June 7/14, 1952). Continue reading ‘Blue Tango’ by Leroy Anderson peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1952)
Category Archives: 1950s
Millions of Americans watch first live television broadcast of a nuclear bomb test 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1952)
Video: 'Tumbler Charlie: April 22, 1952'
(Tuesday, April 22, 1952, 9:30:10 a.m. PST; during the Cold War) — Millions of Americans watched on live television today as a 31-kiloton Mark 4 nuclear bomb was dropped from a B-50 Superfortress in the Yucca Flat region of the Nevada. Continue reading Millions of Americans watch first live television broadcast of a nuclear bomb test 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1952)
Share this:
President Truman nationalizes U.S. steel industry to avert strike 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 8 1952)
Video: 'Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. v. Sawyer Case Brief Summary | Law Case Explained'
(Tuesday, April 8, 1952, 10:30 p.m. EST; during the 1952 steel strike) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman tonight nationalized the American steel industry hours to avert a strike of their 600,000 workers. Continue reading President Truman nationalizes U.S. steel industry to avert strike 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 8 1952)
Share this:
U.S. President Harry S. Truman announces whether he’ll seek a third term 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1952)
Video: 'PBS - American Experience - Truman (1997) 5of5' (Mar. 29, 1952, at 44:57)
(Saturday, March 29, 1952, 10:30 p.m. EST; during the 1952 Democratic Party presidential primaries) — President Harry S. Truman, president of the United States since the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt on Apr. 12, 1945, dramatically announced tonight that he would not be a candidate for re-election and would not accept the nomination if he were drafted by the Democratic convention. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman announces whether he’ll seek a third term 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1952)
Share this:
‘Singin’ in the Rain’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 27 1952)
Video: 'Singin' in the Rain' trailer
(Thursday, March 27, 1952, 10:35 a.m. EST) — A silent-screen swashbuckler finds love while trying to adjust to the coming of sound in Singin’ in the Rain, an American musical romantic comedy that premiered this morning at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 27 1952)
Share this:
Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed organizes first rock ‘n’ roll concert 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1952)
Video: 'Alan Freed apologized for The Moondog Coronation Ball riot 65 years ago.'
(Friday, March 21, 1952, 10:00 p.m. EST) — Alan Freed, a disc jockey who popularized the term “Rock and Roll” at WJW-Radio in Cleveland, Ohio, organized what is generally accepted as the first major rock and roll concert — the Moondog Coronation Ball — tonight at the Cleveland Arena. Continue reading Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed organizes first rock ‘n’ roll concert 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1952)
Share this:
‘Wheel of Fortune’ by Kay Starr peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1952)
(Saturday, March 15, 1952) — “Wheel of Fortune” by Kay Starr was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of nine consecutive weeks (Mar. 15/22/29, Apr. 5/12/19/26, May 3/10 1952). Continue reading ‘Wheel of Fortune’ by Kay Starr peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1952)
Share this:
Britain’s King George VI dies; daughter Elizabeth, 25, becomes reigning sovereign of British Commonwealth and empire 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1952)
Video: 'ROYAL: The death of King George VI (1952)'
(Wednesday, February 6, 1952, George VI was discovered by his valet at 7:30 a.m. GMT; during the death and state funeral of George VI) — Britain’s King George VI, 56, died in his sleep today at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England, , 60 miles north of London, ending a 15-year reign that brought England the glory and the dregs of victory in World War II. Continue reading Britain’s King George VI dies; daughter Elizabeth, 25, becomes reigning sovereign of British Commonwealth and empire 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1952)
Share this:
‘Today’ news and talk morning television show debuts on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 14 1952)
Video: 'TODAY's First Broadcast: Jan. 14, 1952 | Archives | TODAY'
(Monday, January 14, 1952, 7:00 a.m. EST) — Today, the first news and talk morning television show in the world, debuted this morning on NBC with Dave Garroway as the host. Continue reading ‘Today’ news and talk morning television show debuts on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 14 1952)
Share this:
‘Cry’ by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1951)
(Saturday, December 29, 1951) — “Cry” by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads (recorded Oct. 16, 1951 in New York City) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of 11 consecutive weeks (Dec. 29, 1951, Jan. 5/12/19/26, Feb. 2/9/16/23, March 1/8, 1952). Continue reading ‘Cry’ by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1951)
