Category Archives: 1950s

Big Joe Turner records ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’ 60 years ago today (Feb 15 1954)


Video: 'Big Joe Turner - Shake Rattle N'Roll (Rare Stereo Mix 1954)'

(Monday, February 15, 1954)“Shake, Rattle and Roll,” a twelve bar blues-form rock and roll song, was recorded today by Big Joe Turner in New York. The Turner version was ranked #127 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

‘I Love Lucy,’ ‘The United States Steel Hour’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago today (Feb 11 1954)


Video: 'Redecorating the Mertzes' Apartment' (Nov. 23, 1953)

(Thursday, February 11, 1954)I Love Lucy dominated the 6th Emmy Awards today, winning two awards, including Best Situation Comedy (for the second consecutive year). Continue reading ‘I Love Lucy,’ ‘The United States Steel Hour’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago today (Feb 11 1954)

Mamie Eisenhower christens first atomic submarine 60 years ago today (Jan 21 1954)


Video: 'USS Nautilus & Submarine History: "Take 'Er Down" 1954 US Navy 14min' (Jan. 21, 1954, at 11:33)

(Thursday, January 21, 1954; during the Cold War) — The world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, was launched today at Groton, Connecticut, as First Lady Mamie Eisenhower christened the vessel with the traditional bottle of champagne broken against the bow.

Muddy Waters records ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ 60 years ago today (Jan 7 1954)


Video: 'Muddy Waters - Hoochie Coochie Man ( Chess 1954)'

(Thursday, January 7, 1954) — Muddy Waters recorded “Hoochie Coochie Man”, a blues standard written by Willie Dixon, today in Chicago. The song was ranked #225 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Ike calls for voting rights for 18-year-olds in State of Union address 60 years ago today (Jan 7 1954)


Video: 'Excerpt from President Eisenhower's 1954 State of the Union Address'

(Thursday, January 7, 1954) — U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower called for voting rights for 18-year-olds and held out hope of future tax cuts in his State of the Union address before Congress today.

Nixon says he’s impressed by French morale on Indochina front 60 years ago today (1953)

(Wednesday, November 4, 1953; during the First Indochina War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon made a front-line tour south of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam today, saying he was impressed by the high morale of all the French Union troops and “the fact this is a rugged, rough war.”

Georgia Tech Glee Club performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (1953)


Video: 'Georgia Tech Glee Club on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, October 11, 1953, 8 p.m. EDT) — The Georgia Tech Glee Club performed the “Georgia Tech Fight Song” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show.

New York Yankees win World Series 60 years ago today (1953)


Image: 'Yankees Vs Dodgers 1953 World Series'

(Monday, October 5, 1953) — The New York Yankees won the 1953 World Series today, beating the Brooklyn Dodgers 2-0 at Yankee Stadium (I) in Bronx, New York, in the sixth and deciding game. It was the fifth consecutive World Series title for the Yankees (the most consecutive WS wins in history) and the 16th of a record 27 overall World Series championships for the team (1923-2009).

‘The Robe,’ first film presented in CinemaScope, premieres in New York City 60 years ago tonight (1953)


Video: 'Victor Mature At The Premiere Of The Robe'

(Wednesday, September 16, 1953)The Robe, a Biblical epic film that tells the story of a Roman military tribune who commands the unit that crucifies Jesus and the first movie presented in the widescreen process CinemaScope, had its world premiere today at the Roxy Theater in New York.

Directed by Henry Koster, the film starred Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature and Michael Rennie.

Kennedys filmed on eve of JFK’s wedding to Jacqueline Lee Bouvier 60 years ago today (1953)


Video: '"JFK: IN HIS OWN WORDS" (1988)' (Sept. 11, 1953, at 9:36)

(Friday, September 11, 1953) — The Kennedy family was filmed having fun today on the eve of U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy’s wedding to Jacqueline Lee Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island.