Category Archives: 1950s

1953 Flint–Beecher tornado kills 116 people 60 years ago this hour (1953)

1950s


Video: 'Weather History: 1953 Flint-Worcester Tornado Outbreak (HD)'

(Monday, June 8, 1953; 01:30 UTC) — The 1953 Flint-Beecher tornado, one of the top ten single deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history and rated as an F5 on the Fujita Scale, touched down in Genesee County, Michigan, tonight and continued on a 27 mile path, causing 116 fatalities. Most of the casualties and damage occurred in the unincorporated community of Beecher, a suburb on the northern edge of the city of Flint, Michigan. Continue reading 1953 Flint–Beecher tornado kills 116 people 60 years ago this hour (1953) →

‘Stalag 17’ premieres in London 60 years ago today (1953)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Stalag 17' trailer

(Friday, May 29, 1953) — Stalag 17, a war film about a group of American airmen held in a German World War II prisoner of war camp who come to suspect that one of their number is an informant, premiered today in London. Continue reading ‘Stalag 17’ premieres in London 60 years ago today (1953) →

Czechs relesae AP correspondent William N. Oatis 60 years ago today (1953)

1950s, Cold War


(Saturday, May 16, 1953; during the Cold War) — Associated Press correspondent William N. Oatis was released today by communist authorities in Czechoslovakia, where he’d been imprisoned for two years after being forced to confess to espionage while working as the AP’s Prague bureau chief.

U.S. bombs Toksan Dam in North Korea 60 years ago today (1953)

1950s, Cold War, Korean War


Video: 'Korean War - PART 28, End of the War, 6.25' (May 13, 1953, at 5:09)

(Wednesday, May 13, 1953; during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — Thunderjets from the U.S. Air Force’s 58 Fighter-Bomber Wing struck the Toksan Dam, near Pyongyang today causing a massive flood. Floodwaters from the breached dam destroyed ten bridges, ruined several square miles of rice crops, flooded over 1,000 buildings and rendered the Sunan Airfield inoperable.

Tornado claims 114 lives in Waco, Texas 60 years ago this hour (1953)

1950s


Video: 'Weather History: 1953 Waco Tornado'

(Monday, May 11, 1953, 4:36 p.m. CDT) — A tornado devastated Waco, Texas, today, claiming 114 lives. Over half the dead, 61, were in a single city block bounded by 4th and 5th streets and Austin and Franklin avenues. 597 additional people were injured and the tornado caused up to $41.2 million in property damage.

‘Shane’ premieres in New York City 60 years ago today (1953)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Shane' trailer

(Thursday, April 23, 1953) — Shane, a Western film about a mysterious drifter who helps farmers fight off a vicious gunman, premiered today at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Directed by George Stevens, the film starred Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon deWilde and Jack Palance.

Prisoner exchange started in Korea, 30 Americans freed 60 years ago today (1953)

1950s, Cold War, Korean War


Video: 'Korean War - PART 28, End of the War, 6.25' (exchange begins at 0:53)

(Monday, April 20, 1953; during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — 100 United Nations soldiers, including 30 Americans, were freed from communist captivity today as the opponents in the Korean War began the exchange of sick and wounded prisoners under a recently negotiated agreement.

Hammarskjold takes over top UN post 60 years ago this hour (1953)

1950s


Video: 'Dag Hammarskjöld sworn in as UN Secretary-General (1953)'

(Friday, April 10, 1953, 3:13 p.m. EST) — Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden today became the second Secretary General in the seven-and-a-half-year history of the United Nations. A few minutes later he gave his concept of the work of the United Nations: “Reconciliation and realistic construction.” Continue reading Hammarskjold takes over top UN post 60 years ago this hour (1953) →