Category Archives: 1950s

Elvis Presley makes his first recording 60 years ago today (1953)

1950s, Elvis Presley, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'Elvis Presley - My Happiness (Elvis' first recording)'

(Saturday, July 18, 1953) — Elvis Presley, 18, recorded “My Happiness” today as a gift for his mother at The Memphis Recording Service, home of the Sun label; it was his first recording.

‘The Band Wagon’ opens in New York City 60 years ago today (1953)

1950s, Movies 1950s, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'The Band Wagon' trailer

(Thursday, July 9, 1953) — The Band Wagon, a musical comedy film about an aging musical star who hopes a Broadway play will restart his career, opened today at the Music Hall in New York City.

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the film starred Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Oscar Levant, Nanette Fabray and Jack Buchanan.

Rhee makes bold bid to block Korean truce 60 years ago this hour (1953)

1950s, Cold War, Korean War


Video: 'Korean War - PART 28, End of the War, 6.25' (June 18, 1953, at 6:25)

(Thursday, June 18, 1953, by 5 a.m. local time; during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — With an armistice agreement was all but complete, South Korea President Syngman Rhee unilaterally ordered the release of 25,000 anti-communist North Korean prisoners of war today in protest of the proposed settlement.

1953 Worcester tornado kills 94 people 60 years ago this hour (1953)

1950s


Video: 'Rare Footage of Worcester Tornado (1953)'

(Tuesday, June 9, 1953, 4:25 p.m. EST) — 94 people died today when an F4 tornado struck Worcester, Massachusetts, part of the Flint–Worcester tornado outbreak sequence, which occurred over a three-day period from June 6-9, 1953. Continue reading 1953 Worcester tornado kills 94 people 60 years ago this hour (1953) →

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.