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.
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.
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.
(Saturday, April 11, 1953) — Oveta Culp Hobby today became the first secretary (and second female to serve in the Cabinet) of the new Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which later became the Department of Health and Human Services.
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)
Video: 'House Of Wax' trailer
(Friday, April 10, 1953) — House Of Wax, a horror film about a vengeful sculptor who rebuilds his fire-destroyed showplace by using human victims as wax figures, premiered today at the Paramount in New York City. It was the first 3-D color feature from a major American studio.
Directed by André de Toth, the film starred Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Charles Bronson, Carolyn Jones and Phyllis Kirk.
Video: 'Fear and Desire' trailer
(Tuesday, March 31, 1953) — Fear and Desire, a military action/adventure film about four soldiers trapped behind enemy lines who must confront their fears and desires, arrived today at the Guild Theatre in New York City.
Directed by Stanley Kubrick (his first feature film), the movie starred Frank Silvera, Kenneth Harp, Paul Mazursky, Steve Coit and Virginia Leith.
Video: 'Korean War - PART 28, End of the War, 6.25' (at 0:42-0:53)
(Saturday, March 28, 1953; during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — The Chinese and North Korean Communist commanders accepted today a long-standing United Nations proposal for an immediate exchange of sick and wounded prisoners of war by both sides in Korea, and at the same time proposed immediate resumption of suspended armistice talks.
Video: '1952 Oscar Winners'
(Thursday, March 19, 1953, 10:30 p.m. EST) — The Greatest Show On Earth won two Oscars tonight at the 25th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. John Ford won Best Director for The Quiet Man, Gary Cooper won Best Actor for High Noon and Shirley Booth won Best Actress for Come Back, Little Sheba. Continue reading ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’ wins Best Picture at 25th Academy Awards 50 years ago this hour (1953)
Video: 'Romper Room with Miss Nancy'
(Tuesday, February 10, 1953) — Romper Room, a long running children’s television series targeted at preschoolers, children five years of age or younger, debuted today in Baltimore.
