Category Archives: 1950s

Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower elected 34th president of the United States, defeating Democrat Adlai Stevenson 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1952)


Video: 'CBS News Election Coverage: November 4, 1952' (coverage begins at 8:00 p.m. EST)

(Tuesday, November 4, 1952, during the 1952 United States presidential election) — Republican General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower of New York was elected the 34th president of the United States today, defeating Democratic Governor Adlai Stevenson of Illinois. Continue reading Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower elected 34th president of the United States, defeating Democrat Adlai Stevenson 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1952)

John F. Kennedy, 35, elected to U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, defeating Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1952)


Video: '1952 JFK Elected to Senate'

(Tuesday, November 4, 1952; during the 1952 United States Senate election in Massachusetts) — U.S. Representative John F. Kennedy, a 35-year-old Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., today in the U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts by a margin of 51.3 to 48.3 percent. Continue reading John F. Kennedy, 35, elected to U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, defeating Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1952)

United States explodes first hydrogen bomb at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 1 1952)


Video: 'Operation IVY MIKE 1952'

(Saturday, November 1, 1952, 7:15 a.m. local time/Friday, October 31, 1952, at 7:15 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time; during the Cold War) — The United States exploded the world’s first hydrogen bomb, code-named “Ivy Mike,” the first full-scale test of a thermonuclear device, today on the island of Elugelab in Enewetak Atoll in the now independent island nation of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific. Continue reading United States explodes first hydrogen bomb at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 1 1952)

‘I Went to Your Wedding’ by Patti Page peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 18 1952)

(Saturday, October 18, 1952) — “I Went to Your Wedding” by Patti Page (with Orchestra conducted by Jack Rael) was the #1 song on today’s “Billboard” Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of five weeks (Oct. 18/25, Nov. 1/8/15, 1952). Continue reading ‘I Went to Your Wedding’ by Patti Page peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 18 1952)

Richard Nixon salvages GOP vice presidential candidacy by delivering ‘Checkers speech’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 23 1952)


Video: 'Checkers Speech (full version)'

(Tuesday, September 23, 1952, 9:30 p.m. EDT, during the 1952 United States presidential election campaign) — U.S. Senator Richard Nixon, 39, salvaged his vice presidential nomination on the Republican ticket tonight by appearing on television from Los Angeles to refute allegations of improper campaign fundraising in what became known as the “Checkers speech.Continue reading Richard Nixon salvages GOP vice presidential candidacy by delivering ‘Checkers speech’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 23 1952)

Lucy and Ethel go to work in a candy factory on ‘Job Switching’ episode of ‘I Love Lucy’ TV sitcom 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1952)


Video: 'I Love Lucy: A Colorized Celebration - "Job Switching" clip'

(Monday, September 15, 1952, 9:00 p.m. EDT) — After Ricky and Fred get upset about the girls’ spending, Lucy and Ethel go to work in a candy factory while the boys do the housework on tonight‘s season two premiere episode of the CBS-TV sitcom I Love Lucy. Continue reading Lucy and Ethel go to work in a candy factory on ‘Job Switching’ episode of ‘I Love Lucy’ TV sitcom 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1952)

‘You Belong to Me’ by Jo Stafford peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 13 1952)

(Saturday, September 13, 1952) — “You Belong to Me” by Jo Stafford with Paul Weston and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of five consecutive weeks (Sept. 13/20/27, Oct. 4/11, 1952). Continue reading ‘You Belong to Me’ by Jo Stafford peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 13 1952)

Argentina’s legendary first lady Eva Peron, 33, dies of cancer 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 26 1952)


Video: 'Argentina Mourns Eva Peron (1952)'

(Saturday, July 26, 1952, 8:25 p.m. local time) — Argentina’s iconic first lady Eva Perón, 33, died tonight in Buenos Aires after a long battle with cervical cancer. Continue reading Argentina’s legendary first lady Eva Peron, 33, dies of cancer 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 26 1952)

Adlai Stevenson accepts Democratic presidential nomination in Chicago 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 26 1952)


Video: '1952 Adlai Stevenson Democratic Convention Acceptance Speech'

(Saturday, July 26, 1952, 2:13 a.m. CDT; during the 1952 Democratic National Convention) — Governor Adlai Stevenson II of Illinois accepted the Democratic presidential nomination early this morning at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago with a pledge to “talk sense to the American people.” Continue reading Adlai Stevenson accepts Democratic presidential nomination in Chicago 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 26 1952)

Puerto Rico becomes self-governing commonwealth of United States 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 25 1952)


Video: '25 de julio de 1952'

(Friday, July 25, 1952)Puerto Rico graduated today from the status of a colonial possession to that of a self-governing “free commonwealth” closely associated with the United States. Continue reading Puerto Rico becomes self-governing commonwealth of United States 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 25 1952)