Category Archives: 1950s

Queen Elizabeth II crowned in London’s Westminster Abbey by Archbishop of Canterbury 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 2 1953)

1950s


Video: 'BBC TV Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II: Westminster Abbey 1953 (William McKie)'

(Tuesday, June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Westminster Abbey at about 11:00 a.m. British Summer Time; during the Coronation of Elizabeth II) — The coronation of Elizabeth II as queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms took place today at Westminster Abbey in London. Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II crowned in London’s Westminster Abbey by Archbishop of Canterbury 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 2 1953) →

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay become first humans to reach the top of Mount Everest 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1953)

1950s


Video: '29th May 1953: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquer Mount Everest'

(Friday, May 29, 1953, 11:30 a.m. Indian Standard Time; during the 1953 British Mount Everest expedition) — Mount Everest was conquered today as Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tensing Norgay of Nepal became the first humans to reach the summit of Earth’s highest mountain above sea level at 29,031 feet. Continue reading Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay become first humans to reach the top of Mount Everest 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1953) →

‘The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)’ by Percy Faith peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 16 1953)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, May 16, 1953) — “The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)” by Percy Faith (with vocals by Felicia Sanders; recorded on Jan. 22, 1953) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of ten consecutive weeks (May 16/23/30, June 6/13/20/27, July 4/11/18, 1953). Continue reading ‘The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)’ by Percy Faith peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 16 1953) →

Lucille Ball’s newborn son Desi Arnaz Jr. featured on first cover of TV Guide 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1953)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Remembering TV Guide - Growing Up in America'

(Friday, April 3, 1953) — TV Guide, a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows, was published for the first time today, with 10 editions in the ten U.S. cities where it was distributed. Continue reading Lucille Ball’s newborn son Desi Arnaz Jr. featured on first cover of TV Guide 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1953) →

Dr. Jonas Salk announces he’s successfully tested a vaccine against poliomyelitis, the virus that causes polio 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 26 1953)

1950s


Video: 'The fight against Polio - 1953 | Movietone Moment | 26 March 2021'

(Thursday, March 26, 1953) — A vaccine against polio that has been used safely and successfully in preliminary trials on ninety children and adults, producing protective immunity bodies against all the three viruses causing the disease, was announced tonight at a special meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City under the auspices of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Continue reading Dr. Jonas Salk announces he’s successfully tested a vaccine against poliomyelitis, the virus that causes polio 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 26 1953) →

‘(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?’ by Patti Page peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1953)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, March 21, 1953) — “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” by Patti Page with Orchestra Conducted by Jack Rael peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of eight weeks (March 21/28, April 4/11/18/25, May 2/9, 1953). Continue reading ‘(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?’ by Patti Page peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1953) →

Soviet dictator Josef Stalin found unconscious after suffering fatal stroke that would end his three-decade rule 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1953)

1950s, Cold War


Video: 'Stalin Dead (1953)'

(Sunday, March 1, 1953, 11:00 p.m. Moscow Standard Time; during the Cold War) — Joseph Stalin, a Georgian-born Soviet revolutionary and political leader who led the Soviet Union since 1924, was found semi-conscious tonight on the bedroom floor of his personal residence near the former town of Kuntsevo (now part of Moscow’s Fili district), having suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage. Continue reading Soviet dictator Josef Stalin found unconscious after suffering fatal stroke that would end his three-decade rule 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1953) →

‘Till I Waltz Again with You’ by Teresa Brewer peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 14 1953)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, February 14, 1953) — “Till I Waltz Again with You” by Teresa Brewer peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of five weeks (Feb. 14/21/28, Mar. 7/14, 1953). Continue reading ‘Till I Waltz Again with You’ by Teresa Brewer peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 14 1953) →

Dwight D. Eisenhower sworn in as 34th president of the United States, Richard Nixon as 36th VP 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 20 1953)

1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953 [SOUND!]'

(Tuesday, January 20, 1953, 12:32 p.m. EST) — Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower of New York took the oath of office today as the 34th president of the United States at the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Dwight D. Eisenhower sworn in as 34th president of the United States, Richard Nixon as 36th VP 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 20 1953) →

‘Lucy Goes to the Hospital’ episode airs on ‘I Love Lucy’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 19 1953)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: '"I LOVE LUCY" - Episode Spotlight: "Lucy Goes to the Hospital"'

(Monday, January 19, 1953, 9:00 p.m. EST) — CBS-TV tonight aired the widely watched “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” episode of the sitcom I Love Lucy tonight in which Lucy Ricardo, played by Lucille Ball, gave birth to Little Ricky. Continue reading ‘Lucy Goes to the Hospital’ episode airs on ‘I Love Lucy’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 19 1953) →