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"Howdy Doody," a children's series, premieres live on NBC as a one-hour Saturday program.
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"The Ed Sullivan Show" (originally "Toast of the Town") makes its debut.
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NBC's "Today" show, first and longest-running early-morning network show, bows with host Dave Garroway and chimpanzee sidekick J. Fred Muggs.
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Color broadcasting officially arrives in the U.S., when FCC approves modified version of an RCA system.
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NBC launches "The Tonight Show," featuring comedian Steve Allen.
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The classic Western series "Gunsmoke" begins its 20-year run on CBS.
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"The $64,000 Question," premieres in June on CBS, igniting a U.S. game show craze.
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The cartoon ad character Mister Magoo becomes the nearsighted spokesman for General Electric bulbs.
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Dr. Martin Luther King delivers his "I have a dream" speech as millions watch on TV.
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Color TV booms as NBC leads the way and begins to use the phrase "The Full Color Network".
