-
-
Johnnie Ray signs his first recording contract with Okeh Records,
although he would not become popular for another two years. -
Marilyn Monroe soars in popularity with five new movies,
including The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve, and attempts suicide after
the death of friend Johnny Hyde who asked to marry her several times,
but she refused respectfully. Monroe would later (1954) be married
for a brief time to Joe DiMaggio (mentioned in the previous verse). -
Dwight D. Eisenhower is first elected as U.S. president, winning by a
landslide margin of 442 to 89 electoral votes. -
"Rock Around the Clock" is a hit single released by Bill Haley & His Comets
in May, spurring worldwide interest in rock and roll music. -
Peter Pan is broadcast on TV live and in color from the 1954 version
of the stage musical starring Mary Martin on March 7. Disney released an
animated version the previous year. -
Disneyland opens on July 17 as Walt Disney's first theme park.
-
JFK blown away: President John F. Kennedy is assassinated on November.
22 while riding in an open convertible through Dallas. -
Punk rock: The Ramones form, with the Sex Pistols following in 1975,
bringing in the punk era. -
Wheel of Fortune: A hit television game show which has been TV's highest-rated
syndicated program since 1983. -
Bernie Goetz: On December 22, Mr. Goetz shot four young men who he said were
threatening him on a New York City subway. Goetz was charged with attempted murder but
was acquitted of the charges, though convicted of carrying an unlicensed gun.
