When This Dropped

April 23, 1953

President
Eisenhower
Dow (EOY)
281
Gas/gal
$0.29
Min Wage
$0.75

Gas cost $0.29 a gallon in the spring of 1953, and the Dow Jones stood at 281 — all while the Korean War ground through its third year with no peace agreement yet in sight. On television, "I Love Lucy" was the undisputed top-rated show in the country, and Patti Page's "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window" sat at the top of the music charts. The Minneapolis Lakers claimed the NBA championship over the New York Knicks that spring, and on May 29, Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first people in recorded history to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

On the cover

Magazine Covers — April 23, 1953

New York Times
Time
TV Guide
Nat. Geographic

NY Times Headlines — Week of April 23, 1953

Soviet Urges Talk But Bids U. S. Drop Its 'Preconditions'; Reply To Eisenhower Declares Russia Is Ready To Discuss Wide Peace Settlement Chides Him For Demands Full-Page Editorial Contends President Qualifies Offer With One-Sided Stand Soviet Urges Talk On Peace Terms, But Bids U.S. Drop 'Preconditions'

World Events — April 1953

Time Person of the Year — 1953

Queen Elizabeth II
Person of the Year
Queen Elizabeth II

On the radio

Billboard Charts — April 23, 1953

The Doggie in the Window
Patti Page with Orchestra Conducted by Jack Rael
Best Sellers #1
"The Doggie in the Window"
Patti Page with Orchestra Conducted by Jack Rael

On the bookshelf

The Robe
NYT Fiction #1
"The Robe"
The Power of Positive Thinking
NYT Non-Fiction #1
"The Power of Positive Thinking"
The Old Man and the Sea
Ernest Hemingway
Pulitzer Prize Fiction
"The Old Man and the Sea"
Ernest Hemingway
Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison
National Book Award Fiction
"Invisible Man"
Ralph Ellison
The Course of Empire
Bernard DeVoto
National Book Award Nonfiction
"The Course of Empire"
Bernard DeVoto

On the television

Nielsen Top 10 — 1952–53 Season

I Love Lucy
Nielsen #1 TV Show
I Love Lucy
Nielsen
Top 10
TV Shows
Nielsen Ratings
Top 10 TV Shows
1952–53 Season

Emmy Winners — 1953

The U.S. Steel Hour
Emmy Drama Series
The U.S. Steel Hour
I Love Lucy
Emmy Comedy Series
I Love Lucy
Donald O'Connor
The Colgate Comedy Hour
Emmy Lead Actor
Donald O'Connor
The Colgate Comedy Hour
Eve Arden
Our Miss Brooks
Emmy Lead Actress
Eve Arden
Our Miss Brooks

At the movies

Box Office & Oscar Winners — April 23, 1953

Salome
Box Office #1
Salome
From Here to Eternity
Oscar Best Picture
From Here to Eternity
Fred Zinnemann
From Here to Eternity
Oscar Best Director
Fred Zinnemann
From Here to Eternity
William Holden
Stalag 17
Oscar Best Actor
William Holden
Stalag 17
Audrey Hepburn
Roman Holiday
Oscar Best Actress
Audrey Hepburn
Roman Holiday

On the field

Sports Champions — April 23, 1953

NFL Champion
Detroit Lions
World Series
New York Yankees
def. Brooklyn Dodgers
NBA Champion
Minneapolis Lakers
def. New York Knicks
Stanley Cup
Montreal Canadiens
def. Boston Bruins

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