December 12, 1953
By the winter of 1953, Eisenhower was in the White House and the federal minimum wage stood at $0.75/hr — the Korean War was still grinding through its third year, with Secretary of State John Foster Dulles publicly warning of Soviet encirclement and pushing for a negotiated peace. On television, "I Love Lucy" was the undisputed top show in the country, while Perry Como's "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" held the number one spot on the music charts. The Detroit Lions won the NFL championship that season, and on December 6, conductor Arturo Toscanini performed what he called his favorite Beethoven symphony, "Eroica," for the final time with the NBC Symphony Orchestra, broadcasting the live performance to listeners across the nation.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — December 12, 1953
NY Times Headlines — Week of December 12, 1953
Vietnam Chiefs Debate Truce Plan; Military Situation Said To Be Grave
Dulles Cautions Europe To Ratify Army Treaty Soon; Says U. S. May Be Forced Into 'Agonizing' Restudy Of Policy If 6-Nation Project Fails Implies Shift Of Forces Remarks By Secretary Follow Bidault Warning To Nato Of Urgency Of Unity Dulles Cautions Europe On Treaty
World Events — December 1953
Time Person of the Year — 1953
On the radio
Billboard Charts — December 12, 1953
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1953–54 Season
Emmy Winners — 1953
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — December 12, 1953
On the field
Sports Champions — December 12, 1953
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