When This Dropped

February 18, 1957

President
Eisenhower
Dow (EOY)
436
Gas/gal
$0.31
Min Wage
$1.00

By the winter of 1957, Eisenhower was in the White House and the federal minimum wage stood at $1.00/hr — the U.S. Navy's Vanguard rocket had just exploded on the launch pad in a failed attempt to put America's first satellite into orbit, leaving the country scrambling to close the gap with the Soviet Union in the early space race. On television, "Gunsmoke" was the top-rated show in the country, while moviegoers were buying tickets to see "The Bridge on the River Kwai" take home the Academy Award for Best Picture. The Detroit Lions had claimed the NFL championship, and on December 20, Boeing's new 707 jet airliner completed its first flight, marking the beginning of the commercial jet age in America.

On the cover

Magazine Covers — February 18, 1957

New York Times
Time
TV Guide
Nat. Geographic

NY Times Headlines — Week of February 18, 1957

Johnson Warns President Against 'Coercing' Israel; Senate Democratic Chief Bars Sanctions -Party Objection To Talk Only With Dulles Is Bringing Eisenhower Back Johnson Opposes Israel Sanctions The Johnson Statement

President Says U.N. Has No Choice But To Force Israel Out Of Egypt; Also Warns Cairo On Violations; Speaks To Nation Repeats Dulles' Offer To Assist Israelis In Keeping Security Guarantees Barred President Says U.N. Must Force Israel'S Troops To Leave Egypt U. S. Would Join Move Soviet Veto Is Cited Allies Are Praised

Nasser Summons Cabinet In Crisis; President Calls Emergency Session After Meeting With War Minister Suez Pressure Seen Nasser Cabinet Meets On Crisis

World Events — February 1957

Time Person of the Year — 1957

Hungarian Freedom Fighter
Person of the Year
Hungarian Freedom Fighter

On the radio

Billboard Charts — February 18, 1957

Too Much
Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
Best Sellers #1
"Too Much"
Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires

On the bookshelf

By Love Possessed
NYT Fiction #1
"By Love Possessed"
Kids Say the Darndest Things
NYT Non-Fiction #1
"Kids Say the Darndest Things"
The Field of Vision
Wright Morris
National Book Award Fiction
"The Field of Vision"
Wright Morris
Russia Leaves the War
George F. Kennan
National Book Award Nonfiction
"Russia Leaves the War"
George F. Kennan

On the television

Nielsen Top 10 — 1956–57 Season

Gunsmoke
Nielsen #1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Nielsen
Top 10
TV Shows
Nielsen Ratings
Top 10 TV Shows
1956–57 Season

Emmy Winners — 1957

Gunsmoke
Emmy Drama Series
Gunsmoke
The Phil Silvers Show
Emmy Comedy Series
The Phil Silvers Show
Peter Ustinov
Omnibus
Emmy Lead Actor
Peter Ustinov
Omnibus
Jane Wyatt
Father Knows Best
Emmy Lead Actress
Jane Wyatt
Father Knows Best

At the movies

Box Office & Oscar Winners — February 18, 1957

The Ten Commandments †
Box Office #1
The Ten Commandments †
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Oscar Best Picture
The Bridge on the River Kwai
David Lean
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Oscar Best Director
David Lean
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Alec Guinness
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Oscar Best Actor
Alec Guinness
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Joanne Woodward
The Three Faces of Eve
Oscar Best Actress
Joanne Woodward
The Three Faces of Eve

On the field

Sports Champions — February 18, 1957

NFL Champion
Detroit Lions
World Series
Milwaukee Braves
def. New York Yankees
NBA Champion
Boston Celtics
def. St. Louis Hawks
Stanley Cup
Montreal Canadiens
def. Boston Bruins

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