When This Dropped

August 2, 1957

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

The federal minimum wage stood at $1.00/hr that summer of 1957, and the Dow Jones sat at 436 — the International Geophysical Year had just launched, bringing together scientists from 64 nations to study the Earth and sun in an unprecedented global research effort that included plans from both the United States and the Soviet Union to put satellites into orbit. On American television, "Gunsmoke" was the top-rated drama and Emmy winner that summer, while Elvis Presley held the number one spot on the charts with "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear." On July 16th, Marine Major John Glenn set a new transcontinental speed record, piloting an F8U supersonic jet from California to New York in 3 hours, 23 minutes, and 8 seconds — the fastest coast-to-coast flight in American history to that point.

On the cover

Magazine Covers — August 2, 1957

New York Times
Time
TV Guide
Nat. Geographic

NY Times Headlines — Week of August 2, 1957

Civil Rights Bill Believed To Face 2-House Impasse; Reconciliation Of Differences May Be Impossible--Martin Sees Bill Dead For 1957 House Bloc Adamant Veto Threat Discounted Congress Facing Rights Deadlock 'Infinitely Less Objectionable' Rules Group Must Act Johnston Hails Democrats Eisenhower Held Adamant

Civil Rights Veto Held Avoidable; Jury Plan Is Key; If Controversial Amendment Is Limited To Voting Cases It May Be Acceptable Senators Defend Bill Smith Doubts Eisenhower, Will Kill Measure Even In Its Present Form

Union 'President' Disclaims Post; Senate Witness Says He Was Unaware He Headed 'Paper' Local That Aided Hoffa Union 'President' Disclaims Office Tells Of Mysterious Mail Charter Canceled Mayor Calls Meeting

World Events — August 1957

Time Person of the Year — 1957

Hungarian Freedom Fighter
Person of the Year
Hungarian Freedom Fighter

On the radio

Billboard Charts — August 2, 1957

(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires
Best Sellers #1
"(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear"
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 — August 2, 1957

Around the World in 80 Days
Box Office #1
Around the World in 80 Days
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 — August 2, 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

Interested in postcards, posters or t-shirts? Leave your email and we’ll let you know.