When This Dropped

September 14, 1957

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

That fall of 1957, gas ran $0.31 a gallon and Eisenhower was in the White House — and the Soviet Union had just launched Sputnik 2, carrying a dog named Laika as the first living creature to orbit the Earth, pushing the space race into urgent new territory for American policymakers. On television, "Gunsmoke" was the country's top-rated show, while "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was drawing crowds to movie theaters across the nation. The Milwaukee Braves defeated the New York Yankees in seven games to claim the World Series, the same fall that "West Side Story," with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, opened on Broadway for the first time.

On the cover

Magazine Covers — September 14, 1957

New York Times
Time
TV Guide
Nat. Geographic

NY Times Headlines — Week of September 14, 1957

Bulganin Warns Turkey To Avoid Attack On Syria; Charges Troops Are Poised On Border To Carry Out Plan Directed By U.S. Hints Action By Soviet Says Mideast Military Move Might Bring World War-- Washington Denies Plot Turkey Accused By Gromyko Bulganin Cites Geography Bulganin Warns Turks On Syria Bulganin Appeals To Turkey U.S. Disavows Any Role

Turkey Disavows Charge She Plans To Attack Syria; Says Soviet Twists Facts About Normal Maneuvers Of Her Armed Forces Declares Peace Is Aim Ankara Sends Reassurance, But Damascus Continues To Call Up Officers False Rumors Charged Turkey Breaks Silence Turkey Disavows Plan For Attack Syria Gets Reassurance

Wilson Reduces Military Forces By 100,000 More; Orders New Cut Carried Out By Next June--He Notes President'S Approval Effect Of New Order Says Soviet Still Lags Wilson Orders New Reduction Of 100,000 In Military Forces Suggestion Is Rejected Army Is Hardest Hit

World Events — September 1957

Time Person of the Year — 1957

Hungarian Freedom Fighter
Person of the Year
Hungarian Freedom Fighter

On the radio

Billboard Charts — September 14, 1957

Diana
Paul Anka with Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Don Costa
Best Sellers #1
"Diana"
Paul Anka with Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Don Costa

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 — 1957–58 Season

Gunsmoke
Nielsen #1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Nielsen
Top 10
TV Shows
Nielsen Ratings
Top 10 TV Shows
1957–58 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 — September 14, 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 — September 14, 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.