January 31, 1958
By the winter of 1958, Eisenhower was in the White House and the federal minimum wage stood at $1.00/hr — the United States was actively debating whether control of its emerging space program should rest with the military or a new civilian agency, a question Congress was already moving to resolve with a 78-1 Senate vote to establish a dedicated space committee. On screen, Marlon Brando's "Sayonara" was drawing audiences to theaters, while on television, "Gunsmoke" held its position as the country's top-rated show, with Americans also reading Boris Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago" in large numbers after its long-delayed arrival in English. The Baltimore Colts claimed the NFL championship that winter, and on December 14, a Soviet expedition made history by becoming the first team ever to reach the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility, one of the most remote and difficult-to-access points on Earth.
On the cover
Magazine Covers — January 31, 1958
NY Times Headlines — Week of January 31, 1958
Eisenhower Asks 5-Year Extension Of Trade Pact Act; Message To Congress Warns Of Soviet Economic Push -- Seeks Tariff Cuts Eisenhower Asks Trade Pact Help
Eisenhower Spurs G.O.P. Vote Drive To Win Congress; Sees 'Good Start' To Victory -- Assures Committee Of Pre-Election Upturn President Exhorts Republicans To 'Work Hard' For November
Military Power: How U. S. Stands; Nation Is Found To Maintain Superiority, But Soviet Poses Rising Threat
Jackson Predicts A Moon Shot Soon; Senator Says U. S. Could Be Ready In 'A Few Months' Jackson Predicts A Moon Shot Soon
Pentagon To Spur Satellite Plans; Vast Spending Increase Set -- Army Designs 2 Space Ships To Scan Earth
President Orders Killian To Study Space Programs; He Acts To Resolve Issue Of Civilian Versus Military Rule Over Activities Study Is Ordered On Space Agency
World Events — January 1958
Time Person of the Year — 1958
On the radio
Billboard Charts — January 31, 1958
Grammy Awards
On the bookshelf
On the television
Nielsen Top 10 — 1957–58 Season
Emmy Winners — 1958
At the movies
Box Office & Oscar Winners — January 31, 1958
On the field
Sports Champions — January 31, 1958
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