World news events

  • Soviet Union inaugurates the "Space Age" by launching Sputnik I, the world's first artificial satellite. A month later Sputnik II carries a dog into orbit, making that dog the first living being to enter space.
  • President Eisenhower announces "Eisenhower Doctrine," pledging defense of Middle Eastern nations against communism
  • Federal troops ordered to enforce integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas
  • Israel withdraws from Sinai Peninsula
  • European Common Market created
  • Britain detonates hydrogen bomb; U.S. conducts first underground nuclear test
  • Francois Duvalier was elected President of Haiti.

Science & Technology

  • Successful Sputnik satellites mark the beginning of the "Space Race," with intensive efforts by both the U.S. and Soviet Union to achieve space milestones.
  • 67 nations participate in International Geophysical Year of earth science research
  • Growth-producing hormone discovered
  • Interferon discovered
  • Both the United States and the USSR successfully launched Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.

Sports

  • NBA: Boston Celtics vs. St. Louis Hawks Series: 4-3
  • NCAA Football: Auburn & Ohio State Record: 10-0-0 & 9-1-0
  • Heisman Trophy: John David Crow, texas a&m;, HB points: 1,183
  • Stanley Cup: Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins Series: 4-1
  • US Open Golf: Dick Mayer Score: 282 Course: Inverness Club Location: Toledo, Ohio
  • World Series: Milwaukee Braves vs. New York Yankees Series: 4-3
     

Movies

  • The Ten Commandments
  • Around the World in 80 Days
  • Giant
  • Pal Joey
  • Seven Wonders of the World
  • The Tea House of the August Moon
  • The Pride and Passion
  • Anastasia
  • Island in the Sun
  •  Love Me Tender

         Academy Awards

  • Best Picture: "The Bridge on the River Kwai"
  • Best Director: David Lean ... "The Bridge on the River Kwai"
  • Best Actor: Alec Guinness ... "The Bridge on the River Kwai"
  • Best Actress: Joanne Woodward ... "The Three Faces of Eve"

 

Most Popular Books

Fiction
1 ." By Love Possessed"... James Gould Cozzens & Harcourt, Brace
2." Peyton Place" ...Grace Metalious. Messner
3."Compulsion" ...Meyer Levin. Simon & Schuster
4."Rally Round the Flag, Boys!"... Max Shulman. Doubleday
5. "Blue Camellia"...Frances Parkinson Keyes. Messner
6. "Eloise in Paris"...Kay Thompson. Simon & Schuster
7." The Scapegoat"... Daphne du Maurier. Doubleday
8. "On the Beach"... Nevil Shute. Morrow
9. "Below the Salt"... Thomas B. Costain, Doubleday
10."Atlas Shrugged"... Ayn Rand. Random House
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Nonfiction
1. "Kids Say the Darndest Things!"... Art Linkletter. PrenticeHall
2. "The FBI Story"... Don Whitehead. Random House
3. "Stay Alive All Your Life"...Norman Vincent Peale. PrenticeHall
4."To Live Again"... Catherine Marshall. McGraw-Hill
5."Better Homes and Gardens Flower Arranging."... Meredith
6."Where Did You Go? Out. What Did You Do? Nothing"...Robert Paul Smith. Norton
7."Baruch: My Own Story"... Bernard M. Baruch. Holt
8."Please Don't Eat the Daisies"... Jean Kerr. Doubleday
9."The American Heritage Book of Great Historic Places"... American Heritage Publishing Co. and Simon & Schuster
10. "The Day Christ Died,"... Jim Bishop
 

Music

1. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
2. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
3. Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On - Jerry Lee Lewis
4. Walkin' After Midnight - Patsy Cline
5. Banana Boat Song (Day-O) - Harry Belafante
6. You Send Me - Sam Cooke
7. Chances Are - Johnny Mathis
8. School Day - Chuck Berry
9. That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly
10. Goody Goody - Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
11. Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris
12. (Let Me Be) Your Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
13. All Shook Up - Elvis Presley
14. Come Go With Me - Dell-Vikings
15. Little Darlin' - Diamonds
16. Party Doll - Buddy Knox
17. Rock and Roll Music - Chuck Berry
18. Silhouettes - the Rays
19. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
20. Love Is Strange - Micky & Sylvia
21. Wake Up Little Susie - the Everly Brothers
22. Be-Bop Baby - Ricky Nelson
23. Mr. Lee - Bobbettes
24. I'm Walkin' - Fats Domino
25. April Love - Pat Boone
26. Young Blood - the Coasters
27. Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers
28. Diana - Paul Anka
29. Bye Bye Love - the Everly Brothers
30. Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone
31. It's Not For Me To Say - Johnny Mathis
32. Wonderful! Wonderful! - Johnny Mathis
33. My Special Angel - Bobby Helms
34. Searchin' - The Coasters
35. Young Love - Tab Hunter
36. The Twelfth of Never - Johnny Mathis
37. Treat Me Nice - Elvis Presley
38. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine - Jimmy Rodgers
39. Tear Drops - Lee Andrews and The Hearts
40. Bony Moronie - Larry Williams
 

Number One Song according to Billboard Magazine:

December 29, 1956 - February 8, 1957: Singing The Blues - Guy Mitchell
February 9 - February 15: Don't Forbid Me - Pat Boone
February 16 - March 29: Young Love - Tab Hunter
March 30 - April 19: Butterfly - Andy Williams
April 20 - June 2: All Shook Up - Elvis Presley
Juune 3 - July 14: Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone
July 15 - September 1: Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley
September 2 - October 6: Tammy - Debbie Reynolds
October 7 - October 20: Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers
October 21 - November 3: Wake Up Little Susie - The Everly Brothers
November 4 - December 8: Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
December 9 - December 29: You Send Me - Sam Cooke
December 30, 1957 - January 3, 1958: April Love - Pat Boone