The single, "Jailhouse Rock" spent one week at the top of the country charts, and reached the number one position on the R&B chart. The B-side "Treat Me Nice" (another song from the “Jailhouse Rock” movie soundtrack) was a number-one hit for seven weeks in the fall of 1957.
Elvis Presley during a “Jailhouse Rock” recording session.
Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide on this day in 1945, one day after their wedding. One week later Germany surrendered unconditionally.
A Russian soldier is standing amid the rubble in Adolf Hitler’s command bunker where he and wife Eva Braun were alleged to have committed suicide.
Communists North Vietnamese troops entered the Independence Palace of South Vietnam in Saigon on this day in 1975. Eleven Marines lifted off of the U.S. Embassy were the last soldiers to evacuate.
George Washington’s inauguration as first President of America took place at Federal Hall in New York City on this day in 1789. It became the first U.S. national holiday.
Federal Hall as it looks today.
On this day in 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.
Depiction of the official signing of the Louisiana Purchase.
Willie Hugh Nelson was born in Abbott, Texasin 1933. He’s now 85.
Country singer, activist, poet, songwriter, actor, and author Willie Nelson helped create Farm Aid. He has written many country hits, including “ On the Road Again”,"Funny How Time Slips Away" and "Hello Walls."
On this day in 1992, rioting began after a jury decision to acquit four Los Angeles policemen (below) in the Rodney King beating trial. A total of 54 people were killed in 3 days.
Rodney King, central figure in L.A. riots.
On this day in 1945, the Nazi death camp, Dachau, was liberated and on the same day in a bunker in Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun (below) were married.
President Nixon announced he was releasing edited transcripts of secretly made White House tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal.
Jerome Allen "Jerry" Seinfeld is 64 years old today. He was born in Brooklyn, New York.
Stand-up comedian, producer, actor, and writer Jerry Seinfeld co-created and starred in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, which became one of the most popular television comedies of all time, winning ten Emmy Awards during its run which began in 1989 and aired for nine seasons. In 2012, he began the internet comedy series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, where he chats with other comedians.
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974)
One of the jazz worlds most influential figures. He led his famed orchestra from 1923 until his death. He called his music American Music, not jazz. He helped compose more than 1,000 original pieces, many of which became standards. Ellington was called Duke by his friends growing up because his suave sophistication reminded them of a nobleman.
On this day in 1945, Benito Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci were executed by Italian partisans as they attempted to flee the country.
Muhammad Ali (center) refused induction into the U.S. Army on this day in 1967 and was stripped of his boxing title. He cited religious grounds for his refusal.
A recruiting sergeant talks to Ali at the induction center in Houston.
A Russian rocket launched from Central Asia with the first space tourist aboard on this day in 2001. The crew consisted of California businessman Dennis Tito (61) and two cosmonauts. The destination was the international space station.
Stand-up comedian Jay Leno hosted The Tonight Show from 1992 to 2014 and had gained additional fame for his exquisite car collection (below). He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2014.