This Day in Pop Culture for August 5

1914: The First Electric Traffic Signal

Although traffic signals had been around much earlier, the very first electric traffic signal was installed in Cleveland, Ohio on this day in 1914. The birdhouse-shaped traffic signal was built by a Lester Wire, a police officer. At that time, there were just two colors – red and green. Like the earlier traffic signals, these new ones were operated manually. The first automated traffic light wasn’t installed until two years later, also in Cleveland.

1950: ‘American Bandstand’ Premieres

Though known by many as American Bandstand the show actually began in 1950 on local TV station WFIL-TV Channel 6 in Philadelphia. Simply known as Bandstand, the show was hosted by Bob Horn and featured short musical films which some consider to be predecessors to the music video. Not understanding that he was ahead of his time, Horn wanted the show changed to show teenagers dancing to hit songs. This new format debuted in 1952. Four years later, Horn was fired after a drunk-driving arrest. This is when Dick Clark stepped in.

The show went national with the name changed to American Bandstand on this day in 1957. The show initially appeared during the afternoon on weekdays before becoming a Saturday morning staple. It is reported that the only person to ever co-host the show with Clark was Donna Summer who appeared on May 27, 1978, to help promote the movie, Thank God It’s Friday.

The show aired for the last time in 1987. In 2004, Clark announced that he and Ryan Seacrest were working on a revival of the show for the 2005 season, but due to his stroke in 2004, the new version never materialized.

1733: Freedom of the Press

In 1733, New York publisher John Peter Zenger printed a newspaper to spout off on his disagreement with policies of the newly appointed colonial governor William Cosby. Zenger was charged with seditious libel. After serving eight months in prison, Zenger had his day in court and on this day in 1733, he was found not guilty. Lawyers in the case presented the idea that even if information can be defamatory, it cannot be considered libelous if the story can be proved to be true. (Image: Wikimedia)

1963: Norman

Norman Craig Breedlove Sr. set a world land speed record aboard the Spirit of America at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah at 407.45 mph.

1957: Andy

Reg Smythe’s working-class comic strip, Andy Capp debuted in The Daily Mirror. The strip appeared in American papers in 1963.

1998: Drew

Based on the British series of the same name, Drew Carey hosted the improve competition series, Whose Line is it Anyway? On ABC.

1953: Roman War Movie Makes an Impact

Directed by Fred Zinnemann, From Here to Eternity made a big impact when it opened in theaters on this day. The romantic war drama was based on James Jones’ novel of the same name. It told the story of three soldiers during the time just before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The all-star cast included Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Warden, Claude Akins and George Reeves.

Joan Crawford was offered a role in the film, but lost her chance when she demanded that her own photographer to film all of her shots. Some speculated that Sinatra got his role in the movie through Mafia connection, but there is no evidence of that. However, a more plausible explanation may be that his wife at the time, Ava Gardner, put a good word in for him to Columbia Pictures studio head. Regardless, he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Of From Here to Eternity’s other seven wins (there were 13 nominations), the movie also won Oscars for Best Supporting Actress (Reed), Best Screenplay (Daniel Taradash), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Recording and of course, Best Director and Best Motion Picture.