It's September ninth, and on this day in 1956... Elvis Presley made his historic debut on *The Ed Sullivan Show*, performing live from CBS Television City in Los Angeles. With Ed Sullivan recovering from a car accident, actor Charles Laughton hosted the program. Elvis delivered electrifying renditions of “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Ready Teddy,” and “Hound Dog.” The broadcast drew over 60 million viewers—an astonishing 82.6% of the American television audience—making it one of the most-watched events of the decade. The performance catapulted Elvis into national superstardom and marked a defining moment in the rise of rock and roll.
