‘Personality’ by Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Mar 9 1946)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, March 9, 1946) — “Personality” by by Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers (with Paul Weston and his Orchestra) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.

42 die in cable car tragedy at Cavalese ski resort 50 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1976)

1970s


Video: 'The First Cavalese Cable Car Disaster | A Short Documentary | Fascinating Horror'

(Monday, March 9, 1976, 5:19 p.m. Central European Time) — A fully loaded aerial cable car plunged more than 600 feet to the ground this afternoon at an Alpine ski resort after a steel support cable snapped, killing 42 people in what officials said was the deadliest cable car accident in history. Continue reading 42 die in cable car tragedy at Cavalese ski resort 50 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1976) →

Germany declares war on Portugal during World War I 110 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1916)

1910s, World War II

portugal

(Thursday, March 9, 1916, 3:30 p.m. Central European Time; during World War I) — Germany this afternoon declared war on Portugal, which had earlier this year honored its alliance with Great Britain by seizing German ships anchored in Lisbon’s harbor.

18 Americans killed in Pancho Villa raid on Columbus, New Mexico 110 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1916)

1910s


Video: 'Pancho Villa raids Columbus, New Mexico'

(Thursday, March 9, 1916, 4:15 a.m. MST; during the Battle of Columbus) — A band of Mexican raiders led by revolutionary leader Pancho Villa attacked the U.S. border town of Columbus, New Mexico, early today, setting fire to buildings and touching off a fierce battle with American troops stationed there. Continue reading 18 Americans killed in Pancho Villa raid on Columbus, New Mexico 110 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1916) →

‘Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)’ by Mike + The Mechanics peaks at #6 in USA 40 years ago today (Mar 8 1986)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, March 8, 1986) — “Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)” by Mike + The Mechanics peaked at #6 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)’ by Mike + The Mechanics peaks at #6 in USA 40 years ago today (Mar 8 1986) →

‘Fargo’ black comedy crime film opens in New York City 30 years ago this hour (Mar 8 1996)

1990s, movies 1990s


Video: 'Fargo' trailer

(Friday, March 8, 1996, 10:30 a.m. EST) — Fargo, a neo-noir black comedy crime thriller about a a car salesman’s inept crime that falls apart, opened this morning at Sony Theatres Lincoln Square in New York City. Continue reading ‘Fargo’ black comedy crime film opens in New York City 30 years ago this hour (Mar 8 1996) →

Alexander Graham Bell receives U.S. patent for his telephone 150 years ago today (Mar 7 1876)

1870s


Video: 'On This Day 7th Of March Alexander Graham Bell - first Patent & First Phone Call. Short Documentary.'

(Tuesday, March 7, 1876) — Alexander Graham Bell, 29, was granted a United States patent (No. 174,465) today for an invention he called the telephone.

‘Lights Out’ by Eddy Duchin peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Mar 7 1936)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s

(Saturday, March 7, 1936) — “Lights Out” by Eddy Duchin and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Lew Sherwood) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for two non-consecutive weeks (Mar. 7/21, 1936). Continue reading ‘Lights Out’ by Eddy Duchin peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Mar 7 1936) →

First successful trans-Atlantic radio-telephone conversations take place 100 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1926)

1920s

(Sunday, March 7, 1926, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST/1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. GMT) — For the first time, extended and successful conversations were held by telephone between New York and London this morning at a demonstration of progress in the transatlantic radio telephone by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, the Radio Corporation of America and the British General Post Office.