Viking 1 makes first successful landing on Mars 50 years ago this hour (July 20 1976)

1970s, space exploration


Video: 'Viking I Lands on Mars, ABC News, July 20, 1976'

(Tuesday, July 20, 1976, 11:53:06 UTC/7:53:06 a.m. EDT) — An explorer from Earth, the robot craft Viking 1, made the first successful landing on Mars today and transmitted spectacular photographs of a rocky, wind-scoured desert plain, the site for the first direct search for life on another world. Continue reading Viking 1 makes first successful landing on Mars 50 years ago this hour (July 20 1976) →

Iconic singer, actor Frank Sinatra, 50, marries actress Mia Farrow, 21, 60 years ago this hour (Jul 19 1966)

1960s, Movies 1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'Frank Sinatra's Vegas Wedding'

(Tuesday, July 19, 1966, 8:00 p.m. PDT) — Singer Frank Sinatra, 50, married 21-year-old actress Mia Farrow today in a ceremony attended by a few friends in Las Vegas. Continue reading Iconic singer, actor Frank Sinatra, 50, marries actress Mia Farrow, 21, 60 years ago this hour (Jul 19 1966) →

The Monkees record second version of ‘(Theme From) The Monkees’ 60 years ago this hour (Jul 19 1966)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: '(Theme From) The Monkees (Second Recorded Version) [2006 Remaster]'

(Tuesday, July 19, 1966, 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. PDT) — The Monkees completed a second recording of “(Theme From) The Monkees” tonight at RCA Victor Studio A in Hollywood, which would not be released until 1994.

1996 Summer Olympics open in Atlanta 30 years ago this hour (July 19 1996)

1990s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games - Olympic Flame & Opening Ceremony'

(Friday, July 19, 1996, 8:30 p.m. EDT) — Muhammad Ali, who suffered from Parkinson’s decease, dramatically lit the Olympic cauldron and President Bill Clinton officially opened the 1996 Summer Olympics (known officially as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad) tonight at the Centennial Olympic Stadium in Atlanta. Continue reading 1996 Summer Olympics open in Atlanta 30 years ago this hour (July 19 1996) →

Caroline Kennedy weds Edwin Schlossberg in Massachusetts 40 years ago this hour (July 19 1986)

1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'July 19, 1986 - The wedding of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg'

(Saturday, July 19, 1986, 3:00 p.m. EDT) — Caroline Kennedy, 28, the only daughter of the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy, married exhibit designer Edwin Schlossberg, 41, today at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville, Massachusetts.

‘Invisible Touch’ by Genesis peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (Jul 19 1986)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 19, 1986) — “Invisible Touch” by Genesis peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Invisible Touch’ by Genesis peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (Jul 19 1986) →

‘Nasty’ by Janet Jackson peaks at #3 in USA 40 years ago today (Jul 19 1986)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 19, 1986) — “Nasty” by Janet Jackson peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Nasty’ by Janet Jackson peaks at #3 in USA 40 years ago today (Jul 19 1986) →

‘Hyperactive’ by Robert Palmer peaks at #33 in USA 40 years ago today (Jul 19 1986)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 19, 1986) — “Hyperactive” by Robert Palmer peaked at #33 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Hyperactive’ by Robert Palmer peaks at #33 in USA 40 years ago today (Jul 19 1986) →

Singer Bobby Fuller found dead in car 60 years ago this hour (Jul 18 1966)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Bobby Fuller's Brother Sheds New Light on His Death'

(Monday, July 18, 1966, at approximately 5:15 p.m. EDT) — Pop music singer and guitarist Bobby Fuller, 23, best known for his recording of “I Fought the Law,” was found dead today in his car, parked outside his apartment in Los Angeles. Continue reading Singer Bobby Fuller found dead in car 60 years ago this hour (Jul 18 1966) →

Nadia Comaneci scores first perfect 10 in gymnastics at Olympics 50 years ago today (Jul 18 1976)

1970s


Video: 'Nadia Comaneci and the first perfect 10 outperformed modern technology'

(Sunday, July 18, 1976; during the 1976 Summer Olympics) — Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, 14, received the first-ever perfect score of 10 today with her routine on uneven parallel bars. Comaneci would go on to receive six more 10s at Montreal. Continue reading Nadia Comaneci scores first perfect 10 in gymnastics at Olympics 50 years ago today (Jul 18 1976) →