Monthly Archives: December 2012

‘Match Game’ premieres on NBC 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, Television 1960s


Video: '1962 TV GAME SHOW: "THE MATCH GAME" (PILOT EPISODE)'

(Monday, December 31, 1962) — Match Game, a television game show in which contestants attempt to match celebrities’ answers to fill-in-the-blank questions, debuted today on NBC. It was hosted by Gene Rayburn with announcer Johnny Olson. Continue reading ‘Match Game’ premieres on NBC 50 years ago today (1962) →

Kennedy addresses Cubans in Orange Bowl ceremony 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'December 29, 1962 - President John F. Kennedy, Orange Bowl Stadium in Miami, Florida'

(Saturday, December 29, 1962) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy, after reviewing the brigade that tried to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs in April 1961, told a highly emotional crowd of Cuban exiles today at Miami’s Orange bowl that the flag of the Bay of Pigs Brigade “will be returned” to a free Havana. Continue reading Kennedy addresses Cubans in Orange Bowl ceremony 50 years ago today (1962) →

Confederates repulse Federals in Battle of Chickasaw Bayou 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Private Chatfield wrote on 1862-12-29.avi'

(Monday, December 29, 1862; during the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, the opening engagement of the Vicksburg Campaign during the American Civil War) — Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman ordered a frontal assault on Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton at Warren County, Mississippi, today, then withdrew when it was repulsed with heavy casualties. The Confederate victory frustrated Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s attempts to take Vicksburg by direct approach.

McCartney releases ‘Hope of Deliverance/Long Leather Coat’ single in UK 20 years ago today (1992)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s, The Beatles 1990s


Video: 'Paul McCartney - Hope Of Deliverance'

(Monday, December 28, 1992) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney released “Hope of Deliverance“/”Long Leather Coat,” the first single from his new album Off The Ground, today in the UK (it was released Jan. 12, 1993 in the U.S.). Continue reading McCartney releases ‘Hope of Deliverance/Long Leather Coat’ single in UK 20 years ago today (1992) →

Soviet MiG fighters take brunt of ‘Christmas Bombings’ 40 years ago today (1972)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: Dec. 28, 1972 (5:58)

(Thursday, December 28, 1972; during Operation Linebacker II, part of the Vietnam War) — Hanoi’s Soviet MiG fighters are now taking the brunt of “The Christmas Bombings” battle over North Vietnam as ammunition is critically short. A thousand surface-to-air missiles have been used, but very few are now in evidence. By now, over 100,000 bombs have been dropped over Hanoi and Haiphong. But 33 U.S. air men are dead or missing.

‘Behind The Lens’ Linda McCartney documentary premieres 20 years ago today (1992)

1990s, Television 1990s, The Beatles 1990s


Video: 'Linda - Behind the Lens'

(Saturday, December 26, 1992, Boxing Day, 6:40 p.m. GMT) — Behind The Lens, the Arena documentary on Linda McCartney’s photographic career, premiered today on BBC2 in the UK. It included interviews with rock star husband Paul McCartney, plus friends and associates, and showed a selection of her rock photos of the Beatles, Doors, Stones, Hendrix, Who, Joplin and others.

Massive ‘Christmas Bombings’ of North Vietnam resume 40 years ago today (1972)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: Dec. 26, 1972 (at 1:21)

(Tuesday, December 26, 1972; during Operation Linebacker II, part of the Vietnam War) — Following a pause for the Christmas holiday, 220 American aircraft struck targets in North Vietnam today over a fifteen minute period, destroying a missile assembly facility and crippling radar stations and airbases. Continue reading Massive ‘Christmas Bombings’ of North Vietnam resume 40 years ago today (1972) →

Radio Moscow targets German soldiers in Stalingrad 70 years ago today (1942)

1940s, World War II


Video: Dec. 25, 1942 (at 41:39)

(Friday, December 25, 1942, Christmas Day; during the Battle of Stalingrad during Eastern Front of World War II) — Radio Moscow broadcast to German soldiers in Stalingrad, reminding them that a German soldier dies in Russia every seven seconds and that Stalingrad is a mass grave. The message with a ticking clock sound went on all day.