Monthly Archives: November 2015

U.S. Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks dies 130 years ago this hour (Nov 25 1885)

1880s, U.S. Presidents

(Wednesday, November 25, 1885, 5:00 p.m. local time) — Thomas A. Hendricks, the 21st Vice President of the United States (1885, under Grover Cleveland), suffered an apparent fatal heart attack today in Indianapolis, Indiana, after only less than nine months in office.

Following Hendricks’s death at age 66, the office of Vice-President was vacant for more than three years until March 4, 1889, when Levi P. Morton was inaugurated.

Hendricks was the fifth of seven U.S. Vice Presidents to die of natural causes while in office (1812-1912).

‘Exhale (Shoop Shoop)’ by Whitney Houston peaks at #1 in USA 20 years ago today (Nov 25 1995)

1990s, movies 1990s, Popular Music 1990s

(Saturday, November 25, 1995) — “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” by Whitney Houston peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. It was the singer’s eleventh of eleven number one hits on the chart (1985-1995).

60 die as gunmen hurl grenades when Egypt storms hijacked jet in Malta 30 years ago this hour (Nov 24 1985)

1980s


Video: 'Egypt Air Hijacking'

(Sunday, November 24, 1985, 8:15 p.m. CET) — The hijacking of an EgyptAir jetliner parked on the ground in Malta ended violently today as Egyptian commandos stormed the plane. Fifty-eight people died in the raid, in addition to two others killed by the hijackers.

‘It’s Been a Long, Long Time’ by Harry James and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Nov 24 1945)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, November 24, 1945) — “It’s Been a Long, Long Time” by Harry James and His Orchestra (with vocal by Kitty Kallen) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for three non-consecutive weeks (Nov. 24, Dec. 1/22, 1945).

Mississippi becomes first Southern state to enact ‘Black Codes’ 150 years ago today (Nov 24 1865)

1860s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Reconstruction - black codes 14th wques'

(Friday, November 24, 1865) — Mississippi today became the first Southern state to enact laws which came to be known as “Black Codes” aimed at limiting the rights of newly freed blacks. Other states of the former Confederacy soon followed.

Filming for ‘The Monkees’ TV pilot concludes 50 years ago today (Nov 23 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'The Monkees "Unaired" Pilot Episode (Improved Color & audio)'

(Tuesday, November 23, 1965) — Filming in San Diego and Los Angeles for The Monkees TV pilot, a situation comedy about four young men trying to make a name for themselves as rock ‘n roll singers, starring Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, concluded today.

The musical performances were originally recorded by Candy Store Prophets (Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart) lip-synced by the Monkees for the pilot and later re-recorded by The Monkees when the episode actually aired Nov. 14, 1966.

‘Spies Like Us’ single by Paul McCartney debuts at #59 in USA 30 years ago today (Nov 23 1985)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Paul McCartney - Spies Like Us'

(Saturday, November 23, 1985) — “Spies Like Us” by Paul McCartney, from the film of the same name, debuted at #59 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

The Beatles shoot promotional videos for five songs 50 years ago this hour (Nov 23 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'The Beatles - We Can Work it Out' (version 2)

(Tuesday, November 23, 1965, 4:00 p.m.-early morning GMT) — The Beatles returned to Twickenham Film Studios today in London to produce ten promotional videos for their forthcoming single We Can Work It Out/Day Tripper, as well as older songs Help!, Ticket To Ride and I Feel Fine. Continue reading The Beatles shoot promotional videos for five songs 50 years ago this hour (Nov 23 1965) →

‘Nightline’ profiles The Beatles on ABC-TV 20 years ago this hour (Nov 22 1995)

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


Video: 'ABC Nightline: A Little Help From Their Friends'

(Wednesday, November 22, 1995, 11:36 p.m.-12:05 a.m. EST) — In a program titled “A Little Help From Their Friends,” Nightline, a late-night news program broadcast by ABC-TV in the United States, profiled The Beatles tonight and the chatter surrounding The Beatles Anthology documentary series broadcast this week on the network.

‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ episode airs on ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ 40 years ago this hour (Nov 22 1975)

1970s, Television 1970s


Video: 'The Bob Newhart Show (3/5) The Infamous Thanksgiving Episode (1972)'

(Saturday, November 22, 1975, 9:30 p.m. EST) — Bob spends a depressing Thanksgiving with Jerry, Howard and Mr. Carlin, getting drunk, watching football and ordering “Moo Goo Gai Pan” on tonight’s episode of the CBS sitcom television series The Bob Newhart Show.

In 1997, TV Guide ranked this episode number 9 on its “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time” list.