Monthly Archives: January 2016

First man-made contact with the moon made 70 years ago this hour (Jan 10 1946)

1940s, space exploration


Video: 'Radar Makes Round Trip To Moon 1946-01-31 Universal Newsreel Project Diana Earth-Moon-Earth'

(Thursday, January 10, 1946, 11:58 a.m. EST) — The first man-made contact with the moon was made today as radar signals transmitted by the U.S. Army Signal Corps from a laboratory in Belmar, New Jersey, as part of Project Diana were bounced off the lunar surface, measuring its exact distance from the Earth (a mean of 238,857 miles or 384,403 kilometers), and proving that communication is possible between Earth and outer space.

First General Assembly of the United Nations convened in London 70 years ago today (Jan 10 1946)

1940s


Video: 'Statement by C. R. Atlee, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - 1946'

(Thursday, January 10, 1946) — The fifty-one nations of the greatest wartime coalition in history, representing four-fifths of the people in the world, started another chapter in man’s melancholy search for peace and security today as the First session of the United Nations General Assembly convened at Westminster Central Hall in London.

Last British troops depart Gallipoli peninsula 100 years ago today (Jan 9 1916)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'World War I: Gallipoli Campaign' (4 videos)

(Sunday, January 9, 1916, during the Gallipoli Campaign, part of the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I) — Allied forces today completed a full retreat from the shores of the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey, ending a disastrous invasion of the Ottoman Empire.

The Gallipoli Campaign resulted in 250,000 Allied casualties and greatly discredited Allied military command. Roughly an equal number of Turks were killed or wounded.

Final episode of ABC’s ‘Shindig’ pop music show broadcast 50 years ago this hour (Jan 8 1966)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'Dick and Dee Dee sing 'Lightening Strikes from Shindig''

(Saturday, January 8, 1966, 7:30-8:30 p.m. EST) — The last episode of ABC’s Shindig! music show was broadcast tonight, featuring Jimmy O’Neill as host and Dick and DeeDee performing “Lightnin’ Strikes” (a salute to Batman).

‘Rubber Soul’ album by The Beatles peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (Jan 8 1966)

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


Video: 'The Beatles: Rubber Soul - 1965 (Full Album. 2009 Stereo Remaster)'

(Saturday, January 8, 1966) — The North American version of the album Rubber Soul by The Beatles peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard‘s 200 album chart for six consecutive weeks (Jan. 8/15/22/29, Feb. 5/12, 1966).

It was the group’s seventh of a record 19 number one albums on the chart (1964-2001).

In 2012, Rubber Soul was ranked number five on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”

‘Can’t Buy Me Love/It Won’t Be Long’ episode airs on ‘The Beatles’ cartoon series 50 years ago this hour (Jan 8 1966)

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


Video: 'The Beatles Cartoons Episode 16'

(Saturday, January 8, 1966, 10:30 a.m. EST) — John is given a friendship ring by a Polynesian girl and later, The Beatles are having a leisurely picnic in Japan when they run into Dr. Ah So on this morning’s episode of The Beatles, a weekly cartoon television series on ABC.