Monthly Archives: February 2016

‘Deep Blue’ computer beats chess champion Garry Kasparov in upset 20 years ago today (Feb 10 1996)


Video: 'Deep Blue vs. Kasparov 1996 Game 1'

(Saturday, February 10, 1996) — World chess champion Garry Kasparov lost the first game of a match today in Philadelphia against an IBM computer dubbed “Deep Blue.”

Kasparov ended up winning the match, 4 games to 2; he was defeated by Deep Blue in a rematch the following year.

U2 overshadows Mariah Carey at Grammys 10 years ago this hour (Feb 8 2006)


Video: 'Popular 48th Annual Grammy Awards & Grammy Awards videos' (111 videos)

(Wednesday, February 8, 2006, 8:00-11:30 p.m. EST) — The veteran Irish rock band U2 captured the limelight tonight at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, winning five awards for their album How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, including album of the year, and overshadowing the comeback story of the evening, Mariah Carey, and the producer-turned-rapper Kanye West.

Sly and the Family Stone also reunited for a performance. Stone had not performed live in 19 years.

President Johnson pledges stronger war effort in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1966)


Video: 'Vietnam War Honolulu Conference: President Johnson, Generals Thieu & Westmoreland Feb 5-7 1966'

(Tuesday, February 8, 1966, 12:00 noon HAST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and South Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Cao Ky concluded their meetings in Hawaii today by issuing the “Declaration of Honolulu,” which asserted the resolve of their countries to defeat the Communists. Continue reading President Johnson pledges stronger war effort in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1966)

‘Spies Like Us’ by Paul McCartney peaks at #8 in USA 30 years ago today (Feb 8 1986)

(Saturday, February 8, 1986)“Spies Like Us” by Paul McCartney, from the film of the same name, peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.

It was McCartney’s 22nd of 23 top ten hits on the chart outside of The Beatles (1971-2015 — The Beatles had 34 top ten hits on the chart between 1964-1996).

‘Taxi Driver’ opens in New York City 40 years ago this hour (Feb 8 1976)


Video: 'Taxi Driver' trailer

(Sunday, February 8, 1976, 12:00 p.m. EST)Taxi Driver, a vigilante film with neo-noir and psychological thriller elements about a loner who becomes fixated on a teen prostitute, opened today at the Coronet in New York City.

Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film starred Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Albert Brooks, Harvey Keitel, Leonard Harris, Peter Boyle and Cybill Shepherd.

George and Pattie Harrison depart for honeymoon 50 years ago today (Feb 8 1966)


Video: 'George Harrison & Pattie Boyd wedding 1966' (Feb. 8, 1966, at 6:58)

(Tuesday, February 8, 1966) — Eighteen days after they married in Esher, Surrey, George Harrison (of The Beatles) and his new wife Pattie boarded a Barbados-bound BOAC flight today at London Airport for their honeymoon. They would return to London on Feb. 25, 1966, George’s 23rd birthday. Continue reading George and Pattie Harrison depart for honeymoon 50 years ago today (Feb 8 1966)