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.

‘Valley of the Dolls’ novel published 50 years ago today (Feb 10 1966)


Video: 'Jacqueline Susann A&E Biography From 2000' ('Valley of the Dolls' at 26:18)

(Thursday, February 10, 1966)Valley of the Dolls by American writer Jacqueline Susann was released today by publisher Bernard Geis Associates and quickly rose to become the number one best-selling novel.

Nazi Germany’s Reichstag gives Gestapo secret police absolute authority 80 years ago today (Feb 10 1936)


Video: 'Gestapo Documentary' (15 videos)

(Monday, February 10, 1936) — The Nazi Reichstag passed the ‘Gestapo Law’ today, investing the Gestapo secret police with absolute authority exempt from any legal review.

The Beach Boys complete ‘I Know There’s an Answer’ 50 years ago today (Feb 9 1966)


Video: 'I Know There's An Answer (The Stereo Mix) (1996 Digital Remaster)'

(Wednesday, February 9, 1966) — The Beach Boys today completed recording “I Know There’s an Answer” at United Western Recorders studios in Hollywood for release on the Pet Sounds album on May 16, 1966.

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)