Video: 'Strawberry Fields Forever - Take 26 (RM9)'
(Wednesday, December 21, 1966, 10:00-11:45 p.m. GMT) — The Beatles completed recording “Strawberry Fields Forever” tonight at EMI Studio 2 in London as John Lennon re-recorded his lead vocals, accompanied by snare drum and occasional piano. Continue reading The Beatles complete recording ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1966)
Video: 'When I'm Sixty-Four- The Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)'
(Wednesday, December 21, 1966, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. GMT) — The Beatles completed recording “When I’m Sixty-Four” tonight at EMI Studio 2 in London with the overdub of a clarinet part scored by George Martin. Continue reading The Beatles finish recording ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1966)
(Saturday, December 21, 1996) — “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four weeks. The track was ranked number 406 on Rolling Stone‘s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2004.
Video: 'It's A Wonderful Life' trailer
(Friday, December 20, 1946, 8:30 p.m. EST) — It’s a Wonderful Life, an American Christmas fantasy drama film about an angel who helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed, premiered tonight at special benefit showing for the Boys’ Club of New York at the Globe theatre at 205 West 46th Street in midtown-Manhattan. Continue reading ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1946)
(Saturday, December 20, 1986) — “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four consecutive weeks (Dec. 20/27, 1986, Jan. 3/10, 1987).
(Saturday, December 20, 1986) — “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King peaked at #9 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks, returning the charts 25 years after peaking at #4 because it was featured on the soundtrack of the 1986 film Stand by Me.
Video: 'The Beatles on EMI Studios, London - December 20, 1966'
(Tuesday, December 20, 1966, afternoon/evening GMT) — With speculation mounting about The Beatles’ future, members of the group were interviewed separately today for the Dec. 29, 1966, edition of ITN’s weekly television series Reporting ’66 outside EMI Studios in London as they arrived for their evening recording session. Continue reading The Beatles deny rumors of internal rift in separate ITN interviews 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1966)
Video: 'Platoon' trailer
(Friday, December 19, 1986, 12:00 p.m. EST) — Platoon, an American war film about a young recruit in Vietnam who faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man, opened today in U.S. theaters, including the Loews New York Twin and Astor Plaza in New York City.
Directed by Oliver Stone, the film starred Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen.
Video: 'Thomas Paine "The American Crisis" Literary animation'
(Thursday, December 19, 1776; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — Thomas Paine published his first American Crisis essay today in The Pennsylvania Journal, writing: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Continue reading ‘These are the times that try men’s souls,’ writes Thomas Paine 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1776)
Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 1' (First Indochina War begins at 34:08)
(Thursday, December 19, 1946, 8:03 p.m. ICT; during the Cold War) — The First Indochina War, primarily between between French forces and their Viet Minh opponents, broke out tonight in French Indochina when Viet Minh soldiers under Ho Chi Minh plunged Hanoi into darkness and began attacking French military positions and French homes in the Battle of Hanoi. Continue reading First Indochina War breaks out 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1946)
