Monthly Archives: December 2017

Reagan, Gorbachev sign missile treaty 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 8 1987)

1980s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'President Reagan: Signing of the INF Treaty with Premier Gorbachev, December 8, 1987'

(Tuesday, December 8, 1987, 1:45 p.m. EST; during the Washington Summit, part of the Cold War) — With fervent calls for a new era of peaceful understanding, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), the first treaty reducing the size of their nations’ nuclear arsenals, today at the White House. Continue reading Reagan, Gorbachev sign missile treaty 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 8 1987) →

The Rolling Stones release ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’ album 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 8 1967)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Sing This All Together (Remastered 2017 / Stereo)'

(Friday, December 8, 1967) — The Rolling Stones released Their Satanic Majesties Request, their sixth British studio album, today in Britain (Dec. 9, 1967 in the U.S.), which saw the band experimenting widely with a psychedelic sound. Continue reading The Rolling Stones release ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’ album 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 8 1967) →

Pearson claims JFK’s ‘Profiles in Courage’ book was ghostwritten by aide 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1957)

1950s, Television 1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'American Experience The Kennedys 1' ('Profiles' controversy at 1:10:21)

(Saturday, December 7, 1957, 10:00-10:30 p.m. EST) — Journalist Drew Pearson claimed Senator John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize winning book Profiles in Courage was “ghostwritten for him” by Kennedy speechwriter Ted Sorensen during a live interview on tonight‘s The Mike Wallace Interview program on ABC-TV (click here to watch the interview, the Kennedy reference begins at 12:25). Continue reading Pearson claims JFK’s ‘Profiles in Courage’ book was ghostwritten by aide 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1957) →

43 killed in murder–suicide jetliner crash 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1987)

1980s


Video: 'Mayday Air Crash Investigation S11E010 I'm The Problem Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771'

(Monday, December 7, 1987, 4:16 p.m. PST) — All 43 passengers and crew aboard Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 were killed today when David A. Burke, a disgruntled former employee of USAir, the parent company of PSA, apparently opened fire on five people, including the two pilots, causing the San Francisco-bound plane to crash near Cayucos, California. Continue reading 43 killed in murder–suicide jetliner crash 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1987) →

Otis Redding completes recording ‘Dock of the Bay’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1967)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Otis Redding - (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (Official Video)'

(Thursday, December 7, 1967) — Three days before his accidental death in a plane crash, soul singer Otis Redding completed overdubs for his smash hit “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” today at Stax Studios, Memphis, Tennessee. Continue reading Otis Redding completes recording ‘Dock of the Bay’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1967) →

The Beatles open Apple Boutique in London 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1967)

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


Video: 'Beatles Apple Boutique, London 1968'

(Thursday, December 7, 1967) — The Beatles today opened the Apple Boutique, a retail store primarily stocked with fashion garments and accessories, located at 94 Baker Street in London. Continue reading The Beatles open Apple Boutique in London 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1967) →

Delaware first state to ratify U.S. Constitution 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1787)

1780s


Video: 'The Constitution of the United States of America'

(Friday, December 7, 1787) — Delaware voted 30-0 today to become the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America featuring the separation of powers doctrine, whereby the federal government would be divided into three branches (legislative, executive and judicial). Continue reading Delaware first state to ratify U.S. Constitution 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1787) →

Ringo Starr begins filming first solo acting role 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1967)

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


Video: 'Ringo plays a horny Mexican in 'Candy'' (Dec. 7, 1967, at 0:00-0:23)

(Thursday, December 7, 1967, 8:30 a.m. CET) — Ringo Starr of The Beatles launched his solo acting career today as he began playing the role of Emmanuel, a Mexican gardner, in the garden of a house, just down the street from Incom Film Studios in Rome, for the movie Candy. Continue reading Ringo Starr begins filming first solo acting role 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1967) →

Everglades National Park dedicated by President Truman 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1947)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Everglades National Park Dedication (December 6, 1947)'

(Saturday, December 6, 1947, 2:30 p.m. EST) — Everglades National Park, a U.S. National Park in Florida that protects the southern 20 percent of the original Everglades, was dedicated by President Harry S. Truman today in Everglades City. Continue reading Everglades National Park dedicated by President Truman 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1947) →

America’s first attempt to launch a satellite fails 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1957)

1950s, Cold War, space exploration


Video: 'Vanguard TV3 Rocket Launch Explosion'

(Friday, December 6, 1957, 16:44:34 UTC; during the Cold War) — America’s first attempt at putting a satellite into orbit around the Earth failed today as Vanguard TV3 rose about four feet off a Cape Canaveral, Florida, launch pad before crashing down and exploding. Continue reading America’s first attempt to launch a satellite fails 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1957) →