Video: 'Story Behind The Song: Silent Night'
(Thursday, December 24, 1818, Christmas Eve) — The Christmas carol “Silent Night” (Stille Nacht), with words by the priest Josef Mohr, set to music by organist Franz Xaver Gruber, was publicly performed for the first time tonight during the Christmas Midnight Mass at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria. Continue reading Christmas carol ‘Silent Night’ first performed in Salzburg, Austria 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1818)
(Saturday, December 24, 1988) — “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three consecutive weeks (Dec. 24/31, 1988, Jan. 7, 1989). Continue reading ‘Every Rose Has Its Thorn’ by Poison peaks at #1 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1988)
(Saturday, December 24, 1988) — “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ by Guns N’ Roses peaks at #7 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1988)
Video: 'Apollo 8 CBS' (Dec. 24, 1968, coverage begins with video #20)
(Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 1968, 9:59:20 UTC) — Having flown around the leading edge of the moon, Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders became the first humans to see the far side of the moon today as they fired the engines of the craft to begin mankind’s first lunar orbit. Continue reading Apollo 8 astronauts first humans to see far side of moon 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1968)
(Saturday, December 23, 1978) — “I Love the Nightlife” by Alicia Bridges peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks.
(Saturday, December 23, 1978) — “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan peaked at #21 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks.
Video: 'USS Pueblo Crew Released by North Koreans'
(Monday, December 23, 1968, 11:30 a.m. Korean Standard Time; during the Cold War) — North Korea today released the 82 members of the U.S. Navy ship USS Pueblo after 11 months of captivity that had started when American ship was seized by North Korean ships on Jan. 23, 1968. Continue reading North Korea frees 82 members U.S. Navy ship USS Pueblo 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 23 1968)
(Monday, December 22, 1958) — “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by The Chipmunks and David Seville peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (Dec. 22/29, 1958). Continue reading ‘The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)’ by The Chipmunks and David Seville peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1958)
(Thursday, December 23, 1948, 12:01-12:35 a.m. ) — Hideki Tojo, the former dictator of Japan responsible for ordering the attack on Pearl Harbor, which initiated war between Japan and the United States, and six Japanese military and government officials were hanged this morning at Sugamo Prison on the outskirts of Tokyo as criminals against international law. Continue reading Tojo, six other Japanese war leaders executed in Tokyo 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 23 1948)
Video: 'Pan Am Flight 103 taken down in 1988 bombing'
(Wednesday, December 21, 1988, 19:02:50 UTC) — 270 people were killed tonight when a terrorist bomb exploded aboard a Pan Am Boeing 747 over Lockerbie, Scotland, sending wreckage crashing to the ground. Continue reading 270 people killed as Pan Am Flight 103 explodes over Lockerbie, Scotland 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1988)
