Monthly Archives: April 2019

Marian Anderson performs historic concert at Lincoln Memorial 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1939)

1930s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: '"Marian Anderson Sings at the Lincoln Memorial" Newreel Story'

(Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, 5:00-5:30 p.m. EST, during the Civil rights movement (1896–1954)) — Singer Marian Anderson performed an open air concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. to 75,000 people today after being denied the use of Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution because she was black. Continue reading Marian Anderson performs historic concert at Lincoln Memorial 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1939) →

The Beatles pose for extended photo session in London 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1969)

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

(Wednesday, April 9, 1969) — The Beatles held posed for an extended photo session today in two locations: the Madingley Club on Willoughby Road in East Twickenham in London, followed by more shots taken at number 4 Ducks Walk where they boarded a boat on the River Thames. Continue reading The Beatles pose for extended photo session in London 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1969) →

NASA introduces first seven U.S. astronauts 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1959)

1950s, space exploration


Video: 'Mercury 7 Press Conference' (3 videos)

(Thursday, April 9, 1959) — Seven young military test pilots (Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard and Donald Slayton) were presented as the first seven U.S. astronauts, quickly dubbed the “Mercury Seven,” at a press conference held today by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Washington. Continue reading NASA introduces first seven U.S. astronauts 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1959) →

Mussolini’s Italy invades Albania 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 7 1939)

1930s


Video: 'Invasion Of Albania (1939)'

(Good Friday, April 7, 1939, 4:50 a.m. Central European Time; during the Italian invasion of Albania, part of Interwar period) — Italian troops landed in Albania at dawn today, debarking from sixteen units of the First Italian Naval Squadron at Santi Quaranta, Valona, Durazzo and San Giovanni di Medua. Continue reading Mussolini’s Italy invades Albania 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 7 1939) →

‘Raining in My Heart’ by Buddy Holly peaks at #88 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1959)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Monday, April 6, 1959) — “Raining in My Heart” by Buddy Holly, who died Feb. 3, 1959, at age 22 in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, peaked at #88 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Raining in My Heart’ by Buddy Holly peaks at #88 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1959) →

American explorers Peary, Henson become first people to reach North Pole 110 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1909)

1900s


Video: 'Who Was the First Person to Reach the North Pole? | National Geographic'

(Tuesday, April 6, 1909) — American explorers Robert E. Peary and Matthew A. Henson and four Inuits, Ootah, Egigingwah, Seegloo and Ooqueah, today became the first men to reach the North Pole. Continue reading American explorers Peary, Henson become first people to reach North Pole 110 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1909) →

12 nations sign North Atlantic Treaty in Washington 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1949)

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'NATO 60th Anniversary: 1949 Footage of the Original Signing Session of the North Atlantic Treaty'

(Monday, April 4, 1949, 4:30 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — 12 nations, including the United States, signed the North Atlantic Treaty today at the Departmental Auditorium in Washington, D.C., by a committee chaired by U.S. diplomat Theodore Achilles. Continue reading 12 nations sign North Atlantic Treaty in Washington 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1949) →

‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’ abruptly cancelled by CBS-TV 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1969)

1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'The Smothers Brothers - Smothered (2002)' (show cancelled at 1:12:07)

(Friday, April 4, 1969) — The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, an American comedy and variety show television series hosted by the Smothers Brothers, was abruptly canceled today by the Columbia Broadcasting System, which cited the Smothers’ failure to meet the contractual pre-air delivery dates required for local affiliate screening. Continue reading ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’ abruptly cancelled by CBS-TV 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1969) →