Monthly Archives: October 2021

John Lennon, Yoko Ono complete recording ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1971)

1970s, Christmas, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s, Vietnam War


Video: 'HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER). (Ultimate Mix, 2020) John & Yoko Plastic Ono Band + Harlem Community Choir'

(Sunday, October 31, 1971, afternoon/evening EST; during the Vietnam War) — Former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, completed recording “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” tonight at Record Plant East in New York City, with overdubs by the Harlem Community Choir – featuring thirty children, most of them four to twelve years of age – in the afternoon and strings in the evening. Continue reading John Lennon, Yoko Ono complete recording ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1971) →

Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota completed 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1941)

1940s


Video: 'The Making of Mount Rushmore'

(Friday, October 31, 1941) — Work was completed today on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a colossal sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills near Keystone, South Dakota. Continue reading Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota completed 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1941) →

100 Americans killed as Germans torpedo USS Reuben James in North Atlantic 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1941)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World at War: On Our Way: U.S.A. - 1939-1942 (7 of 26)' (Oct. 31, 1941, at 15:00)'

(Friday, October 31, 1941, about 5:34 a.m. local time; 37 days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor) — While escorting Allied convoy HX 156 in the North Atlantic, the American destroyer USS Reuben James was sunk by the German submarine U-552 commanded by Kapitänleutnant Erich Topp this morning in the North Atlantic near Iceland, with the loss of 100 of 144 crew. Continue reading 100 Americans killed as Germans torpedo USS Reuben James in North Atlantic 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1941) →

John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ album peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 30 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'John Lennon - Imagine (The Ultimate Collection)' (first 10 videos constitute original album)

(Saturday, October 30, 1971) — Imagine, the second studio album by former Beatle John Lennon, peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Top LP’s chart for one week. Continue reading John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ album peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 30 1971) →

‘Thin Line Between Love and Hate’ by The Persuaders peaks at #15 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 30 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, October 30, 1971) — “Thin Line Between Love and Hate” by The Persuaders peaked at #15 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Thin Line Between Love and Hate’ by The Persuaders peaks at #15 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 30 1971) →

U.S. President McKinley’s assassin executed by electric chair 120 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 29 1901)

1900s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Execution of Leon Czolgosz, assassin of McKinley, reenactment for Edison Film Company 1901'

(Monday, October 29, 1901, 7:14 a.m. local time; during the Assassination of William McKinley) — Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist who assassinated U.S. President William McKinley in Buffalo, New York, 45 days ago, was executed this morning by three jolts, each of 1800 volts, at Auburn Prison in Auburn, New York. Continue reading U.S. President McKinley’s assassin executed by electric chair 120 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 29 1901) →