Monthly Archives: December 2023

‘A Christmas Carol’ novella by Charles Dickens first published in London 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1843)


Video: '19th December 1843: A Christmas Carol first published'

(Tuesday, December 19, 1843)A Christmas Carol, a novella by English author Charles Dickens, was first published today in London by Chapman & Hall. Continue reading ‘A Christmas Carol’ novella by Charles Dickens first published in London 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1843)

The Beatles record a two-hour BBC radio special for Boxing Day 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1963)


Video: 'The Beatles - From Us To You (BBC, From Us To You #1 - 26 Dec 1963)'

(Wednesday, December 18, 1963, 7:00-10:30 p.m. GMT) — The Beatles recorded a two-hour radio special tonight at the BBC Paris Studio in London, titled From Us To You for broadcast on the BBC Light Programme service on Boxing Day 1963. Continue reading The Beatles record a two-hour BBC radio special for Boxing Day 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1963)

Pop superstar Michael Jackson formally charged with molesting cancer-stricken boy at his Neverland Ranch 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 2003)


Video: 'Michael Jackson - 60 Minutes interview (December 25, 2003)' (interview conducted on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 25, 2003, and aired on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003)

(Thursday, December 18, 2003) — Pop superstar Michael Jackson was formally charged today with molesting a cancer-stricken boy who was invited to the singer’s Neverland Ranch. Continue reading Pop superstar Michael Jackson formally charged with molesting cancer-stricken boy at his Neverland Ranch 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 2003)

‘The Pink Panther,’ first installment in comedy film franchise, released in Italy 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1963)


Video: 'The Pink Panther' (trailer)

(Wednesday, December 18, 1963)The Pink Panther, a comedy film about bumbling French police detective who tries to stop a notorious jewel thief from nabbing a princess’ diamond, was released today in Italy. Continue reading ‘The Pink Panther,’ first installment in comedy film franchise, released in Italy 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1963)

‘Say It Isn’t So’ by Daryl Hall & John Oates peaks at #2 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1983)

(Saturday, December 17, 1983) — “Say It Isn’t So” by Daryl Hall & John Oates peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four consecutive weeks, behind coincidentally “Say Say Say” by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. Continue reading ‘Say It Isn’t So’ by Daryl Hall & John Oates peaks at #2 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1983)

Woody Allen’s ‘Sleeper’ science fiction comedy film opens in U.S. theaters 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1973)


Video: 'Sleeper' trailer

(Monday, December 17, 1973, 12 noon EST)Sleeper, an American science fiction comedy film about the owner of a health food store who is cryogenically frozen in 1973 and defrosted 200 years later in an ineptly-led police state, opened today at Little Carnegie Theatre at 146 W. 57th Street in Manhattan. Continue reading Woody Allen’s ‘Sleeper’ science fiction comedy film opens in U.S. theaters 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1973)

Wright brothers become first humans in history to successfully pilot an engine-powered airplane near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 120 years ago this hour (Dec 17 1903)


Video: 'The Wright brothers first aeroplane flight (1903)'

(Thursday, December 17, 1903, 10:35 a.m. EST)Brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright of Dayton, Ohio, conducted the first successful manned powered-airplane flights today four miles south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, at what is now known as Kill Devil Hills, using their experimental craft, the Wright Flyer. Continue reading Wright brothers become first humans in history to successfully pilot an engine-powered airplane near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina 120 years ago this hour (Dec 17 1903)

The Beatles perform four songs for BBC’s ‘Saturday Club’ radio show 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1963)


Video: 'Brian Bathtubes (Live At The BBC For "Saturday Club" / 21st December, 1963)'

(Tuesday, December 17, 1963, 3:00-6:30 p.m. GMT) — The Beatles performed six songs for the 1963 Christmas edition of the BBC radio show Saturday Club today at the Playhouse Theatre in London, for airing on Dec. 21, 1963, at 10 a.m. Continue reading The Beatles perform four songs for BBC’s ‘Saturday Club’ radio show 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1963)

American colonists dump British tea into Boston Harbor to protest ‘taxation without representation’ 250 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1773)


Video: 'The story behind the Boston Tea Party - Ben Labaree'

(Thursday, December 16, 1773, 7:00-10:00 p.m. local time; during the American Revolution) — The Boston Tea Party, an American political and mercantile protest, took place tonight as members of the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded a British ship and dumped more than 300 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act. Continue reading American colonists dump British tea into Boston Harbor to protest ‘taxation without representation’ 250 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1773)

‘The Most Beautiful Girl’ by Charlie Rich peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1973)

(Saturday, December 15, 1973) — “The Most Beautiful Girl” by Charlie Rich peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks (Dec. 15/22, 1973). Continue reading ‘The Most Beautiful Girl’ by Charlie Rich peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1973)