Monthly Archives: December 2024

‘Another Beatles Christmas Show’ opens at Hammersmith Odeon in London 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1964)

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

Video: 'The Beatles at Christmas Show, Hammersmith Odeon, Dec 1964'

(Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 1964 6:15 p.m. GMT) — Following the success of “The Beatles’ Christmas Show” in December 1963 and early 1964, manager Brian Epstein decided the group should repeat the trick with “Another Beatles Christmas Show” starting tonight (through Jan. 16, 1965) at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. Continue reading ‘Another Beatles Christmas Show’ opens at Hammersmith Odeon in London 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1964) →

Christmas truces break out on World War I Western Front as British and German soldiers unite 110 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1914)

1910s, Christmas, World War I


Video: 'The Great War episode 2 Stalemate' (Dec. 24, 1914, at 50:10)

(Thursday, December 24, 1914, Christmas Eve; on the Western Front of the First World War) — Impromptu Christmas truces began to take hold along parts of the Western Front today between British and German soldiers who, in some cases, exchanged gifts and even played soccer with each other. Continue reading Christmas truces break out on World War I Western Front as British and German soldiers unite 110 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1914) →

‘Don’t Fence Me In’ by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 23 1944)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, December 23, 1944) — “Don’t Fence Me In” by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen And His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for eight consecutive weeks (Dec. 23/30, 1944, Jan. 6/13/20/27, Feb. 3, 1945). Continue reading ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 23 1944) →

‘Like a Virgin’ by Madonna peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1984)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, December 22, 1984) — “Like a Virgin” by Madonna peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for six consecutive weeks (Dec. 22/29, Jan. 5/12/19/26, 1985). Continue reading ‘Like a Virgin’ by Madonna peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1984) →

‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ by Band Aid debuts at #65 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1984)

1980s, Christmas, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s

(Saturday, December 22, 1984) — “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid, a supergroup assembled by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure consisting of popular British and Irish musical acts in order to raise money for relief of the 1983–85 famine in Ethiopia, debuted at #65 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Continue reading ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ by Band Aid debuts at #65 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1984) →

‘NUTS!’ U.S. Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe defies German surrender demand with iconic reply in World War II Battle of the Bulge 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Telling the German Command to go to Hell! WWII: Hero’s'

(Friday, December 22, 1944, 11:30 a.m. local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — U.S. Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe today rejected a German demand for surrender, writing “Nuts!” in his official reply. Continue reading ‘NUTS!’ U.S. Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe defies German surrender demand with iconic reply in World War II Battle of the Bulge 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1944) →

‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ by Harry Chapin peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, December 21, 1974) — “Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ by Harry Chapin peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1974) →

‘Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)’ by Al Green peaks at #7 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, December 21, 1974) — “Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)” by Al Green peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Sha-La-La (Make Me Happy)’ by Al Green peaks at #7 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1974) →

‘Mine for Me’ by Rod Stewart peaks at #91 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1974)

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

(Saturday, December 21, 1974) — “Mine for Me” by Rod Stewart (written by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney) peaked at #91 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Mine for Me’ by Rod Stewart peaks at #91 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1974) →