Daily Archives: January 1, 2025

Watergate jury convicts Mitchell, Haldeman, Ehrlichman and Mardian 50 years ago this hour (Jan 1 1975)


Video: 'KABC-7 Jan-1-1975 News Misc.'

(Wednesday, January 1, 1975, 4:25 p.m. EST; during the Watergate scandal) — Four men who under U.S. President Richard Nixon were among the most powerful officials in the nation—John N. Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman and Robert C. Mardian—were convicted today by a jury in Washington on all counts in the Watergate cover-up trial.

A fifth defendant, Kenneth Parkinson, was acquitted, and Mardian’s conviction for conspiracy was later overturned on appeal.

Music cable channel VH1 debuts 40 years ago this hour (Jan 1 1985)


Video: 'VH1 first hour no music'

(Tuesday, January 1, 1985, 3:00 p.m. EST) — The music cable channel VH1, based in New York City, made its debut today with a video of Marvin Gaye performing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly older demographic than its sister channel, focusing on the lighter, softer side of popular music.