Monthly Archives: April 2025

Soviet tanks reach the outskirts of Berlin 80 years ago today (Apr 21 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 21-Nemesis:Germany(February-May 1945)' (Apr. 21, 1945, at 28:15)

(Saturday, April 21, 1945; during the Battle of Berlin on the Eastern Front during World War II) — Soviet tanks thundered into the northeastern suburbs of Berlin today, breaching the Nazi capital’s final outer defenses in a meticulously planned offensive aimed at delivering the death blow to Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. Continue reading Soviet tanks reach the outskirts of Berlin 80 years ago today (Apr 21 1945) →

‘Soon’ by Bing Crosby with Georgie Stoll and His Orchestra tops debut ‘Your Hit Parade’ weekly music chart 90 years ago this hour (Apr 20 1935)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s

(Saturday, April 20, 1935, 8:00 p.m. EST) — “Soon” by Bing Crosby With Georgie Stoll and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s debut Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Soon’ by Bing Crosby with Georgie Stoll and His Orchestra tops debut ‘Your Hit Parade’ weekly music chart 90 years ago this hour (Apr 20 1935) →

Allied forces take control of Nuremberg, Germany 80 years ago tonight (Apr 20 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'April 20th, 1945 in Nuremberg'

(Friday, April 20, 1945, evening CEST; during the Battle of Nuremberg (1945), part of the Western Allied invasion of Germany during World War II) — The United States Seventh Army tonight – coincidentally on Hitler’s 56th birthday – captured the center of Nuremberg, Germany, the second largest city of Bavaria and the high shrine of the Nazi party, capturing the outskirts of Erlenstegen and Buch.

Hitler briefly emerges from Berlin bunker on his 56th birthday 80 years ago this hour (Apr 20 1945)

1940s, World War II


Image: 'Video: Adolf Hitler: The Last Days of the Dictator | Documentary' (Apr. 20, 1945, at 13:54; note: last known moving pictures of Hitler were captured on Mar. 20, 1945)

(Friday, April 20, 1945, approximately 3:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Battle of Berlin on the Eastern Front during World War II) — As the Red Army’s tanks pressed into the outskirts of Berlin and a mournful air raid siren echoed through the battered city at dawn, Germany’s Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler marked his 56th birthday today in the gloom of his underground Führerbunker, facing the collapse of his regime and the encirclement of the capital. Continue reading Hitler briefly emerges from Berlin bunker on his 56th birthday 80 years ago this hour (Apr 20 1945) →

Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ‘Carousel’ opens on Broadway 80 years ago this hour (Apr 19 1945)

1940s, Broadway


Video: '"If I Loved You" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel (stage version)'

(Thursday, April 19, 1945, 8:15 p.m. EWT) — Carousel the second musical by the team of Richard Rodgers (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (book and lyrics) about a carousel barker whose romance with a millworker comes at the price of both their jobs, opened tonight on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre.

‘Bride of Frankenstein’ premieres in San Francisco 90 years ago this hour (Apr 19 1935)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'Bride of Frankenstein' (trailer)

(Good Friday, April 19, 1935, 3:00 p.m. PST) — Bride of Frankenstein, a horror film about Baron Frankenstein who is forced to tempt fate once again by creating a suitable mate for his monster, premiered today in San Francisco. Continue reading ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ premieres in San Francisco 90 years ago this hour (Apr 19 1935) →

‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ studio album by John Lennon peaks at #6 in USA 50 years ago today (Apr 19 1975)

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


Video: 'John Lennon - Rock 'N' Roll (Full Album)' (13 tracks)

(Saturday, April 19, 1975) — Rock ‘n’ Roll, the sixth studio album by ex-Beatle John Lennon featuring covers of late 1950s and early 1960s songs, peaked at #6 on today’s Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart for one week.

White House funeral for President Abraham Lincoln held 160 years ago this hour (Apr 19 1865)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Funeral March for Abraham Lincoln J.G. Barnard 1865'

(Wednesday, April 19, 1865, 12:10 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — A funeral was held today at the White House for President Abraham Lincoln, assassinated five days earlier; his coffin was then transported in a procession down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol Rotunda, where a ceremonial burial service was held.