Monthly Archives: January 2026

Actress Donna Reed, 64, dies in Beverly Hills 40 years ago this hour (Jan 14 1986)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Television 1980s


Video: 'Donna Reed Bio'

(Tuesday, January 14, 1986, 9:15 a.m. PST) — Donna Reed (born Donna Belle Mullenger on January 27, 1921, in Denison, Iowa), the Academy Award-winning actress who starred in more than 40 movies and portrayed the quintessential mother and wife of middle America on television’s Donna Reed Show, died of pancreatic cancer today, at age 64, at her home in Beverly Hills, California. Continue reading Actress Donna Reed, 64, dies in Beverly Hills 40 years ago this hour (Jan 14 1986) →

‘Memories Are Made of This’ by Dean Martin peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Jan 14 1956)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, January 14, 1956) — “Memories Are Made of This” by Dean Martin peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for five consecutive weeks (Jan. 14/21/28, Feb. 4/11, 1956). Continue reading ‘Memories Are Made of This’ by Dean Martin peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (Jan 14 1956) →

It’s down Fifth and up Madison for New York City drivers 60 years ago this hour (Jan 14 1966)

1960s

(Friday, January 14, 1966, 6:00 a.m. EST) — Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue in Manhattan were converted from two-way to one-way streets today to improve traffic flow. Continue reading It’s down Fifth and up Madison for New York City drivers 60 years ago this hour (Jan 14 1966) →

Robert C. Weaver nominated to become first African-American in presidential cabinet 60 years ago this hour (Jan 13 1966)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: '1966 Robert C. Weaver Becomes First African American To Be Appointed to Cabinet' (Jan. 18, 1966)

(Thursday, January 13, 1966, 4:15 p.m. EST; during the Civil rights movement) — Robert C. Weaver was nominated today to become the first African American to serve as a member of the U.S. president’s cabinet by President Lyndon B. Johnson, specifically as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

LBJ asks domestic reform, stands firm on Vietnam in State of the Union address 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'CBS News Special Report: LBJ's State of the Union address IN COLOR (January 12, 1966)'

(Wednesday, January 12, 1966, 9:04 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — In his third State of the Union message, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson pledged soberly tonight to stay in Vietnam “until aggression has stopped” but also promised to continue and expand the Great Society at home. Continue reading LBJ asks domestic reform, stands firm on Vietnam in State of the Union address 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966) →

‘Batman’ series debuts on ABC-TV 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966)

1960s, Television 1960s


Video: '1. HI DIDDLE RIDDLE' (Jan. 12, 1966)

(Wednesday, January 12, 1966, 7:30-8:00 p.m. EST) — Batman, an American live-action television series based on the DC Comics character of the same name (starring Adam West and Burt Ward as the Dynamic Duo, Alan Napier, Neil Hamilton, Stafford Repp and Madge Blake), premiered tonight on ABC-TV, airing twice a week on consecutive nights. Continue reading ‘Batman’ series debuts on ABC-TV 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966) →

‘Tonight She Comes’ by The Cars peaks at #7 in USA 40 years ago today (Jan 11 1986)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, January 11, 1986) — “Tonight She Comes” by The Cars peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Tonight She Comes’ by The Cars peaks at #7 in USA 40 years ago today (Jan 11 1986) →

‘I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock ‘n’ Roll)’ by Nick Lowe peaks at #77 in USA 40 years ago today (Jan 11 1986)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, January 11, 1986) — “I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock ‘n’ Roll)” by Nick Lowe peaked at #77 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘I Knew the Bride (When She Used to Rock ‘n’ Roll)’ by Nick Lowe peaks at #77 in USA 40 years ago today (Jan 11 1986) →

‘The Music Goes ‘Round and Around’ by Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Jan 11 1936)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s

(Saturday, January 11, 1936) — “The Music Goes ‘Round and Around” by Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven (vocal refrain by Edythe Wright, recorded in New York City on December 9, 1935) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for three consecutive weeks (Jan. 11/18/25, 1936). Continue reading ‘The Music Goes ‘Round and Around’ by Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Jan 11 1936) →

Several American mining employees shot execution-style by Pancho Villa loyalists 110 years ago today (Jan 11 1916)

1910s


Video: 'The Life of Pancho Villa' (Jan. 11, 1916, at 2:03)

(Tuesday, January 11, 1916, late morning Mountain Standard Time) — Men loyal to Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa stopped a train at Santa Ysabel today and shot a group of U.S. mining employees execution-style (the reported number of dead varies from 16 to 18).