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American U-2 pilot shot down over Cuba by Soviet surface-to-air missile in only combatant fatality of Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 27 1962)


Video: 'Black Saturday, Nuclear War on Autopilot | The Cuban Missile Crisis | Day 12'

(Saturday, October 27, 1962, around noon EDT, day twelve of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. Air Force Maj. Rudolf Anderson Jr. became the first and only combatant fatality of the Cuban Missile Crisis today when his U-2F Dragon Lady (the third CIA U-2A, modified for air-to-air refueling) reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by one of two Soviet-supplied S-75 Dvina (NATO designation SA-2 Guideline) surface-to-air missiles that were fired at his aircraft high over Banes, Cuba. Continue reading American U-2 pilot shot down over Cuba by Soviet surface-to-air missile in only combatant fatality of Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 27 1962)

131 hostages killed as Russian special forces burst into Moscow theater held by Chechen guerrillas 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 26 2002)


Video: 'Facts About Moscow's 2002 Hostage Crisis At The Dubrovka Theater'

(Saturday, October 26, 2002, raid began at 5:20 a.m. Moscow Daylight Time; during the Moscow theater hostage crisis) — A four-day hostage siege by Chechen rebels at the crowded Dubrovka Theater in Moscow ended today with 131 of the 850 captives dead, most from a knockout gas used by Russian special forces who stormed the theater; all 40 rebels also died. Continue reading 131 hostages killed as Russian special forces burst into Moscow theater held by Chechen guerrillas 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 26 2002)

U.S. Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson dares Russian ambassador to deny existence of Soviet-built missile bases in Cuba 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 25 1962)


Video: 'CUBA - ROCKET PHOTO'S SHOWN TO UNITED NATIONS - SOUND'

(Thursday, October 25, 1962, evening EST; day ten of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — In a dramatic confrontation today before the United Nations Security Council in New York City, U.S. Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson II demanded that Soviet Ambassador Valerian Zorin confirm or deny the existence of Soviet-built missile bases in Cuba. Continue reading U.S. Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson dares Russian ambassador to deny existence of Soviet-built missile bases in Cuba 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 25 1962)

The Beatles perform three songs for BBC radio’s ‘Here We Go’ program 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 25 1962)


Video: 'BEATLES EN HERE WE GO OCT 26, 1962'

(Thursday, October 25, 1962, 8:00-8:45 p.m. British Summer Time) — The still largely known British rock music band The Beatles performed three songs tonight at Playhouse Theater in Manchester, England, for tomorrow’s 5:00 p.m. BBC Light Programme Here We Go. Continue reading The Beatles perform three songs for BBC radio’s ‘Here We Go’ program 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 25 1962)

‘Erotica’ by Madonna peaks at #3 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 24 1992)

(Saturday, October 24, 1992) — “Erotica” by Madonna peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘Erotica’ by Madonna peaks at #3 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 24 1992)

‘The Manchurian Candidate’ opens in New York City 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 24 1962)


Video: 'The Manchurian Candidate' trailer

(Wednesday, October 24, 1962; during the Cuban Missile Crisis, part of the Cold War)The Manchurian Candidate, an American neo-noir psychological political thriller film about the son of a prominent, right-wing political family who has been brainwashed as an unwitting assassin for an international communist conspiracy, opened today at the Astor Theatre, 1537 Broadway in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Continue reading ‘The Manchurian Candidate’ opens in New York City 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 24 1962)

U.S. Navy ‘quarantine’ against Soviet ships headed to Cuba goes into effect during Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 24 1962)


Video: 'Killer Submarines Sneaking Through the Blockade | The Cuban Missile Crisis | Day 09'

(Wednesday, October 24, 1962, 10:00 a.m. EDT/7:00 p.m. in Moscow Standard Time; during the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — The U.S. Navy “quarantine” against Soviet ships headed to Cuba as ordered by President John F. Kennedy went into effect this morning. Continue reading U.S. Navy ‘quarantine’ against Soviet ships headed to Cuba goes into effect during Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 24 1962)

‘Jack & Diane’ by John Mellencamp peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1982)

(Saturday, October 23, 1982) — “Jack & Diane” by John Mellencamp, then performing as “John Cougar,” peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘Jack & Diane’ by John Mellencamp peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1982)

‘I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)’ by Michael McDonald peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1982)

(Saturday, October 23, 1982) — “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” by Michael McDonald peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks. Continue reading ‘I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)’ by Michael McDonald peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1982)

‘I Ran (So Far Away)’ by A Flock of Seagulls peaks at #9 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1982)

(Saturday, October 23, 1982) — “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls peaked at #9 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘I Ran (So Far Away)’ by A Flock of Seagulls peaks at #9 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 23 1982)