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Captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers exchanged for Soviet spy in Berlin 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 10 1962)

1960s, Cold War


Video: '10th February 1962: Captured U-2 spy plane pilot Gary Powers freed in a prisoner exchange'

(Saturday, February 10, 1962, 8:52 a.m. Central European Time; during the 1960 U-2 incident, part of the Cold War) — The Soviet Union exchanged captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers in a well publicized spy swap for Soviet KGB Colonel Vilyam Fisher (aka Rudolf Abel), a Soviet colonel who was caught by the FBI and put in jail for espionage, today in Berlin, at the Glienicke Bridge between Wannsee and Potsdam. Continue reading Captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers exchanged for Soviet spy in Berlin 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 10 1962) →

Paul McCartney’s new band Wings launches first tour in Nottingham, England 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 9 1972)

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


Video: 'Paul McCartney & Wings - Live at Nottingham University, United Kingdom (February 9, 1972)'

(Wednesday, February 9, 1972, noon GMT; during the Wings University Tour) — Paul McCartney’s new group Wings performed for the first time today in the Portland Building at The University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England. Continue reading Paul McCartney’s new band Wings launches first tour in Nottingham, England 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 9 1972) →

‘I’m Too Sexy’ by Right Said Fred peaks at #1 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 8 1992)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s

(Saturday, February 8, 1992) — “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred peaked at #1 on today’s on Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three consecutive weeks (Feb. 8/15/22, 1992). Continue reading ‘I’m Too Sexy’ by Right Said Fred peaks at #1 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 8 1992) →

Battle of Singapore begins with Japanese amphibious assault 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 8 1942)

1940s, World War II


Video: '129- German Army Surrounded: You Did Nazi That Coming! - WW2 - February 13, 1942' (Battle of Singapore at 2:34)

(Sunday, February 8, 1942, shortly before 8:30 p.m. MALT; during the Fall of Singapore, part of the Malayan campaign, the Pacific War and the Second World War) — The Fall of Singapore, also known as the Battle of Singapore, began tonight when the first wave of Japanese troops from the 5th Division and 18th Division began crossing the Johor Strait towards the island city-state nicknamed Britain’s “Gibraltar of the East.” Continue reading Battle of Singapore begins with Japanese amphibious assault 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 8 1942) →

Paul McCartney’s band Wings conclude rehearsals for first tour 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 7 1972)

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


Video: 'Paul McCartney & Wings - ICA Rehearsals - London, England (February 2 - 7 1972)'

(Monday, February 7, 1972; two days before the Wings University Tour begins) — Paul McCartney’s new group Wings concluded multiple days of rehearsals for their upcoming college appearances today at the ICA (Institute Of Contemporary Arts) on the Mall in London. Continue reading Paul McCartney’s band Wings conclude rehearsals for first tour 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 7 1972) →

‘A String of Pearls’ by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 7 1942)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, February 7, 1942) — “A String of Pearls” by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for two non-consecutive weeks (Feb. 7/21, 1942). Continue reading ‘A String of Pearls’ by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 7 1942) →

‘Centerfold’ by The J. Geils Band peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1982)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, February 6, 1982) — “Centerfold” by The J. Geils Band peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for six consecutive weeks (February 6/13/20/27, March 6/13, 1982). Continue reading ‘Centerfold’ by The J. Geils Band peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1982) →

‘Turn Your Love Around’ by George Benson peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1982)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, February 6, 1982) — “Turn Your Love Around” by George Benson peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Turn Your Love Around’ by George Benson peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1982) →

‘Cool Night’ by Paul Davis peaks at #11 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1982)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, February 6, 1982) — “Cool Night” by Paul Davis peaked at #11 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Cool Night’ by Paul Davis peaks at #11 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1982) →

Grant takes Fort Henry, Tennessee in first significant Union victory of American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'American Civil War: Battle of Fort Henry - "Grant Invades Tennessee"'

(Thursday, February 6, 1862, shortly after 12:34-1:45 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Fort Henry, part of the American Civil War) — Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant gave the United States its first important victory of the American Civil War today by capturing Fort Henry in Donelson, Stewart County, Tennessee. Continue reading Grant takes Fort Henry, Tennessee in first significant Union victory of American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1862) →