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Shuttle Columbia takes off for high-wire act 30 years ago this hour (Feb 22 1996)


Video: 'STS-75 launch & landing (2-22-96)'

(Thursday, February 22, 1996, 3:18 p.m. EST/20:18:00 UTC) — The space shuttle Columbia blasted into orbit today on a mission to unreel a satellite on the end of a 12.8-mile tether. (The cord broke just before being extended to its full length.)

‘Life in a Northern Town’ by The Dream Academy peaks at #7 in USA 40 years ago today (Feb 22 1986)

(Saturday, February 22, 1986) — “Life in a Northern Town” by The Dream Academy peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Life in a Northern Town’ by The Dream Academy peaks at #7 in USA 40 years ago today (Feb 22 1986)

Florence Ballard, original member of The Supremes, dies 50 years ago this hour (Feb 22 1976)


Video: 'The life story of Florence Ballard (unsung)??(My Grandmother)'

(Sunday, February 22, 1976, 10:05 a.m. EST)Florence Ballard, who attained stardom as one of the original members of The Supremes singing trio but spent the last few years living on welfare, died today at Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit of cardiac arrest. She was 32 years old. Continue reading Florence Ballard, original member of The Supremes, dies 50 years ago this hour (Feb 22 1976)

‘Nowhere Man’/’What Goes On’ single by The Beatles released in USA 60 years ago today (Feb 21 1966)


Video: 'Nowhere Man (2023 Mix)'

(Monday, February 21, 1966) — The single “Nowhere Man“/”What Goes On” by The Beatles was released today in the U.S. (although not in the UK). Continue reading ‘Nowhere Man’/’What Goes On’ single by The Beatles released in USA 60 years ago today (Feb 21 1966)

Germany unleashes titanic assault at Verdun as France faces battle for its life 110 years ago this hour (Feb 21 1916)


Video: 'The Battle of Verdun (WW1 Documentary)'

(Sunday, February 21, 1916, 7:12 a.m. Central European Time; during the Battle of Verdun, part of the Western Front of World War I) — The Battle of Verdun, one of the largest battles of the First World War on the Western Front between the German and French armies, began this morning when a 10-hour German artillery bombardment by 808 guns was launched in the hills north of Verdun-sur-Meuse in northeastern France. Continue reading Germany unleashes titanic assault at Verdun as France faces battle for its life 110 years ago this hour (Feb 21 1916)

The Supremes perform ‘My World is Empty Without You’ on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (Feb 20 1966)


Video: 'The Supremes "My World Is Empty Without You" on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, February 20, 1966, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) — The Supremes performed “My World is Empty Without You” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading The Supremes perform ‘My World is Empty Without You’ on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 60 years ago this hour (Feb 20 1966)

Rossini’s opera ‘The Barber of Seville’ premieres in Rome 210 years ago today (Feb 20 1816)


Video: 'The Barber of Seville'

(Tuesday, February 20, 1816) — The opera buffa The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini premiered today at the Teatro Argentina in Rome under its original title, “Almaviva, or the Useless Precaution.” Continue reading Rossini’s opera ‘The Barber of Seville’ premieres in Rome 210 years ago today (Feb 20 1816)

‘Time Heals’ episode airs on ‘St. Elsewhere’ 40 years ago this hour (Feb 19 1986)

Video: 'St. Elsewhere S4e017 Time Heals Part 1'

(Wednesday, February 19, 1986, 10:00 p.m. EST) — St. Eligius’ 50th anniversary spurs memories, including its opening in 1935 under the leadership of Father Joseph McCabe, on part one of a two-part episode of the NBC-TV medical drama series St. Elsewhere. Continue reading ‘Time Heals’ episode airs on ‘St. Elsewhere’ 40 years ago this hour (Feb 19 1986)

Russians launch space station Mir 40 years ago this hour (Feb 20 1986)


Video: 'Mir Space Station Launch 1986'

(Thursday, February 20, 1986, 12:28:23 a.m. MSK) — The Soviet Union today sent up the core module of space station Mir (Peace), which would serve as a permanently manned base for the next generation in space.

Mir stayed in orbit until 2001, when it was brought down in a controlled descent, breaking up in the atmosphere.