Category Archives: 1930s

Massive San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge officially opens 90 years ago this hour (Nov 12 1936)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '1936 Bay Bridge Newsreel Film'

(Thursday, November 12, 1936, 12:30 p.m. PST) — The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, a complex of bridges spanning 4.46 miles over the San Francisco Bay in California carrying about 240,000 vehicles a day on its two decks, opened today as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key in Washington, D.C., giving the green light to traffic. Continue reading Massive San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge officially opens 90 years ago this hour (Nov 12 1936) →

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt re-elected, buries Alf Landon in landslide 90 years ago today (Nov 3 1936)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Election Night 1936: Franklin D. Roosevelt vs. Alf Landon | Full News Coverage'

(Tuesday, November 3, 1936, during the 1936 presidential campaign) — Democratic incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York was re-elected today over Republican Governor Alf Landon of Kansas with the largest percentage of the popular vote in U.S. to this date. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt re-elected, buries Alf Landon in landslide 90 years ago today (Nov 3 1936) →

BBC Television Service officially begins regular broadcasts 90 years ago this hour (Nov 2 1936)

1930s, Television


Video: '2nd November 1936: BBC Television Service launched in the UK'

(Monday, November 2, 1936, 3:00 p.m. GMT) — The British Broadcasting Corporation inaugurated “high-definition” television service today from a converted wing of the Alexandra Palace in London. Continue reading BBC Television Service officially begins regular broadcasts 90 years ago this hour (Nov 2 1936) →

‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Fred Astaire peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Oct 24 1936)

1930s, movies 1930s, Popular Music 1930s

(Saturday, October 24, 1936) — “The Way You Look Tonight” by Fred Astaire with Johnny Green and His Orchestra (recorded in Los Angeles July 28, 1936; from the soundtrack of the film Swing Time) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for six consecutive weeks (Oct. 24/31, Nov. 7/14/21/28, 1936). Continue reading ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ by Fred Astaire peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Oct 24 1936) →

‘When Did You Leave Heaven’ by Guy Lombardo peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Oct 10 1936)

1930s, movies 1930s, Popular Music 1930s

(Saturday, October 10, 1936) — “When Did You Leave Heaven” by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (vocal by Carmen Lombardo; recorded in Chicago on July 2, 1936, and from the soundtrack of the film Sing, Baby, Sing) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for two consecutive weeks (Oct. 10/17, 1936). Continue reading ‘When Did You Leave Heaven’ by Guy Lombardo peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Oct 10 1936) →

‘My Man Godfrey’ screwball comedy film premieres in Hollywood 90 years ago this hour (Sep 8 1936)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'My Man Godfrey' trailer

(Tuesday, September 8, 1936, 8:30 p.m. PDT) — My Man Godfrey, a screwball comedy film about a zany heiress who tries to help a tramp by making him the family butler, premiered tonight at Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, near Hollywood and Vine, in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘My Man Godfrey’ screwball comedy film premieres in Hollywood 90 years ago this hour (Sep 8 1936) →

Rock music legend Buddy Holly born in Lubbock, Texas 90 years ago today (Sep 7 1936)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s


Video: 'The Real Buddy Holly Story (1987)'

(Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 1936; during the Great Depression) — American singer, songwriter, and musician Buddy Holly, who was a central and pioneering figure of rock and roll, was born Charles Hardin Holley to a musical family today in Lubbock, Texas. Continue reading Rock music legend Buddy Holly born in Lubbock, Texas 90 years ago today (Sep 7 1936) →

‘Did I Remember’ by Shep Fields peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Aug 29 1936)

1930s, Popular Music 1930s

(Saturday, August 29, 1936) — “Did I Remember” by Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra (vocal by Charles Chester; recorded in New York City on July 3, 1936) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for six consecutive weeks (Aug. 29, Sept. 5/12/19/26, Oct. 3, 1936). Continue reading ‘Did I Remember’ by Shep Fields peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Aug 29 1936) →

‘Swing Time’ musical comedy film opens in New York City 90 years ago this hour (Aug 27 1936)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'Swing Time' trailer

(Thursday, August 27, 1936, 10:05 a.m. EDT) — Swing Time, a musical comedy film about a dancer who tries to make it big to prove himself worthy of his fiancee only to fall for his dancing partner, opened this morning at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Swing Time’ musical comedy film opens in New York City 90 years ago this hour (Aug 27 1936) →

Joseph Kennedy endorses FDR policies in new book 90 years ago today (Aug 21 1936)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '"American Experience" THE KENNEDYS: Part 1, The Father, (1900-1961)' (Aug. 21, 1936, at 23:16)

(Friday, August 21, 1936) — Former SEC Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy released a new book today making a direct pitch to the business community: support the New Deal and re-elect President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Continue reading Joseph Kennedy endorses FDR policies in new book 90 years ago today (Aug 21 1936) →