Video: 'Reflections on Clyde Tombaugh'
(Tuesday, February 18, 1930) — Dwarf planet Pluto was discovered today by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Continue reading Dwarf planet Pluto discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh 90 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 18 1930)
Video: ''Gone With the Wind' trailer
(Friday, December 15, 1939, 8:30 p.m. EST) — Gone with the Wind, an American epic historical romance film about Scarlett O’Hara’s battle to save her beloved Tara and find love during the American Civil War, premiered tonight at the Loew’s Grand Theatre at the corner of Peachtree and Forsyth Streets in downtown Atlanta. Continue reading ‘Gone with the Wind’ premiere sparks racial tension in Atlanta 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 1939)
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Dec. 13, 1939, at 23:18)
(Wednesday, December 13, 1939, 6:18 a.m. local time; during the Battle of the River Plate, part of the American Theatre of World War II) — The German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee was critically damaged in a battle with the British warships Exeter, Ajax and Achilles today off the River Plate estuary in Argentina and Uruguay. Continue reading British defeat Germans in first naval battle of World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 13 1939)
(Saturday, December 2, 1939) — “Scatter-Brain” by Frankie Masters and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for six non-consecutive weeks (Dec. 2/16/30, 1939, Jan. 6/13/20, 1940). Continue reading ‘Scatter-Brain’ by Frankie Masters peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 2 1939)
Video: 'Soviets invade Finland'
(Thursday, November 30, 1939, 6:50 a.m. Eastern European Time; during the Winter War, part of World War II) — The Winter War began this morning as Soviet troops crossed the border on the Karelian Isthmus after a half-hour artillery bombardment. Continue reading Winter War begins as Soviets invade Finland 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1939)
(Saturday, November 11, 1939) — “South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)” by Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm (Hal Derwin, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for five non-consecutive weeks (Nov. 11/18/25, Dec. 9/23, 1939). Continue reading ‘South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)’ by Shep Fields peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 11 1939)
(Saturday, November 4, 1939) — “Blue Orchids” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Blue Orchids’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1939)
(Saturday, October 21, 1939) — “Day In, Day Out” by Bob Crosby And His Orchestra (Helen Ward, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Day In, Day Out’ by Bob Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 21 1939)
Video: 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' trailer
(Tuesday, October 17, 1939, evening EDT) — Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, an American political comedy-drama film about a newly appointed United States Senator who fights against a corrupt political system, premiered tonight at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Continue reading ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ premieres in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1939)
Video: 'the sinking of the royal oak-2009'
(Saturday, October 14, 1939, 1:04 a.m. British Summer Time; during World War II) — German submarine U-47 today torpedoed and sank the HMS Royal Oak, a British battleship anchored at Scapa Flow in Scotland’s Orkney Islands; 833 of the more than 1,200 men aboard were killed, including Rear Admiral Henry Blagrove. Continue reading 833 men killed as German U-boat sinks HMS Royal Oak at Scapa Flow 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1939)
