Category Archives: 1940s

‘Open the Door, Richard!’ by Count Basie and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 22 1947)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, February 22, 1947) — “Open the Door, Richard!” by Count Basie and His Orchestra (vocal refrain by Harry Edison and Bill Johnson) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.

Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrates his Polaroid Land camera 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 21 1947)

1940s


'Video: '1950s POLAROID CAMERA COMMERCIAL'

(Friday, February 21, 1947) — Inventor Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrated his Polaroid Land camera today in Cambridge, Massachusetts, using self-developing film to produce a black & white photograph in 60 seconds. Continue reading Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrates his Polaroid Land camera 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 21 1947) →

U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle born 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 4 1947)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: ‘Who is Dan Quayle? Part 1 of 2’

(Tuesday, February 4, 1947) — Dan Quayle, the 44th Vice President of the United States who served under President George H.W. Bush (1989-1993), was born James Danforth Quayle today in Indianapolis, Indiana. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle born 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 4 1947) →

First commercial TV station west of Mississippi River begins operation 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 22 1947)

1940s


Video: 'KTLA Celebrates Its 69th Birthday'

(Wednesday, January 22, 1947, 8:30 p.m. PST) — America’s first commercially licensed television station west of the Mississippi, KTLA-TV in Los Angeles, made its official debut tonight. Continue reading First commercial TV station west of Mississippi River begins operation 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 22 1947) →

President Truman proposes some curbs on unions in State of the Union address 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 6 1947)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '80th Congress Convenes; Truman State of the Union 1947/1/6' (Jan. 6, 1947, at 1:15-3:22)

(Monday, January 6, 1947, 1:00 p.m. EST) — Delivering his State of the Union message in person (the first to be broadcast on television), President Harry Truman today handed the new Republican 80th United States Congress a legislative program topped by recommendations for new labor laws and asked its members to work with him for a new and finer “state of well being” in America (click here to listen to the complete address).

Congressional proceedings televised for the first time this hour 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 3 1947)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '80th Congress Convenes; Truman State of the Union 1947/1/6' (Jan. 3, 1947, at 0:00-1:15)

(Friday, January 3, 1947, 12:30 p.m. EST) — Congressional proceedings were televised for the first time today as viewers in Washington, Philadelphia and New York got to see some of the opening ceremonies of the 80th United States Congress. Continue reading Congressional proceedings televised for the first time this hour 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 3 1947) →

‘The Lost Weekend’ wins Best Motion Picture at 18th Academy Awards 70 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1946)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'Academy Awards 1945'

(Thursday, March 7, 1946, 8:00-9:41 p.m. PST) — The Lost Weekend, a noir drama film about an alcoholic writer, won four Oscars tonight, including Best Motion Picture, Best Director (Billy Wilder) and Best Actor (Ray Milland) at the 18th Academy Awards ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. Continue reading ‘The Lost Weekend’ wins Best Motion Picture at 18th Academy Awards 70 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1946) →

Exhausted FDR arrives in Warm Springs for rest, recuperation 70 years ago today (Mar 30 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'American Experience - FDR (Franklin Roosevelt) - Part 1/2 (PBS Documentary' (Mar. 30, 1945, at 2:08:24)

(Good Friday, March 30, 1945; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt arrived in Warm Springs, Georgia, today suffering from exhaustion.

The great push to end the war was on, and Roosevelt needed to recuperate to lead it and take part in the momentous events afterward. Total rest was his doctor’s recommendation, and for several days he followed the instructions.