(Saturday, March 2, 1968) — “Mission-Impossible” by Lalo Schifrin peaked at #41 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Mission-Impossible’ by Lalo Schifrin peaks at #41 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968)
Category Archives: 1960s
‘Valleri’/’Tapioca Tundra’ single by The Monkees released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968)
Video: 'Valleri (2010 Remastered Version)'
(Saturday, March 2, 1968) — “Valleri”/“Tapioca Tundra” by The Monkees, the made-for-television rock group’s seventh single, was released today. Continue reading ‘Valleri’/’Tapioca Tundra’ single by The Monkees released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1968)
Clark Clifford sworn in as defense chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968)
Video: 'The President: March 1968. MP894.' (Mar. 1, 1968, at 1:25)
(Friday, March 1, 1968, 12 noon EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Clark Clifford, a Washington lawyer and adviser to Democratic presidents for two decades, was sworn in today succeed Robert McNamara as the U.S. Secretary of Defense in a White House East Room ceremony with President Lyndon Johnson in attendance. Continue reading Clark Clifford sworn in as defense chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968)
Beatle Ringo Starr departs Rishikesh, India 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968)
Video: 'The Beatles In Ashram, Rishikesh, India (1.03.1968) (Filmed 15.03.1968)'
(Friday, March 1, 1968) — After only ten days, Ringo Starr of The Beatles and his wife Maureen today departed the Chaurasi Kutia ashram, home of the International Academy of Meditation near Rishikesh, India, where the band was studying Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
All four members of The Beatles were filmed this day at Rishikesh (Ringo appears at the beginning of the film) for broadcast on Italy’s TV 7 on Mar. 15, 1968.
The TM course was scheduled through Apr. 27, 1968, but all three of the remaining Beatles would depart Rishikesh before the conclusion (Paul McCartney returned home on Mar. 26, 1968, and John Lennon and George Harrison departed Apr. 11, 1968).

The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ wins ‘Album of the Year’ Grammy 50 years ago #LeapDay (Feb 29 1968)
Video: 'The Beatles - "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (2009 Stereo Remastered) [Full Album]'
(Thursday, February, 29 1968, evening EST) — Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles won four awards tonight at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards in multiple presentations at the New York Hilton Hotel and in Los Angeles, Chicago and Nashville. Continue reading The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ wins ‘Album of the Year’ Grammy 50 years ago #LeapDay (Feb 29 1968)
White racism main cause of riots, says commission 50 years ago #Leapday (Feb 29 1968)
Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 8) Two Societies 1965–1968' (Kerner Commission at 51:49)
(Thursday, February 29, 1968; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — The Kerner Commission, officially known as the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, released its report on riots of the previous summer today and highlighted racial discrimination in the United States as a primary cause with the ominous warning, “Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal.” Continue reading White racism main cause of riots, says commission 50 years ago #Leapday (Feb 29 1968)
LBJ lauds outgoing defense chief McNamara 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968)
Video: 'The President: February 1968. MP893.' (Feb. 28, 1968, at 22:57)
(Wednesday, February 28, 1968, 1:20 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson gave the Medal of Freedom today to his departing Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, and praised him as a “brilliant and good man.” Continue reading LBJ lauds outgoing defense chief McNamara 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968)
The Doors record ‘Wintertime Love’ in Hollywood 50 years ago #OTD #OnThisDay (Feb 28 1968)
Video: 'Wintertime Love'
(Wednesday, February 28, 1968) — The Doors recorded “Wintertime Love” today at TTG Studios in Hollywood, California, for the American rock band’s third studio album Waiting for the Sun.

‘Soul on Ice’ by Eldridge Cleaver published 50 years ago #OTD #OnThisDay (Feb 28 1968)
Video: 'Eldridge Cleaver: Soul on Ice' (9 videos)
(Wednesday, February 28, 1968) — Soul On Ice, a memoir and collection of essays by Eldridge Cleaver that changed the way America looked at the civil rights movement and the black experience, was published today. Continue reading ‘Soul on Ice’ by Eldridge Cleaver published 50 years ago #OTD #OnThisDay (Feb 28 1968)
U.S. military seeks another 206,000 troops in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968)
Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Tet [6/11]' (Wheeler-Westmoreland proposal at 31:33)
(Wednesday, February 28, 1968, 8:35-11:15 a.m. EST; during the Tet Offensive, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. General Earle Wheeler, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, just back from Vietnam, told President Lyndon Johnson today at the White House that General William Westmoreland, commanding U.S. forces in Vietnam, will need an additional 206,000 soldiers “for a proposed ceiling of 731,756.” Continue reading U.S. military seeks another 206,000 troops in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968)
