Category Archives: 1960s

Kennedy family filmed relaxing at Camp David 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'Camp David (Caroline with Macaroni), Sunday, 31 March 1963'

(Sunday, March 31 1963) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy was filmed today at Camp David, relaxing with his family: First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Undersecretary of the Navy Paul “Red” Fay. Caroline rides her pony “Macaroni.”

‘The Birds’ opens in New York City 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'The Birds Official Trailer #1 - Charles McGraw Movie (1963) HD'

(Thursday, March 28, 1963)The Birds, a suspense/horror film about a wealthy San Francisco socialite who pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people, opened today in New York City.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film stars Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette and Tippi Hedren.

JFK tells Costa Rican students Cuba example of failure of communism 50 years ago today (1963)


Video: 'Kennedy Visits Costa Rica - clip 18656'

(Wednesday, March 20, 1963; during the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy, winding up his three-day solidarity meeting presidents of six Central American republics, told an enthusiastic crowd of 10,000 at the University of Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica, today that Cuba is an example of communism’s failure to provide for its people.

‘Survival’ episode airs on ‘Combat!’ 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'COMBAT! s.1 ep.23: "Survival" (1963)' (Mar. 12, 1963)

(Tuesday, March 12, 1963, 7:30 p.m. EST) — Lt. Hanley and the squad escape capture during an artillery barrage, but Sgt. Saunders is unknowingly left behind in the fiery chaos on tonight’s episode of the ABC-TV war drama series Combat!.

In 1997, the episode was ranked #74 on TV Guide‘s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.

Two LAPD officers taken to onion field in Bakersfield, one killed 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'The onion field (1979). Crime scene'

(Wednesday, March 9, 1963, after 10 p.m. local time) — Two Los Angeles police officers, Ian Campbell and Karl Hettinger, were disarmed and abducted by ex-convicts Gregory Powell and Jimmy Lee Smith during a traffic stop today in Hollywood. The officers were taken to an onion field near Bakersfield, California, where Campbell was shot to death while Hettinger managed to escape. Powell and Smith were sent to prison; the case was detailed in the book “The Onion Field” by Joseph Wambaugh.

Nixon plays piano on ‘The Jack Paar Program’ 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'Richard Nixon plays his Piano Concerto #1'

(Friday, March 8, 1963, 10 p.m. EST) — Former Vice President Richard Nixon appeared on tonight’s edition of The Jack Paar Program, performing one of his musical compositions on the piano.

The Beach Boys complete recording of ‘Surfin USA’ album 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'Finders Keepers - The Beach Boys (HQ) 1962'

(Tuesday, February 12, 1963, 10:00 p.m.-Wednesday, February 13, 1:00 a.m. PST) — The Beach Boys completed recording for their second album Surfin’ USA tonight at Capital studio in Hollywood, California, including instrumentation and vocals for “Finders Keepers,” “Surf Jam” and “Stoked.” Continue reading The Beach Boys complete recording of ‘Surfin USA’ album 50 years ago this hour (1963)

The Beach Boys complete six tracks 50 years ago this hour (1963)


Video: 'The Beach Boys - Let's go Trippin''

(Monday, February 11, 1963, 11:00 p.m.-Tuesday, February 12, 2:00 a.m. PST) — The Beach Boys tonight completed six recordings for the group’s second album Surfin’ USA at Capital studio in Hollywood, California, including backing tracks and vocals for “Let’s Go Trippin,'” “Honky Tonk,” “Noble Surfer” and “Misirlou,” and vocals for “Farmer’s Daughter” and “Lana.” Continue reading The Beach Boys complete six tracks 50 years ago this hour (1963)