(Saturday, January 11, 1975) — “Ding Dong, Ding Dong” by ex-Beatle George Harrison debuted at #81 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the second single pulled from his Dark Horse studio album. Continue reading ‘Ding Dong, Ding Dong’ by George Harrison debuts at #81 in USA 50 years ago today (Jan 11 1975)
Category Archives: 1970s
Ella T. Grasso becomes first woman governor of a U.S. state elected ‘in her own right’ 50 years ago this hour (Jan 8 1975)

(Wednesday, January 8, 1975, 2:23 p.m. EST) — Ella T. Grasso today became Governor of Connecticut, the first woman to serve as a Governor in the United States other than by succeeding her husband.
Judge Sirica orders early release of three Watergate figures 50 years ago today (Jan 8 1975)
(Wednesday, January 8, 1975; during the Watergate scandal) — Judge John J. Sirica ordered three major Watergate figures freed today, and reduced the sentences of the three — John W. Dean 3d, Herbert W. Kalmbach and Jeb Stuart Magrude — to the time they had already served.
Saigon’s forces lose Phuoc Long 50 years ago this hour (Jan 7 1975)
Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Battle of Phuoc Long at 22:31)
(Tuesday, January 7, 1975, 9:30 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Battle of Phuoc Long, part of Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — After a week-long siege, North Vietnamese forces today overran and captured Phuoc Binh, the encircled capital of Phuoc Long Province. Continue reading Saigon’s forces lose Phuoc Long 50 years ago this hour (Jan 7 1975)
Original version of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ premieres 50 years ago this hour (Jan 6 1975)
Video: 'NBC Wheel of Fortune Promo 1975'
(Monday, January 6, 1975, 10:30 a.m. EST) — The original version of Wheel of Fortune, an American television game show created by Merv Griffin and hosted by Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford, premiered today on NBC-TV. Continue reading Original version of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ premieres 50 years ago this hour (Jan 6 1975)
‘The Wiz’ musical opens on Broadway at Majestic Theatre in New York City 50 years ago this hour (Jan 5 1975)
Video: 'The Wiz Original Cast Album' (17 video playlist)
(Sunday, January 5, 1975, 6:30 p.m. EST) — The Wiz, a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls (and others) and book by William F. Brown featuring an all-black cast, opened tonight on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre at 245 West 44th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, with Geoffrey Holder as director and starring Stephanie Mills as Dorothy. Continue reading ‘The Wiz’ musical opens on Broadway at Majestic Theatre in New York City 50 years ago this hour (Jan 5 1975)
‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by Elton John peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (Jan 4 1975)
(Saturday, January 4, 1975) — “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by Elton John (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles and featuring backing vocals and guitar by Lennon) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (Jan. 4/11, 1975). Continue reading ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by Elton John peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (Jan 4 1975)
‘You’re the First, the Last, My Everything’ by Barry White peaks at #2 in USA 50 years ago today (Jan 4 1975)
(Saturday, January 4, 1975) — “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” by Barry White peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘You’re the First, the Last, My Everything’ by Barry White peaks at #2 in USA 50 years ago today (Jan 4 1975)
Original ‘Jeopardy!’ ends 11-year run on NBC 50 years ago this hour (Jan 3 1975)
Watergate jury convicts Mitchell, Haldeman, Ehrlichman and Mardian 50 years ago this hour (Jan 1 1975)
Video: 'KABC-7 Jan-1-1975 News Misc.'
(Wednesday, January 1, 1975, 4:25 p.m. EST; during the Watergate scandal) — Four men who under U.S. President Richard Nixon were among the most powerful officials in the nation—John N. Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman, John D. Ehrlichman and Robert C. Mardian—were convicted today by a jury in Washington on all counts in the Watergate cover-up trial.
A fifth defendant, Kenneth Parkinson, was acquitted, and Mardian’s conviction for conspiracy was later overturned on appeal.

