Category Archives: Christmas

‘Another Beatles Christmas Show’ opens at Hammersmith Odeon in London 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1964)

1960s, Christmas, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s

Video: 'The Beatles at Christmas Show, Hammersmith Odeon, Dec 1964'

(Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 1964 6:15 p.m. GMT) — Following the success of “The Beatles’ Christmas Show” in December 1963 and early 1964, manager Brian Epstein decided the group should repeat the trick with “Another Beatles Christmas Show” starting tonight (through Jan. 16, 1965) at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. Continue reading ‘Another Beatles Christmas Show’ opens at Hammersmith Odeon in London 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1964) →

Christmas truces break out on World War I Western Front as British and German soldiers unite 110 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1914)

1910s, Christmas, World War I


Video: 'The Great War episode 2 Stalemate' (Dec. 24, 1914, at 50:10)

(Thursday, December 24, 1914, Christmas Eve; on the Western Front of the First World War) — Impromptu Christmas truces began to take hold along parts of the Western Front today between British and German soldiers who, in some cases, exchanged gifts and even played soccer with each other. Continue reading Christmas truces break out on World War I Western Front as British and German soldiers unite 110 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1914) →

‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ by Band Aid debuts at #65 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1984)

1980s, Christmas, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s

(Saturday, December 22, 1984) — “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid, a supergroup assembled by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure consisting of popular British and Irish musical acts in order to raise money for relief of the 1983–85 famine in Ethiopia, debuted at #65 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Continue reading ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ by Band Aid debuts at #65 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1984) →

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Christmas animated television special debuts on NBC 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1964)

1960s, Christmas, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'Classic Christmas Movies [Compilation] | MEGA CLASSIC CHRISTMAS COMPILATION | Advent Calendar #3' ('Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer' at 25:16)

(Sunday, December 6, 1964, 5:30 p.m. EDT) — Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a Christmas television special about a misfit reindeer and his friends who look for a place that will accept them and produced in stop motion animation by Rankin/Bass, first aired tonight on NBC. Continue reading ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Christmas animated television special debuts on NBC 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1964) →

First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 27 1924)

1920s, Christmas


Video: 'Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 90th Anniversary Special'

(Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 1924, 9:00 a.m. EST) — In a grand celebration marking the start of the holiday season, Macy’s department store hosted its first-ever Thanksgiving Day parade today, captivating over 250,000 spectators along a two-mile stretch of Broadway in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Continue reading First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held in New York City 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 27 1924) →

‘It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way’ by Jim Croce debuts at #77 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1973)

1970s, Christmas, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, December 29, 1973) — “It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way” by Jim Croce debuted at #77 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way’ by Jim Croce debuts at #77 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1973) →

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson ends official mourning period for JFK with candlelight service at Lincoln Memorial 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1963)

1960s, Christmas, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Dec. 22, 1963 | LBJ Leads Candlelight Memorial to JFK'

(Sunday, December 22, 1963, 4:00 p.m. EST) — Thousands of candles burned bright in the gathering dusk of Washington tonight as the nation ended 30-day period of mourning for U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated one month ago today in Dallas, Texas. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson ends official mourning period for JFK with candlelight service at Lincoln Memorial 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1963) →

‘A Christmas Carol’ novella by Charles Dickens first published in London 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1843)

1840s, Christmas


Video: '19th December 1843: A Christmas Carol first published'

(Tuesday, December 19, 1843) — A Christmas Carol, a novella by English author Charles Dickens, was first published today in London by Chapman & Hall. Continue reading ‘A Christmas Carol’ novella by Charles Dickens first published in London 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1843) →