Category Archives: Christmas

Roosevelt, Churchill voice faith to war-weary world on Christmas Eve 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1941)

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


Video: 'Churchill And Roosevelt Christmas Speech (1941)'

(Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 1941, 5:02 p.m EST; during the Arcadia Conference and World War II) — Speaking from the high south portico of the White House, in the twinkling lights of the community Christmas tree on the lawn below them, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill this evening called on the people of their two nations to rededicate themselves in a righteous cause and to “arm their hearts’ for labor, suffering and for the ultimate victory ahead. Continue reading Roosevelt, Churchill voice faith to war-weary world on Christmas Eve 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1941) →

John Lennon’s ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ released in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1971)

1970s, Christmas, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER). (Ultimate Mix, 2020) John & Yoko Plastic Ono Band + Harlem Community Choir'

(Monday, December 6, 1971) — “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir was released today as a single in the U.S. (it would not be released a single in the UK until Nov. 24, 1972). Continue reading John Lennon’s ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ released in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1971) →

John Lennon, Yoko Ono complete recording ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1971)

1970s, Christmas, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s, Vietnam War


Video: 'HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER). (Ultimate Mix, 2020) John & Yoko Plastic Ono Band + Harlem Community Choir'

(Sunday, October 31, 1971, afternoon/evening EST; during the Vietnam War) — Former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, completed recording “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” tonight at Record Plant East in New York City, with overdubs by the Harlem Community Choir – featuring thirty children, most of them four to twelve years of age – in the afternoon and strings in the evening. Continue reading John Lennon, Yoko Ono complete recording ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 31 1971) →

John Lennon, Yoko Ono begin recording ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 28 1971)

1970s, Christmas, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'HAPPY XMAS (War Is Over) (New Alt Acoustic Mix 2018) JOHN & YOKO, Plastic Ono Band (music video HD)'

(Thursday, October 28, 1971, evening EDT) — Former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, recorded seven takes of “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” tonight in Studio A at Record Plant in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon, Yoko Ono begin recording ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 28 1971) →

The Beatles send ‘From Then to You’ Christmas compilation album to UK fans 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1970)

1970s, Christmas, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'Beatles Christmas Messages' (first 7 videos constitute original album)

(Friday, December 18, 1970) — From Then to You, a compilation LP of all seven of the annual The Beatles’ Christmas records (spoken and musical messages recorded 1963-1969), was sent out today to the group’s fan club in the UK (in the U.S., the album sent out by the fan club as The Beatles’ Christmas Album around springtime 1971).
Continue reading The Beatles send ‘From Then to You’ Christmas compilation album to UK fans 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1970) →

‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee debuts at #64 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 12 1960)

1960s, Christmas, Popular Music 1960s

(Monday, December 12, 1960) — “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee debuted at #64 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Continue reading ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ by Brenda Lee debuts at #64 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 12 1960) →

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ by Gene Autry peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 7 1950)

1950s, Christmas, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, January 7, 1950) — “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Gene Autry and The Pinafores with Orchestral Accompaniment peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week (Jan. 7, 1950, based on reports received last three days of week ending Dec. 30, 1949). Continue reading ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ by Gene Autry peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 7 1950) →

‘The Beatles’ Seventh Christmas Record: Happy Christmas 1969′ released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1969)

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


Video: 'Beatles Christmas 1969 - The Beatles' Seventh Christmas Record'

(Friday, December 19, 1969) — The Beatles’ Seventh Christmas Record: Happy Christmas 1969, the band’s seventh and final Christmas record, was released today to members of their fan club in the UK. Continue reading ‘The Beatles’ Seventh Christmas Record: Happy Christmas 1969′ released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1969) →

‘Frosty the Snowman’ animated Christmas TV special debuts on CBS 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1969)

1960s, Christmas, Television 1960s


Video: 'Frosty The Snowman (1969) Full movie'

(Sunday, December 7, 1969, 7:30 p.m. EST) — Frosty the Snowman, an animated Christmas television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, first aired tonight on CBS. Continue reading ‘Frosty the Snowman’ animated Christmas TV special debuts on CBS 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1969) →

McCartney releases ‘Wonderful Christmastime,’ films music video 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 16 1979)

1970s, Christmas, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime [HD] [Remastered]'

(Friday, November 16, 1979) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his band Wings filmed a promotional music video today for McCartney’s first solo single since 1971 “Wonderful Christmastime” at the Fountain Inn in Ashurst, West Sussex, England. Continue reading McCartney releases ‘Wonderful Christmastime,’ films music video 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 16 1979) →