119 killed in deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1946)


Video: 'Winecoff Hotel Fire'

(Saturday, December 7, 1946, 3:15 a.m. local time) — The 15-story Winecoff Hotel on Peachtree Street in the heart of downtown Atlanta was destroyed early this morning killing 119 people, including hotel founder W. Frank Winecoff, in the deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history. Continue reading 119 killed in deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1946)

‘Jerry Maguire’ premieres in New York City 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1996)


Video: 'Jerry Maguire' trailer

(Friday, December 6, 1996)Jerry Maguire, an American romantic comedy-drama sports film about a sports manager strikes out on his own after he loses his job, premiered tonight at Pier 88 in New York City. Continue reading ‘Jerry Maguire’ premieres in New York City 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1996)

Bipartisan panel rebukes U.S. policy in Iraq 10 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 2006)


Video: 'WRAP Iraq Study Group meets Bush, delivers its recommendations, ADDS bite'

(Wednesday, December 6, 2006) — The bipartisan Iraq Study Group concluded today that President George W. Bush’s war policies had failed in almost every regard, and said the situation in Iraq was “grave and deteriorating.”

The Beatles record Christmas messages, first song for ‘Sgt. Pepper’ album 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1966)

(Tuesday, December 6, 1966, 6:45 p.m.-1:50 a.m. GMT) — The Beatles recorded a Christmas message today at EMI Studio 2 in London for pirate stations Radio London and Radio Caroline (click here and here to listen; be sure to right click on the links and choose “Open link in incognido window”). Continue reading The Beatles record Christmas messages, first song for ‘Sgt. Pepper’ album 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1966)

Soviet, Hungarian teams battle in ‘Blood in the Water’ Olympic polo match 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1956)


Video: 'Blood in the Water Match 1956'

(Thursday, December 6, 1956) — A violent water polo match known as the “Blood in the Water” match between Hungary and the USSR took place today during the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, against the backdrop of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Continue reading Soviet, Hungarian teams battle in ‘Blood in the Water’ Olympic polo match 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1956)

278 people killed in Brooklyn Theatre fire 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 5 1876)


Video: 'Brooklyn Theatre fire Top # 7 Facts'

(Tuesday, December 5, 1876, at about 11:17 p.m. local time) — The Brooklyn Theatre Fire broke out tonight near the southeast corner of Washington and Johnson streets in the then-city of Brooklyn, now a borough of New York City, New York, killing at least 278 people, with some accounts reporting more than 300 dead. Continue reading 278 people killed in Brooklyn Theatre fire 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 5 1876)

Peru rebels raid envoy’s home and seizes hundreds of hostages 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1996)


Video: 'Japanese Embassy Hostage Crisis - The CNN Documentary with Alberto Fujimori'

(Tuesday, December 17, 1996, just after 8:00 p.m. PET) — Dressed as waiters bearing champagne and hors d’oeuvres, about 30 Peruvian guerrillas slipped into a party at the Japanese Ambassador’s house tonight in Lima, then set off explosions and took as hostages hundreds of diplomats and government officials. Continue reading Peru rebels raid envoy’s home and seizes hundreds of hostages 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1996)