Comedian Joan Rivers debuts on ‘Tonight’ with Johnny Carson 50 years ago this hour (Feb 17 1965)


Video: 'Joan Rivers is Hilarious on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show FULL INTERVIEW, 1986' (they extensively refer to her Feb. 17, 1965, debut)

(Wednesday, February 17, 1965, 11:30 p.m. EST) — Comedian Joan Rivers made her first appearance tonight on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

‘The Alan Brady Show’ episode airs on ‘Mad About You’ 20 years ago this hour (Feb 16 1995)


Video: 'Mad About You - S03E16 - The Alan Brady Show'

(Thursday, February 16, 1995, 8:00 p.m. EST) — Paul deals with the ego of a TV star for his film on tonight’s episode of the NBC-TV sitcom series Mad About You.

This episode was listed as #84 on TV Guide‘s 1997 list of Top 100 Episodes of All Time.

‘Lost in America’ released in U.S. theaters 30 years ago today (Feb 15 1985)


Video: 'Lost in America' (trailer)

(Friday, February 15, 1985)Lost in America, a comedy film about a discontented yuppie couple who quit their jobs to rediscover America on the road, opened today in U.S. theaters (limited), including Cinema 2 in New York City.

Directed by Albert Brooks, the film starred Brooks and Julie Hagerty.

Americans join massive bombardment of Dresden, Germany 70 years ago this hour (Feb 14 1945)


Video: 'The World At War Ep21 Nemesis' (Feb. 14, 1945, at 12:17 p.m. CET, at 1:17)

(Wednesday, February 14, 1945, 12:17 p.m. CET; during the Bombing of Dresden, part of strategic bombing during World War II) — American planes began bombing Dresden, Germany, this afternoon, following up on the previous night’s massive bombardment by Royal Air Force bombers. Continue reading Americans join massive bombardment of Dresden, Germany 70 years ago this hour (Feb 14 1945)

Grammy Awards pay posthumous tribute to Ray Charles 10 years ago this hour (Feb 13 2005)


Video: 'Popular 47th Annual Grammy Awards & Grammy Awards videos' (52 videos)

(Sunday, February 13, 2005, 8:00 p.m. EST) — Ray Charles, the blind visionary who revolutionized American music with fusions of soul, rock, jazz and country, broke the mold once more tonight at the 47th annual Grammy Awards, posthumously dominating the telecast with wins in eight categories for his final album Genius Loves Company.

Queen Latifah hosted the televised ceremonies from the Staples Center in Los Angeles (click here for 12 official videos from the event).

Soviets capture Budapest from the Germans 70 years ago today (Feb 13 1945)


Video: 'The soviet invasion of Hungary and the Siege of Budapest 1944-1945 Budapest Ostroma'

(Tuesday, February 13, 1945; during the Siege of Budapest, part of the Budapest Offensive on the Eastern front of World War II) — The Red Army today completed its conquest of Budapest, ending a 50-day siege of the battle-scarred capital of Axis Hungary.

Actress Lauren Bacall sits atop piano while VP Truman plays 70 years ago today (Feb 10 1945)

(Saturday, February 10, 1945; during World War II) — During a luncheon today at the National Press Club, Vice President Harry Truman sat down at the piano to play the “Missouri Waltz” when suddenly 20-year-old actress Lauren Bacall perched herself on top of the piano for some publicity portraits, showing a rather daring amount of leg by 1945 standards (click here for a relevant clip from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:27:35).

Legendary child actress Shirley Temple interviewed for ’60 Minutes’ 30 years ago this hour (Feb 9 1975)

Video: 'Shirley Temple: From child star to ambassador'

(Sunday, February 9, 1975, 6:00 p.m. EST) — Legendary child actress Shirley Temple (Black) was interviewed by correspondent Morley Safer tonight on the CBS television magazine series 60 Minutes as she embarked on a new career as the U.S. ambassador to Ghana.

‘Witness’ opens in U.S. theaters 30 years ago today (Feb 8 1985)


Video: 'Witness' trailer

(Friday, February 8, 1985)Witness, a thriller film about a detective who protects a young Amish boy who becomes a target after he witnesses a murder in Philadelphia, opened today in U.S. theaters (including the Astor Plaza in New York City).

Directed by Peter Weir, the film starred Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis.