‘The Sting’ premieres in New York, Los Angeles 40 years ago today (12/25/1973)

1970s, Movies 1970s


Video: 'The Sting' trailer

(Tuesday, December 25, 1973, Christmas Day) — The Sting, a caper film involving a complicated plot by two professional grifters to con a mob boss, premiered today in both New York and Los Angeles.

Directed by George Roy Hill, the film starred Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Robert Shaw.

Germans celebrate first Christmas under Nazi rule 80 years ago today (12/25/1933)

1930s


Video: 'The World At War: A New Germany 2/5' (Christmas 1933 at 2:23)

(Monday, December 25, 1933) — Germany, with Jews out of the civil service, concentration camps full and living under a permantent state of emergency, today celebrated the nation’s first Christmas under Nazi rule.

‘So Bad’ by Paul McCartney debuts at #49 in USA 30 years ago today (12/24/1983)

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


Video: 'So Bad ~ Paul McCartney (HD video)'

(Saturday, December 24, 1983) — So Bad, the second single released in the U.S. from the album Pipes of Peace by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, debuted on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at #49.

The Beatles interviewed for ‘Day by Day’ 50 years ago today (12/24/1963)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'Beatles Christmas Message at Astoria Dec 24, 1963' (Dec. 24, 1963, at 0:08)

(Tuesday, December 24, 1963) — The Beatles were interviewed today for Southern Television’s Day by Day at Astoria Cinema in London where the group’s “The Beatles Christmas Show,” a 16-night live extravaganza, opened this evening.

Christmas cake with ‘Peace 1944’ served in Anne Frank’s hiding place 70 years ago tonight (12/24/1943)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'MOVIE - Diary of Anne Frank - 1 1' (Dec. 24, 1943, at 1:51:59)

(Friday, December 24, 1943, evening; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — “Friday evening, for the first time in my life, I received a Christmas present,” Anne Frank, 14, would write about this evening in her famous diary on Dec. 27, 1943. “Mr. Kleiman, Mr. Kugler and the girls had prepared a wonderful surprise for us. Miep made a delicious Christmas cake with ‘Peace 1944’ written on top, and Bep provided a batch of cookies that was up to prewar standards.” Continue reading Christmas cake with ‘Peace 1944’ served in Anne Frank’s hiding place 70 years ago tonight (12/24/1943) →

73 killed when someone falsely calls out ‘fire!’ in crowded Michigan hall 100 years ago today (12/24/1913)

1910s


Video: 'Italian Hall Disaster of 1913'

(Wednesday, December 24, 1913; Christmas Eve) — 73 people, most of them children, died today in a crush of panic after someone falsely called out “fire!” during a Christmas party for striking miners and their families at the Italian Hall in Calumet, Michigan.

Paul McCartney interviewed for ‘Friday Night Videos’ 30 years ago this hour (12/24/1983)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, Television 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Paul McCartney interview part 1'

(Saturday, December 24, 1983, 12:30 a.m. EST) — The first half of a pre-taped interview with Paul McCartney was featured tonight on NBC-TV’s Friday Night Videos. The second half of the interview was broadcast on Jan. 28, 1984.

President Wilson signs Federal Reserve Act 100 years ago today (12/23/1913)

1910s, U.S. Presidents

(Tuesday, December 23, 1913) — The Federal Reserve Act, an Act of Congress that created and set up the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States of America, and granted it the legal authority to issue Federal Reserve Notes (now commonly known as the U.S. Dollar) and Federal Reserve Bank Notes as legal tender, was signed into law today by President Woodrow Wilson.