Schell, Loren and ‘West Side Story’ top Oscar winners 50 years ago this hour (1962)

1960s, Movies 1960s

(Monday, April 9, 1962, 7:30 p.m. PST) — West Side Story was named Best Picture of 1961 tonight at the 34th Academy Awards, hosted by Bob Hope at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. The film’s directors, Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise, were named Best Director.

Maximilian Schell, the flinty defender of Nazi war criminals in Judgment at Nuremberg, and Sophia Loren, the earth war refugee of Two Women, were picked as the Best Actor and Actress.

George Chakiris and Rita Moreno each won the supporting actor awards for West Side Story.

Paul McCartney interviewed for ‘Making of Sgt. Pepper’ documentary 20 years ago today (1992)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s, Television 1990s, The Beatles 1990s


Video: 'The Making of Sgt. Pepper' (part 1)

(Thursday, April 9, 1992) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney was interviewed today at Abbey Road Studios in London for the documentary about the making of The Beatles 1967 landmark rock music album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, titled The Making of Sgt. Pepper. Continue reading Paul McCartney interviewed for ‘Making of Sgt. Pepper’ documentary 20 years ago today (1992) →

Space shuttle Atlantis heads into orbit 10 years ago this hour (2002)

2000s, space exploration

(Monday, April 8, 2002, 4:44 p.m. EDT) — Space shuttle Atlantis thundered into orbit today with a new part for the international space station Alpha, a 44-foot section of latticework equipped with a rail car and track.

Atlantis and its crew soared into a clear sky, four days late because of a leaky fuel line on the launch pad that had to be repaired.

Mobster Joe Gallo murdered by rival gangsters 40 years ago this morning (1972)

1970s


Video: April 7, 1972 (at 9:30)

(Friday, April 7, 1972) — Mobster Joe Gallo was shot to death early this morning by rival gangsters during his 43rd birthday celebration at a New York City restaurant. Continue reading Mobster Joe Gallo murdered by rival gangsters 40 years ago this morning (1972) →

Jagger, Richards meet Brian Jones 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: Ode to Brian Jones

(Saturday, April 7, 1962) — The core group of what would make the early Rolling Stones first came together today when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were introduced to future Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones at the Ealing Jazz Club in London.

Union takes Confederate fortress at Island Number Ten 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: April 7, 1862 (at 51:17)

(Monday, April 7, 1862, part of the American Civil War) — Union gunboats and 2,000 troops today took the Confederate fortress at Island Number Ten near New Madrid, Missouri, leaving the Mississippi River open as far south as Memphis.

Confederates launch Battle of Shiloh 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: April 6, 1862 (at 32:09)

(Sunday, April 6, 1862, during the American Civil War) — The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, began this morning in southwestern Tennessee when Confederate forces under Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard launched a surprise attack on Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. Continue reading Confederates launch Battle of Shiloh 150 years ago today (1862) →

Siege of Yorktown begins 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: April 5, 1862 (at 24:25)

(Saturday, April 5, 1862,  part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War) — The monthlong Siege of Yorktown began today in Virginia when the Union commander, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, overestimated the enemy’s strength and insisted on preparations for a full-scale assault.