‘Godzilla, King of the Monsters!’ premieres in New York 70 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1956)


Video: 'Godzilla, King of the Monsters!' trailer

(Friday, April 27, 1956, 9:00 a.m. EST)Godzilla, King of the Monsters!, a Japanese-American science fiction kaiju horror film in which nuclear tests awaken a prehistoric monster, premiered today at Loew’s State theater, 1540 Broadway at W. 45th St. in New York City’s Times Square. Continue reading ‘Godzilla, King of the Monsters!’ premieres in New York 70 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1956)

‘Captain Midnight’ interrupts HBO satellite feed 40 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1986)


Video: 'Captain Midnight, HBO, 1986'

(Sunday, April 27, 1986, 12:32 a.m. EST) — John R. MacDougall of Florida, a video pirate calling himself “Captain Midnight,” interrupted a movie this morning on the premium cable and satellite television network HBO (Home Box Office) with a printed onscreen message protesting home satellite de-scrambling fees.

Maria Shriver marries Arnold Schwarzenegger 40 years ago today (Apr 26 1986)


Video: 'Arnold Schwarzenegger Marriage and family'

(Saturday, April 26, 1986) — TV journalist Maria Shriver and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger were married today at a church in Hyannis, Massachusetts, with members of the Kennedy family present. Continue reading Maria Shriver marries Arnold Schwarzenegger 40 years ago today (Apr 26 1986)

‘So Far Away’ by Dire Straits peaks at #19 in USA 40 years ago today (Apr 26 1986)

(Saturday, April 26, 1986) — “So Far Away” by Dire Straits peaked at #19 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘So Far Away’ by Dire Straits peaks at #19 in USA 40 years ago today (Apr 26 1986)

The Beatles record ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’ 60 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1966)


Video: 'Revolver (Recording Sessions Vol. 2), April 20th - May 5th, 1966' 12:58 And Your Bird Can Sing (Take 3)
13:27 And Your Bird Can Sing (Take 5)
15:43 And Your Bird Can Sing (Take 6 End)
15:52 And Your Bird Can Sing (Take 10) [Isolation Mix A]
17:21 And Your Bird Can Sing (Take 10) [Isolation Mix B]
18:44 And Your Bird Can Sing (Take 10 + 6) [Instrumental]

(Tuesday, April 26, 1966, 2:30 p.m.-2:44 a.m. BST) — The English rock band The Beatles resumed production of their seventh studio album Revolver this afternoon at EMI Studio 2 in London, as they recorded John Lennon’s “And Your Bird Can Sing.” Continue reading The Beatles record ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’ 60 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1966)

30 killed in major nuclear accident at Chernobyl plant in Ukraine 40 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1986)


Video: 'Chernobyl Disaster 1986: What really happened?'

(Saturday, April 26, 1986, 1:23:45 a.m. MSK; during the Cold War) — The world’s worst nuclear accident occurred this morning at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the town of Pripyat, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union), killing at least 30 Soviets immediately. Continue reading 30 killed in major nuclear accident at Chernobyl plant in Ukraine 40 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1986)

John F. Kennedy announces that he’s running for Congress 80 years ago today (Apr 25 1946)


Video: 'JFK’s 1946 Campaign: The Birth of a Political Dynasty'

(Thursday, April 25, 1946) — John F. Kennedy officially announced today at the Parker House Hotel that he was running for the 11th Congressional District in Massachusetts (which included parts of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville). Continue reading John F. Kennedy announces that he’s running for Congress 80 years ago today (Apr 25 1946)

‘Lost’ by Guy Lombardo peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Apr 25 1936)

(Saturday, April 25, 1936) — “Lost” by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (vocal refrain by Guy’s brother, Carmen Lombardo; recorded March 13, 1936, in New York City) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for four non-consecutive weeks (Apr. 25, May 2/29/30, 1936). Continue reading ‘Lost’ by Guy Lombardo peaks at #1 in USA 90 years ago today (Apr 25 1936)

Thornton Affair triggers Mexican–American War 180 years ago today (Apr 25 1846)


Video: 'The Mexican American War - How Did it Start?'

(Saturday, April 25, 1846, morning local time; during the Mexican-American War) — The Mexican-American War began today when more than 1,000-strong Mexican cavalry detachment attacked a 63-man U.S. patrol under the command of Captain Seth Thornton, which had been sent into the contested territory north of the Rio Grande and south of the Nueces River. Continue reading Thornton Affair triggers Mexican–American War 180 years ago today (Apr 25 1846)