Queen Elizabeth II crowned in London’s Westminster Abbey by Archbishop of Canterbury 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 2 1953)

1950s


Video: 'BBC TV Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II: Westminster Abbey 1953 (William McKie)'

(Tuesday, June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Westminster Abbey at about 11:00 a.m. British Summer Time; during the Coronation of Elizabeth II) — The coronation of Elizabeth II as queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms took place today at Westminster Abbey in London. Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II crowned in London’s Westminster Abbey by Archbishop of Canterbury 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 2 1953) →

Mortally wounded commander of USS Chesapeake, Capt. James Lawrence, gives the order ‘Don’t give up the ship’ 210 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1813)

1810s


Video: 'The War of 1812' (June 1, 1813, at 54:20)

(Tuesday, June 1, 1813, the two ships opened fire just before 6:00 local time; during the Capture of USS Chesapeake, part of the War of 1812) — The mortally wounded commander of the USS Chesapeake, American naval officer James Lawrence, gave the order “Don’t give up the ship” today during a losing battle off Boston Harbor with the British frigate HMS Shannon. Continue reading Mortally wounded commander of USS Chesapeake, Capt. James Lawrence, gives the order ‘Don’t give up the ship’ 210 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1813) →

Paul McCartney & Wings release ‘Live and Let Die’/’I Lie Around’ single 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1973)

1970s, James Bond, Movies 1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'Live And Let Die (2018 Remaster)'

(Friday, June 1, 1973) — Paul McCartney & Wings released “Live and Let Die”/“I Lie Around,” the A-side featuring the main theme song of the new James Bond film Live and Let Die, today in the UK (June 18, 1973, in the U.S., McCartney’s 31st birthday). Continue reading Paul McCartney & Wings release ‘Live and Let Die’/’I Lie Around’ single 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1973) →

‘It’s My Party’ by Lesley Gore peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1963)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s

(Saturday, June 1, 1963) — “It’s My Party” by Lesley Gore peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (June 1/8, 1963). Continue reading ‘It’s My Party’ by Lesley Gore peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1963) →

The Beatles record third episode of BBC’s ‘Pop Go The Beatles’ radio series 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1963)

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


Video: 'Love These Goon Shows! (Live At The BBC For "Pop Go The Beatles" / 11th June, 1963)'

(Saturday, June 1, 1963, 1:30-5:30 p.m. British Summer Time) — The Beatles recorded an appearance today for the third episode of the BBC Light Programme Pop Go The Beatles at BBC Paris Studio in London, just hours after recording the second episode. Continue reading The Beatles record third episode of BBC’s ‘Pop Go The Beatles’ radio series 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1963) →

The Beatles record second episode of BBC’s ‘Pop Go The Beatles’ radio series 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1963)

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


Video: 'Sure To Fall (In Love With You)'

(Saturday, June 1, 1963, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. British Summer Time) — The Beatles recorded an appearance today for the second episode of the BBC Light Programme Pop Go The Beatles at BBC Paris Studio in London. Continue reading The Beatles record second episode of BBC’s ‘Pop Go The Beatles’ radio series 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1963) →

’21 Questions’ by 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg peaks at #1 in USA 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 31 2003)

2000s, Popular Music 2000s

(Saturday, May 31, 2003) — “21 Questions” by 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first of four weeks (May 31, June 7/14/21, 2003). Continue reading ’21 Questions’ by 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg peaks at #1 in USA 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 31 2003) →

John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles record ‘Bad To Me’ demo 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 31 1963)

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

Video: 'The Beatles - 58 Bad to Me (Demo) (Bootleg Recordings 1963)'

(Friday, May 31, 1963) — John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles recorded a demo of their composition “Bad To Me” today for Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas, who would record it at EMI Studios in London on June 27, 1963. Continue reading John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles record ‘Bad To Me’ demo 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 31 1963) →

Dr. Josef ‘Angel of Death’ Mengele reports for duty at Auschwitz II-Birkenau extermination camp 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 30 1943)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Josef Mengele - The Angel of Death Documentary'

(Sunday, May 30, 1943; during the The Holocaust, part of World War II) — German Schutzstaffel (SS) officer Dr. Josef Mengele, also known as the Angel of Death, today became the head doctor of the BIIe sector of Auschwitz II-Birkenau extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland, which was the family camp for Sinti and Roma prisoners. Continue reading Dr. Josef ‘Angel of Death’ Mengele reports for duty at Auschwitz II-Birkenau extermination camp 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 30 1943) →

‘Somebody to Love’ by George Michael and Queen peaks at #30 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1993)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s

(Saturday, May 29, 1993) — “Somebody to Love” by George Michael and Queen peaked at #30 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Somebody to Love’ by George Michael and Queen peaks at #30 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1993) →