84 people lost as oil-drilling rig Ocean Ranger capsizes and sinks in a storm off Newfoundland 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 15 1982)

1980s, Television 1980s


Video: ‘Disasters of the Century | Season 1 | Episode 37 | Ocean Ranger | Ian Michael Coulson’

(Monday, February 15, 1982, 12:52 a.m. Newfoundland Standard Time) — Ocean Ranger, a semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit, sank in a storm 166 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, early this morning. All 84 men aboard perished in 50-foot seas. Continue reading 84 people lost as oil-drilling rig Ocean Ranger capsizes and sinks in a storm off Newfoundland 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 15 1982) →

‘Blues in the Night (My Mama Done Tol’ Me)’ by Woody Herman peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 14 1942)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, February 14, 1942) — “Blues in the Night (My Mama Done Tol’ Me)” by Woody Herman And His Orchestra (with brief cameo vocal appearances by composer Harold Arlen) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Blues in the Night (My Mama Done Tol’ Me)’ by Woody Herman peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 14 1942) →

Arizona admitted as 48th state of the Union 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 14 1912)

1910s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Arizona History - Road to Statehood'

(Wednesday, February 14, 1912, 10:00 a.m. EST) — In the presence of many Arizonans who had journeyed to Washington for the occasion, U.S. President William H. Taft today signed the proclamation admitting Arizona to the Union as the 48th state. Continue reading Arizona admitted as 48th state of the Union 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 14 1912) →

‘Harden My Heart’ by Quarterflash peaks at #3 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1982)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, February 13, 1982) — “Harden My Heart” by Quarterflash peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Harden My Heart’ by Quarterflash peaks at #3 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1982) →

‘The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)’ by Juice Newton peaks at #7 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1982)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, February 13, 1982) — “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)” by Juice Newton peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)’ by Juice Newton peaks at #7 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1982) →

‘Working for the Weekend’ by Loverboy peaks at #29 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1982)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, February 13, 1982) — “Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy peaked at #29 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Working for the Weekend’ by Loverboy peaks at #29 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1982) →

Monkees singer and bassist Peter Tork born in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1942)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s, The Monkees


Video: 'R.I.P Peter Tork (Tribute video)'

(Friday, February 13, 1942) — American musician, composer, and actor Peter Tork, best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of The Monkees and a co-star of the TV series The Monkees (1966–1968), was born Peter Halsten Thorkelson today at the former Doctors Hospital in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Monkees singer and bassist Peter Tork born in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 13 1942) →

John Lennon & Yoko Ono begin recording studio tracks for ‘Some Time in New York City’ album 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 12 1972)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'Sunday Bloody Sunday (Remastered 2010)'

(Saturday, February 12, 1972; during The Troubles) — Former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, began recording the studio tracks for Some Time in New York City, a part-studio, part-live double album, recording the protest song “Sunday Bloody Sunday” in Studio A at the Record Plant recording studio in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon & Yoko Ono begin recording studio tracks for ‘Some Time in New York City’ album 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 12 1972) →

‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 12 1972)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, February 12, 1972) — “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 12 1972) →

‘Never Been to Spain’ by Three Dog Night peaks at #5 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 12 1972)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, February 12, 1972) — “Never Been to Spain” by Three Dog Night peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Never Been to Spain’ by Three Dog Night peaks at #5 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 12 1972) →