Soviet Red Army launches massive counter-offensive, halts German drive on Moscow 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 5 1941)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The Unknown War - The Battle for Moscow - 04/05' (Soviets counterattack at 1:43)

(Friday, December 5, 1941, 3:00 a.m. Moscow Standard Time; during the Battle of Moscow, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — With German forces on the doorstep of Moscow, the Soviet Red Army launched a massive counter-offensive early this morning on the Kalinin Front, effectively putting Operation Typhoon (the attack on Moscow) and Operation Barbarossa (the German invasion of the Soviet Union) to an end. Continue reading Soviet Red Army launches massive counter-offensive, halts German drive on Moscow 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 5 1941) →

Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 35, dies in Vienna 230 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 5 1791)

1790s


Video: 'Amadeus Mozart Documentary'

(Monday, December 5, 1791, 12:55 a.m. local time) — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, considered among the greatest classical composers of all time, died this morning at his home in Vienna, Austria, at the age of 35. Continue reading Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 35, dies in Vienna 230 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 5 1791) →

‘Family Affair’ by Sly & the Family Stone peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, December 4, 1971) — “Family Affair” by Sly & the Family Stone peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three consecutive weeks (Dec. 4/11/18, 1971). Continue reading ‘Family Affair’ by Sly & the Family Stone peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1971) →

‘Everybody’s Everything’ by Santana peaks at #12 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, December 4, 1971) — “Everybody’s Everything” by Santana peaked at #12 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart one week. Continue reading ‘Everybody’s Everything’ by Santana peaks at #12 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1971) →

Paul McCartney’s new band Wings releases debut album ‘Wild Life’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 3 1971)

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


Video: 'Wings Wild Life full album (1971)'

(Friday, December 3, 1971) — Wild Life, the debut studio album by the British–American rock band Wings and the third studio album by Paul McCartney after the breakup of the Beatles, was released today in Britain (it would be released in the U.S. three days later on Monday, December 6, 1971). Continue reading Paul McCartney’s new band Wings releases debut album ‘Wild Life’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 3 1971) →

The Doors perform at Berkeley Community Theatre in Berkeley, California 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 2 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Doors


Video: 'The Doors - Light My Fire @ Berkeley Community Theatre'

(Wednesday, December 2, 1971, following the 8:00 p.m. PST scheduled start time for opening acts Albert King and Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks) — Nearly five months after lead singer Jim Morrison was found dead in a bathtub in Paris, the surviving members of the American rock group The Doors — keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore — performed tonight at the Berkeley Community Theatre in Berkeley, California. Continue reading The Doors perform at Berkeley Community Theatre in Berkeley, California 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 2 1971) →

Japanese Emperor Hirohito approves war against U.S., Britain and Holland 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (1941)

1940s, World War II

(Monday, December 1, 1941; six days before the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor) — Japanese Emperor Hirohito approved a “war against United States, Great Britain and Holland” today during an Imperial Conference to commence with a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at its main forward base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Continue reading Japanese Emperor Hirohito approves war against U.S., Britain and Holland 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (1941) →

George Harrison, Eric Clapton open Japanese tour 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 1 1991)

1990s, The Beatles 1990s


Video: 'George Harrison Eric Clapton Live in Japan - December 1, 1991 COMPLETE VIDEO Part 1'

(Sunday, December 1, 1991, 6:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time; during George Harrison–Eric Clapton 1991 Japanese Tour) — Rock legends George Harrison, a former Beatle, and Eric Clapton opened a 12-date tour of Japan tonight at The Yokohama Arena in Yokohama. Continue reading George Harrison, Eric Clapton open Japanese tour 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 1 1991) →

‘Green River’ serial killer Gary Ridgway apprehended in Renton, Washington 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 2001)

2000s


Video: 'NBC News archive footage of the Green River Killer' (coverage after Ridgway's arrest begins at 23:43)

(Friday, November 30, 2001, about 3 p.m. PST) — Gary Ridgway — better known as the “Green River Killer,” an American serial killer responsible for the murders of at least 71 teenage girls and women mostly near Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, during the 1980s and 1990s — was apprehended today as he was leaving the Kenworth truck factory where he worked in Renton, Washington. Continue reading ‘Green River’ serial killer Gary Ridgway apprehended in Renton, Washington 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 2001) →

Surviving ex-Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr mourn George Harrison 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 2001)

2000s, Popular Music 2000s, The Beatles 2000s


Video: 'Paul McCartney's reaction to George Harrisons Death.'

(Friday, November 30, 2001) — The two surviving Beatles mourned George Harrison today as “a best friend” and a “baby brother,” and flags were lowered in Liverpool where the band was born. Continue reading Surviving ex-Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr mourn George Harrison 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 2001) →