British troops surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, effectively ending American Revolutionary War 240 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1781)

1780s, American Revolutionary War


Video: 'Now Or Never: Yorktown Campaign of 1781 (Full Movie)'

(Friday, October 19, 1781, 2:00 p.m. local time; during the Siege of Yorktown, part of the Yorktown Campaign, part of the Southern Theater of the American Revolutionary War during the American Revolution) — Britain’s Lord Charles Cornwallis surrendered today with 8,000 troops to General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia, effectively ending the American War of Independence and guaranteeing the colonialists freedom from the crown. Continue reading British troops surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, effectively ending American Revolutionary War 240 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1781) →

‘West Side Story’ film premieres in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 18 1961)

1960s, Movies 1960s


Video: 'West Side Story' trailer

(Wednesday, October 18, 1961, 8:30 p.m. EDT) — West Side Story, an American musical romantic drama film adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name, about a young couple from dueling street gangs who fall in love, had its world premiere tonight at Rivoli Theatre, 1620 Broadway at between 49th and 50th streets in Times Square in the Midtown Manhattan section of New York City. Continue reading ‘West Side Story’ film premieres in New York City 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 18 1961) →

‘Other Voices’ studio album by The Doors released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 18 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Doors


Video: 'Other Voices - The Doors (1971) (Full Album)' (8 videos)

(Monday, October 18, 1971) — Other Voices, the seventh studio album by The Doors, the first posthumous album released by the American rock band following the death of the lead singer Jim Morrison on July 3, 1971, with keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger sharing lead vocals, was released today. Continue reading ‘Other Voices’ studio album by The Doors released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 18 1971) →

General Hideki Tojo forms cabinet in Tokyo, prepares for war with U.S. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 18 1941)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Cranking This War Up to Eleven - Hideki Tojo - WW2 Biography Special'

(Saturday, October 18, 1941, afternoon Japanese Standard Time; during World War II, 50 days before the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor) — Lieutenant General Hideki Tojo formed and swore in a new Japanese Cabinet today, with himself as Premier, War Minister and Home Minister, replacing Fumimaro Konoye as prime minister, pledging to pursue a strong foreign policy. Continue reading General Hideki Tojo forms cabinet in Tokyo, prepares for war with U.S. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 18 1941) →

‘Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)’ by Christopher Cross peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1981)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, October 17, 1981) — “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” the title song from the film “Arthur” by Christopher Cross, peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks (Oct. 17/24/31, 1981). Continue reading ‘Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)’ by Christopher Cross peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1981) →

‘For Your Eyes Only’ by Sheena Easton peaks at #4 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1981)

1980s, James Bond, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, October 17, 1981) — “For Your Eyes Only,” the title song from the latest James Bond film by Sheena Easton, peaked at #4 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘For Your Eyes Only’ by Sheena Easton peaks at #4 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1981) →

‘(Want You) Back in My Life Again’ by The Carpenters peaks at #72 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1981)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, October 17, 1981) — “(Want You) Back in My Life Again” by The Carpenters peaked at #72 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘(Want You) Back in My Life Again’ by The Carpenters peaks at #72 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1981) →

German U-boat torpedoes USS Kearny, killing 11 Americans 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #ODT (Oct 17 1941)

1940s, World War II


Video: '1941 German Torpedo Hits USS Kearney World War Two'

(Friday, October 17, 1941, 1:00 a.m. Icelandic Standard Summer Time; during the Kearny incident) — American destroyer USS Kearny (DD 432), dispatched to defend Allied convoy SC 48 from a German wolfpack, was torpedoed today on her starboard side by the German submarine U-568 while on patrol about 350 miles south and west of Iceland, but did not sink. Continue reading German U-boat torpedoes USS Kearny, killing 11 Americans 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #ODT (Oct 17 1941) →

Paul McCartney’s new group Wings completes recording sessions for debut album 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1971)

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


Video: 'Dear Friend (Home Recording I)'

(Saturday, October 16, 1971) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney and his new British-American rock band, Wings, returned to EMI Studios (Abbey Road) in London today, completing “Dear Friend” with orchestral overdubs for what would become the group’s debut album, Wild Life. Continue reading Paul McCartney’s new group Wings completes recording sessions for debut album 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1971) →

‘Superstar’ by The Carpenters peaks at #2 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, October 16, 1971) — “Superstar” by The Carpenters peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Superstar’ by The Carpenters peaks at #2 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1971) →