Television broadcasters urged to reform ‘vast wasteland’ of programming 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1961)

1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'An incredible speech by Newton Minow in 1961. "Vast Wasteland".'

(Tuesday, May 9, 1961) — Newton N. Minow, the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, presented a scorching indictment of contemporary television at the National Association of Broadcasters convention today in Washington, describing it as a “vast wasteland” and implied that the FCC might not renew licenses of those entities that failed to upgrade their product.
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‘Chick-A-Boom (Don’t Ya Jes’ Love It)’ by Daddy Dewdrop peaks at #9 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, May 8, 1971) — “Chick-A-Boom (Don’t Ya Jes’ Love It)” by Daddy Dewdrop peaked at #9 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.
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‘L.A. Woman’ studio album by The Doors debuts at #56 in USA 50 years ago #OnThis Day #OTD (May 8 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Doors


Video: 'The Doors - L.A. Woman (Full Album)' (first 10 videos constitute original album)

(Saturday, May 8, 1971) — L.A. Woman, the sixth studio album by the American rock band The Doors, debuted today at #56 on Billboard‘s Top LP’s chart.
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‘Freedom’ by Jimi Hendrix peaks at #74 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, May 8, 1971) — “Freedom” by the late Jimi Hendrix peaked at #59 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.
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Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto becomes first European colonizer to reach Mississippi River 480 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1541)

1720s and before


Video: 'Hernando de Soto - Explorer | Mini Bio | BIO'

(Sunday, May 8, 1541) — Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto today became the first European colonizer to reach the Mississippi River, the second-longest river and chief river of the second-largest drainage system on the North American continent.
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Astronaut Alan Shepard, first American in space, decorated by President Kennedy 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1961)

1960s, space exploration, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Shepard Medal Presentation'

(Monday, May 8, 1961, 10:00-10:25 a.m. EDT) — Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., 37, who became the first American to travel into space just three days ago aboard Freedom 7, was presented the NASA Distinguished Service Medal by President John F. Kennedy today at the White House.
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Tennessee becomes 10th Southern slave state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 7 1861)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Tennessee in the Civil War'

(Tuesday, May 7, 1861; during the American Civil War) — Three weeks and four days after the beginning of the Battle of Fort Sumter in South Carolina, which triggered the American Civil War, the Tennessee legislature ratified an agreement today to enter a military league with the Confederate States, becoming the tenth southern state to secede to preserve the enslavement of black people.
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Comedian Bob Hope does first USO show for servicemen at March Field, California 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1941)

World War II


Video: 'BOB HOPE USO'

(Tuesday, May 6, 1941; seven months before America’s entry into World War II) — Comedian Bob Hope did his first USO before an audience of servicemen today as he broadcast his radio program from March Field (now known as March Air Reserve Base) in Riverside, California.
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Arkansas becomes ninth Southern state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1861)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Arkansas in the Civil War'

(Monday, May 6, 1861; during the American Civil War) — Three weeks and three days after the beginning of the Battle of Fort Sumter in South Carolina, which triggered the American Civil War, delegates to the Arkansas Secession Convention voted 69-1 to secede from the Union today in Little Rock, becoming the ninth southern state to secede to preserve the enslavement of black people.
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Former Beatle Ringo Starr unveils kinetic sculpture ‘Another One’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, Television 1970s


Video: 'Ringo Starr & Kinetic Art - Reuters - 5 May 1971'

(Thursday, May 6, 1971) — Former Beatle Ringo Starr appeared today at a new shop opened by Zarach, an exclusive modern design company, at 183 Sloane Street in London to promote “Another One,” the first piece of Kinetic sculpture he designed with top designer Robin Cruikshank.
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