D-Day begins as gliders are towed to French coast 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Operation Overlord & Neptune (D-Day documentary)' (June 6, 1944, 12:01 a.m. BDST at 2:30)

(Tuesday, June 6, 1944, 12:01 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/6:01 p.m. Eastern War Time (EWT); six hours before the Normandy landings, part of Operation Overlord on the Western Front of World War II) — D-Day began just after midnight today when three gliders were towed to the French coast under the cover of darkness to capture Pegasus Bridge. Continue reading D-Day begins as gliders are towed to French coast 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1944) →

Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, 93, dies in Los Angeles 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 2004)

2000s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'NBC Ronald Reagan Death Special Report June, 5 2004'

(Saturday, June 5, 2004, 1:09 p.m. PDT) — Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, (1981-1989), died this afternoon died of pneumonia following nine years of Alzheimer’s disease at his home in the Bel-Air district of Los Angeles, at the age of 93. Continue reading Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, 93, dies in Los Angeles 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 2004) →

The Beatles tape appearance for VARA-TV at Hillegom’s Café-Restaurant Treslong 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1964)

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


Video: 'The Beatles - Netherlands TV Appearance [ HQ alt-audio, Nicol's on drums]'

(Friday, June 5, 1964, 8:00 p.m. Central European Time) — The Beatles recorded an appearance tonight at Café-Restaurant Treslong in Hillegom, The Netherlands, for airing on June 8, 1964, at 8:30 p.m. on VARA-TV. Continue reading The Beatles tape appearance for VARA-TV at Hillegom’s Café-Restaurant Treslong 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1964) →

BBC signals D-Day orders to French Resistance 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Ten Days to D-Day 5/7' (June 5, 1944, 7:00 p.m. at 9:04)

(Monday, June 5, 1944, 7:00 p.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/1:00 p.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); 1 day before the Normandy landings, part of Operation Overlord on the Western Front of World War II) — The French Resistance receives D-Day orders via coded messages from the British Broadcasting Corporation, better known as the BBC. Continue reading BBC signals D-Day orders to French Resistance 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1944) →

Allied invasion force leaves England’s south coast 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Ten Days to D-Day 5/7' (June 5, 1944, 6:00 p.m. at 8:19)

(Monday, June 5, 1944, 6:00 p.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/12:00 noon Eastern War Time (EWT); 1 day before the Normandy landings, part of Operation Overlord on the Western Front of World War II) — By the end of the afternoon, the biggest armada the world has ever seen is leaving England’s south coast. Continue reading Allied invasion force leaves England’s south coast 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1944) →

‘Little Things Mean a Lot’ by Kitty Kallen peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (June 5 1954)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, June 5, 1954) — “Little Things Mean a Lot” by Kitty Kallen peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of nine consecutive weeks (June 5/12/19/26, July 3/10/17/24/31, 1954). Continue reading ‘Little Things Mean a Lot’ by Kitty Kallen peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (June 5 1954) →

The Beatles arrive at Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (June 5 1964)

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


Video: 'The Beatles Day By Day 1964' (June 5, 1964, playlist videos 165-177)

(Friday, June 5, 1964, arrived at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam at approximately 1:15 p.m. Central European Time; during The Beatles’ 1964 world tour) — Following the previous day’s concerts in Copenhagen, Denmark, The Beatles today flew to Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam, Netherlands, the second stop of the band’s 1964 world tour. Continue reading The Beatles arrive at Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (June 5 1964) →

Eisenhower: ‘OK. Let’s go’ 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Ten Days to D-Day 5/7' (June 5, 1944, 4:15 a.m. at 5:23)

(Monday, June 5, 1944, 4:15 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/10:15 p.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); 1 day before the Normandy landings, part of Operation Overlord on the Western Front of World War II) — Allied Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower says, “OK. Let’s go,” as commanders attend their final D-Day weather briefing early this morning in southern England. Continue reading Eisenhower: ‘OK. Let’s go’ 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1944) →

The Beatles perform at K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay (June 4 1964)

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


Video: 'The Beatles live in Denmark 1964'

(Thursday, June 4, 1964, late show scheduled to begin 9:15 p.m. Central European Time) — The Beatles began their first world tour tonight, performing two shows for 4,400 fans at K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen, Denmark. Continue reading The Beatles perform at K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay (June 4 1964) →

Recording of ‘Slow Down’ by The Beatles completed in the band’s absence 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 4 1964)

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


Video: 'Slow Down (Remastered 2009)'

(Thursday, June 4, 1964, 2:30-7:30 p.m. BST) — While John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison were in Copenhagen to begin The Beatles’ first world tour and drummer Ringo Starr was ill and stuck in a London hospital, producer George Martin completed The Beatles’ recording of “Slow Down” today by adding a piano part at EMI Studio 2 in London. Continue reading Recording of ‘Slow Down’ by The Beatles completed in the band’s absence 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 4 1964) →