‘The Phantom of the Opera’ opens on Broadway 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 26 1988)

1980s, Broadway


Video: 'Phantom of the Opera 1988 Tony Awards'

(Tuesday, January 26, 1988, 6:30 p.m. EST) — The Phantom of the Opera, a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe about a beautiful soprano who becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living in the subterranean labyrinth beneath the Opera Populaire, opened tonight on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ opens on Broadway 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 26 1988) →

‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman’ 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 26 1998)

1990s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'President Bill Clinton - Response to Lewinsky Allegations'

(Monday, January 26, 1998, at 10:37-10:44 a.m. EST; during the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal) — With eyes narrowed and one index finger stabbing the air, U.S. President Bill Clinton angrily denied today that he had had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern whose tape-recorded accounts of an affair with him now threaten his presidency. Continue reading ‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman’ 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 26 1998) →

First European settlers land in Australia 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 26 1788)

1780s


Video: 'First Fleet - Behind the News'

(Saturday, January 26, 1788, early morning local time) — The British First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, sailed today into Port Jackson, New South Wales, to establish Sydney, the first permanent European settlement on the Australian continent. Continue reading First European settlers land in Australia 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 26 1788) →

Reagan vows to pursue agenda to end of term 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1988)

1980s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'State of the Union: President Reagan's State of the Union Speech - 1/25/88'

(Monday, January 25, 1988, 9:07 p.m. EST) — In his seventh (and final) State of the Union Message, U.S. President Ronald Reagan said tonight he would remain a vigorous, aggressive President “right to the finish line” of his administration a year from now and urged Congress to show America “that democracy works, even in an election year.” Continue reading Reagan vows to pursue agenda to end of term 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1988) →

Bush and Rather clash on ‘CBS Evening News’ 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1988)

1980s, Television 1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Dan Rather - George Bush Showdown'

(Monday, January 25, 1988, early evening EST) — U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush, currently seeking the Republican presidential nomination, and CBS News anchor Dan Rather shouted at each other tonight during a 10-minute interview about the Iran-Contra affair on live national television. Continue reading Bush and Rather clash on ‘CBS Evening News’ 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1988) →

‘When We Was Fab’/’Zig Zag’ single by George Harrison released 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1988)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'George Harrison - (1987) When We Was Fab (With George's Introduction)'

(Monday, January 25, 1988) — “When We Was Fab”/”Zig Zag,” the second single from the album Cloud Nine by former Beatle George Harrison, was released today in the UK (Jan. 26, 1988 in the U.S.) Continue reading ‘When We Was Fab’/’Zig Zag’ single by George Harrison released 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1988) →

The Beatles film ‘Yellow Submarine’ appearance 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1968)

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


Video: 'Beatles - All Together Now - (Yellow Submarine - 1968) - HD'

(Thursday, January 25, 1968, afternoon GMT) — The Beatles were filmed today at Twickenham Film Studios for a brief live-action ending to their forthcoming animated feature film Yellow Submarine, based on the group’s 1966 hit single. Continue reading The Beatles film ‘Yellow Submarine’ appearance 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1968) →

‘Wedding March’ becomes popular wedding processional 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1858)

1850s


Video: 'Mendelssohn's Wedding March'

(Monday, January 25, 1858) — The Wedding March, composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1842, was played today at the marriage of Queen Victoria’s daughter, Victoria, and Prince Friedrich of Prussia, at St James’s Palace in London, and becomes a popular wedding processional. Continue reading ‘Wedding March’ becomes popular wedding processional 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1858) →

James W. Marshall discovers gold in California 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1848)

1840s


Video: 'The Start of the California Gold Rush (1849)'

(Monday, January 24, 1848) — James W. Marshall, a foreman working for Sacramento pioneer John Sutter, found shiny metal today in the tailrace of a lumber mill Marshall was building for Sutter on the American River, near Coloma in northern California — a discovery that led to the California Gold Rush. Continue reading James W. Marshall discovers gold in California 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1848) →

Chicago’s lead guitarist Terry Kath fatally shoots himself 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 23 1978)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Video: 'Film trailer for the Terry Kath Experience'

(Monday, January 23, 1978, at approximately 5:00 p.m. PST) — Terry Kath, lead singer and guitarist for the rock group Chicago, accidentally shot himself to death tonight following a party in Woodland Hills, California. Continue reading Chicago’s lead guitarist Terry Kath fatally shoots himself 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 23 1978) →