On This Day

[bunkerfan]

27th September


In 1912 W. C. Handy publishes "Memphis Blues", considered the 1st blues song.




In 1946 King George II of Greece returns from exile to Athens.




In 1960 Europe's 1st "moving pavement" (travelator), opens at Bank station on the London Underground.




In 1986 "Give Me Wings" single released by Michael Johnson (Billboard Song of the Year 1987)

[bunkerfan]

28th September


In 1923 Radio Times 1st published.




In 1949 "My Friend Irma" premieres, 1st of 16 films starring Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis.




In 1961 Walt Disney's movie "Grey Friars Bobby" premieres.




In 1985 "Don't Lose My Number" by Phil Collins peaks at #4.

[bunkerfan]

29th September


In 1916 American oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller becomes the world's first billionaire.




In 1948 "Hamlet" directed by and starring Laurence Olivier's opens at Park Avenue Cinema (Best Picture 1949)




In 1963 "My Favorite Martian" starring Ray Walston, debuts on CBS-TV.




In 1979 The Police had their first UK No.1 single with 'Message In A Bottle' the group's third Top 20 hit. The song was released as the first single from Reggatta de Blanc and also topped the charts in Ireland and reached No.5 in Australia. Despite its popularity in the UK, the single only reached No.74 in the United States.

[bunkerfan]

30th September


In 1920 Time Square Theater opens at 217 W 42nd St NYC.




In 1936 Pinewood Studios opens in Buckinghamshire England.




In 1967 The UK's first National pop radio station, BBC Radio 1 was launched in the UK to take over from the very successful pirate radio stations, which had been forced off-air by the Government. Former pirate DJ Tony Blackburn, from Radio Caroline, was the first presenter on air, with The Move's Flowers In The Rain the first record to be played.




In 1995 Simply Red scored their first UK No.1 single when 'Fairground' started a four-week run at the top of the charts. It was their 15th UK Top 40 hit.

[bunkerfan]

1st October


In 1908 Henry Ford introduces the Model T car (costs $825)




In 1939 Winston Churchill calls Russia a "riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma".




In 1964 San Francisco cable cars declared a national landmark.




In 1982 John Cougar went to No.1 on both the US album and singles chart with the album 'American Fool' and the single 'Jack And Diane'.

[bunkerfan]

2nd October


In 1901 First Royal Navy submarine launched at Barrow-in-Furness.




In 1950 1st strip of Charlie Brown, "Li'l Folks", later "Peanuts", by Charles M. Schulz published in seven nationwide papers.




In 1968 Redwood National Park established to preserve the tallest trees on earth, by an act of US Congress with 58,000 acres (later extended)




In 1995 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Kylie Minogue released the duet 'Where the Wild Roses Grow'. The song later won 1996 ARIA Awards: 'Single of the Year', 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Pop Release'.

[bunkerfan]

3rd October


In 1849 American author Edgar Allan Poe is found delirious in a gutter in Baltimore, Maryland under mysterious circumstances; it is the last time he is seen in public before his death.




In 1955 "Mickey Mouse Club" premieres.




In 1974 Watergate criminal trial begins for five advisors and aides of President Nixon.




In 1983 Parlophone releases Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson's duet single "Say, Say, Say" (from Paul's "Pipes of Peace" album) in UK.

[bunkerfan]

4th October


In 1881 Edward Leveaux patents automatic player piano.




In 1927 Gutzon Borglum begins sculpting Mt. Rushmore (works on till 1941)




In 1970 Jochen Rindt of Austria posthumously clinches Formula 1 World Drivers Championship at the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen when contender Jacky Ickx finishes 4th; Rindt killed in a practice accident at the Italian GP at Monza 5/9/70.




In 1980 Winners in the Melody Makers readers poll included, Kate Bush who won Best female singer.

[bunkerfan]

5th October


In 1924 1st Little Orphan Annie-strip appears in NYC Daily News.




In 1947 Brooklyn outfielder Al Gionfriddo makes famous catch off Joe DiMaggio in Game 6 of Baseball World Series; Dodgers beat Yankees, 8-6; catch inspires "back-back-back" expression.




In 1966 Nigerian government presents a copy of Ben Enwonwu's sculpture "The Awakening" to the United Nations.




In 1974 Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells went to No.1 for the first time on the UK album chart 15 months after being released. It went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. The first album released on Virgin Records saw Oldfield, (who was 19 years old when it was recorded), playing almost all the instruments.

[bunkerfan]

6th October


In 1857 First American Chess Congress hosted by the American Chess Association in NYC, NY.




In 1945 Tavern owner "Billy Goat" Sianis buys seat for his goat for Game 4 of Baseball World Series, is escorted out and casts goat curse on Chicago Cubs.




In 1978 "Midnight Express" film premieres directed by Alan Parker starring Brad Davis, Randy Quaid and John Hurt.




In 1984 David Bowie scored his sixth UK No.1 album with 'Tonight', featuring the single 'Blue Jean'.

[bunkerfan]

7th October


In 1915 English nurse Edith Cavell sentenced to death along with 34 others by German court martial for running underground network to free Allied soldiers.




In 1955 Aircraft carrier USS Saratoga launched at Brooklyn.




In 1971 "The French Connection" directed by William Friedkin and starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider and Fernando Rey premieres in the US (Academy Awards Best Picture 1972)




In 1995 Alanis Morissette went to No.1 on the US album chart with her third album Jagged Little Pill. The record produced six successful singles, including 'You Oughta Know', 'Ironic', 'You Learn', 'Hand in My Pocket', and 'Head over Feet' and went on to become the biggest selling album ever by a female artist with sales over 30m.

[bunkerfan]

8th October


In 1873 First women's prison run by women opens at Indiana Reformatory Institute.




In 1945 Microwave oven patented by US inventor Percy Spencer.




In 1971 Apple Records releases John Lennon's second solo studio album, "Imagine" in UK; it tops the charts in US, UK, Australia, and 3 other countries.




In 1988 On their 12th single release, U2 scored their first UK No.1 with 'Desire.' The track which was also a US No.3 hit was taken from their album 'Rattle And Hum.'

[bunkerfan]

9th October


In 1855 American inventor Isaac Singer patents sewing machine.




In 1929 Part of lost Piri Reis World Map, compiled by Ottoman general Piri Reis in 1513, rediscovered in the Topaki Palace Library, Istanbul. Earliest map of Columbus's voyages.




In 1969 The Supremes release single "Someday We'll Be Together", Diana Ross' last recording with the group.




In 1987 "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll" documentary film directed by Taylor Hackford of 1986 concerts celebrating rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry is released.

[bunkerfan]

10th October


In 1899 African-American inventor Issac R. Johnson patents the bicycle frame.




In 1956 "Giant", directed by George Stevens, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean in his last role, premieres in NYC.




In 1975 Ken Russell's surreal biographical musical comedy film "Lisztomania", starring Roger Daltrey as 19th-century Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, and soundtrack arranged by progressive rock keyboardist Rick Wakeman, premieres.




In 1992 R.E.M. scored their second UK No.1 album with 'Automatic For The People', featuring the singles 'Drive', 'Everybody Hurts', 'Man On The Moon' and 'The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight.'

[bunkerfan]

11th October


In 1922 First woman FBI "special investigator", Alaska Davidson, appointed.




In 1967 "Yoko Plus Me" art exhibition by Yoko Ono opens in London (the "Me" is John Lennon)




In 1982 English ship Mary Rose, which sank during an engagement with France in 1545, raised at Portsmouth.




In 1997 The Verve started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with their third album Urban Hymns. The band's best-selling release features 'Bitter Sweet Symphony', and 'The Drugs Don't Work'. It is currently ranked the 15th best-selling album in UK.

[bunkerfan]

12th October


In 1823 Charles Macintosh of Scotland begins selling raincoats (Macs)




In 1944 "Columbus Day Riot": 30,000 fans descend on NYC's Times Square for singer Frank Sinatra's performance at Paramount Theatre (capacity 3,500)




In 1968 IXX Summer Olympic Games open at Mexico City, Mexico; first Olympics in Latin America.




In 1975 Rod Stewart and the Faces made their final live appearance when they played at Nassau Coliseum, Long Island. The group produced four studio albums: First Step (1970), Long Player (1971), A Nod Is As Good As a Wink... to a Blind Horse (1971) and Ooh La La (1973).

[bunkerfan]

13th October


In 1917 70,000 people gather to see 'Miracle of the Sun', solar visions reportedly by the Virgin Mary in Fátima, Portugal after prophecies by local children.




Born on this day in 1941 - Paul Simon, singer, songwriter, (1970 UK & US No.1 single with Simon and Garfunkel, 'Bridge Over Trouble Water.' The duo's 1970 album 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' spent 307 weeks on the UK chart). Solo, (1986 UK No.4 single 'You Can Call Me Al', 1986 UK No.1 album Graceland spent 115 weeks on the UK chart).




In 1966 Jimi Hendrix Experience rock trio debuts with American guitarist Jimi Hendrix, British bassist Noel Redding & British drummer Mitch Mitchell in Évreux, Normandy, France.




In 2011 American band Maroon 5 were on the top 10 of the UK singles chart with 'Moves Like Jagger', featuring Christina Aguilera. Its lyrics referred to a male's ability to impress a female with his dance moves, which he compared to those of Mick Jagger. The video featured old video footage of Jagger and his iconic dance moves. Moves Like Jagger was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 54th Grammy Awards.

[bunkerfan]

14th October


In 1834 First African-American granted a US patent, Henry Blair, for a corn planter.




In 1947 Chuck Yeager in Bell XS-1 makes 1st supersonic flight (Mach 1.015)




In 1964 Little known American distance runner Billy Mills scores major upset by winning the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics; beats Mohammed Gammoudi of Tunisia by 0.4s; only American to ever win the event.




In 1988 Def Leppard became first act in chart history to sell seven million copies of two consecutive LPs, with Pyromania (their third studio album released in 1983) and Hysteria, (which became the band's best-selling album to date, selling over 20 million copies worldwide, and spawning six hit singles).

[bunkerfan]

15th October


In 1878 Edison Electric Light Company incorporated.




In 1959 TV series "The Untouchables" starring Robert Stack premieres in the US.




In 1968 British athlete David Hemery sets a world record 48.12s to beat Gerhard Hennige of West Germany and take the gold medal in the men's 400m hurdles at the Mexico City Olympics.




In 1997 Michael Jackson played the last date on the HIStory Tour at King's Park Rugby Stadium, Durban, South Africa. During the tour, Jackson performed 82 concerts in 58 cities to over 4.5 million fans, visiting 5 continents and 35 countries.

[bunkerfan]

16th October


In 1936 Jean Batten reaches Auckland, New Zealand after flying solo from Kent, England in a record 11 days and 45 minutes.




In 1952 Woolworth's at Powell & Market (San Francisco) opens





In 1984 Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican Archbishop, wins Nobel Peace Prize.




In 1992 Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary (of his recording debut) tribute concert took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Guest performers include Neil Young, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Ronnie Wood and Dylan himself.

[bunkerfan]

17th October


In 1907 Guglielmo Marconi's company begins the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada and Clifden, Ireland.




In 1956 Chess "Game of the Century": 13-year-old Bobby Fischer defeats 1953 U.S. Champion Donald Byrne in the Rosenwald Memorial Tournament at the Marshall Chess Club in New York City.




In 1979 Mother Teresa of Calcutta awarded Nobel Peace Prize.




In 1992 Tasmin Archers debut single 'Sleeping Satellite' was at No.1 in the UK, the English singer, songwriters only No.1. Archer wrote the song in the late 1980s about the moon landings in 1969, but it was only when Archer got a record deal that the song saw the light of day.

[bunkerfan]

18th October


In 1909 Comte de Lambert of France sets airplane altitude record of 300 m.




In 1945 Paul Robeson wins Spingarn Medal for singing & acting achievements.




In 1967 The Bee Gees were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Massachusetts', the group's first of five UK No.1's.




In 2005 Madonna admitted that she wrote a grovelling letter to Abba asking if she could sample their music on her latest single ‘Hung Up.’ The singer had to seek permission to sample ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’ and became only the second act that Abba has allowed to sample their work. The Fugees used part of ‘The Name Of The Game’ on their 1996 track ‘Rumble In The Jungle.’

[bunkerfan]

19th October


In 1919 1st US Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a living female recipient, Anna Howard Shaw.




In 1943 Streptomycin, the first antibiotic remedy for tuberculosis, is isolated by researchers at Rutgers University, New Jersey.




In 1974 Australian tennis star Evonne Goolagong wins her first WTA Tour Championship; beats Chris Evert 6-3, 6-4 in the final at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.




In 1979 - Tom Petty
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their third album Damn the Torpedoes. It built on his two previous albums' commercial success and critical acclaim and reached No.2 on the Billboard album chart, (kept from No.1 by Pink Floyd's The Wall). The album featured the two hit singles 'Don't Do Me Like That (US No. 10) and 'Refugee' (US No. 15).

[bunkerfan]

20th October


In 1818 49th parallel forms as border between US & Canada.




In 1955 Publication of "The Return of the King", the 3rd and final volume of "The Lord of the Rings" by J. R. R. Tolkien by George Allen and Unwin in London.




In 1964 Riot at Rolling Stones concert in Paris leads to 150 arrests.




In 1976 The Led Zeppelin film 'The Song Remains The Same', premiered in New York City. The charity night raised $25,000 for the save the children fund.

[bunkerfan]

21st October


In 1921 "The Sheik", a silent film starring Rudolph Valentino, premieres in Los Angeles.




In 1945 Women in France allowed to vote for 1st time.




In 1967 Tens of thousands of anti-Vietnam War protesters march on the Pentagon, besieging the military headquarters for two days.




In 1975 Elton John is given a star in Hollywood.

[bunkerfan]

22nd October


In 1916 US suffragette Inez Milholland collapses during a speech in Los Angeles (dies weeks later). Her last word's are to President Woodrow Wilson “Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?”




In 1938 Chester Carlson has 1st successful experiment in electrophotography, later sold to the Haloid Company and dubbed "Xerox copying."




In 1967 Denny Hulme becomes first New Zealander to win the F1 World Drivers Championship.




In 2002 Foo Fighters released One by One their fourth studio album which includes the successful singles 'All My Life' and 'Times Like These'. One by One won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 2004, the second for the band.

[bunkerfan]

23rd October


In 1915 1st national horseshoe throwing championship at Kellerton, Iowa.




In 1947 NAACP petition on racism "An Appeal to the World" presented to UN.




In 1973 19 year old American tennis star Chris Evert retains her WTA Tour Championship at Boca Raton, Florida; beats Nancy Richey Gunter 6-3, 6-3 in the final.




In 1982 Culture Club were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me', the group's first chart topper and the first of 12 UK Top 40 hits. The song became a major hit after their memorable debut performance on Top Of The Pops when they stood in for Shakin' Stevens who was ill and not able to appear.

[bunkerfan]

24th October


In 1926 Harry Houdini's last performance, at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit, Michigan.




In 1946 A camera on board the V-2 No. 13 rocket, launched from Whites Sands US, takes the first photograph of earth from outer space.




In 1966 Newsweek interviewed The Monkees. They are asked how the music is created. Singer Davy Jones tells them, "This isn't a rock 'n' roll group. This is an act."




In 1987 Michael Jackson started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Bad', a No.3 hit in the UK. A music video for 'Bad', directed by Martin Scorsese and co-starring one of the first appearances of yet-undiscovered Wesley Snipes, was released in late 1987.

[bunkerfan]

25th October


In 1854 The infamous "Charge of the Light Brigade" during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War results in over 100 killed.




In 1955 Tappan sells 1st microwave oven.




In 1964 "The Wrong Way Run", Viking Jim Marshall runs 66 yards in wrong direction for a safety (NFL's #1 blooper)




In 1986 For the first time in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, the top three spots were held by female solo acts. Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors' held down the No.1 position, followed by Tina Turner's 'Typical Male' at No.2 and Janet Jackson's 'When I Think Of You' at No.3.

[bunkerfan]

26th October


In 1916 American sex educator Margaret Sanger arrested for obscenity (advocating birth control)




In 1951 Winston Churchill re-elected British Prime Minister at the age of 76.




In 1972 Edwin Land introduces the first truly instant camera the Polaroid SX-70 camera at an event in Miami, Florida.




In 1981 British rock band Queen and David Bowie release their serendipitous collaborative single "Under Pressure."