On This Day

[bunkerfan]

4th March


In 1890 Longest bridge in Great Britain, the Forth Bridge (railway) at 1,710 ft in length is opened in Scotland by the Prince of Wales.




In 1945 United Kingdom's Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II), joins the British Auxiliary Transport Service (ATS) as a driver.




In 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. announces plans for Poor People's Campaign.




In 1974 ABBA released 'Waterloo' the first single from their second album and the first single to be credited to the group performing under the name ABBA. It later became the winning entry for Sweden in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest and a No.1 hit in several countries. It reached the US Top 10 and went on to sell nearly six million copies, making it one of the best-selling singles in history.

[bunkerfan]

5th March


In 1931 Gandhi & British viceroy Lord Irwin sign pact in London - marks end of the Civil Disobedience Movement in India.




In 1946 Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech in Fulton, Missouri, popularized the term and draws attention to the division of Europe.




In 1970 "Airport" based on the book by Arthur Hailey, directed by George Seaton and starring Burt Lancaster and Dean Martin is released.




In 1992 R.E.M. cleaned up in The Rolling Stone Music Awards winning Album of the year, for 'Out Of Time', Artist of the year, Best single for 'Losing My Religion', Best video for 'Losing My Religion' and Best band, Best guitarist and Best songwriter awards.

[bunkerfan]

6th March


In 1831 Edgar Allan Poe court-martialed and dismissed from West Point military academy for gross neglect of duty and disobedience of orders.




In 1933 Eleanor Roosevelt is the 1st First Lady to hold an official Press Conference at the White House.




In 1967 Joseph Stalin's daughter Svetlana Alliluyeva approaches the US Embassy in New Delhi, India, and asks for political asylum.




In 1970 Beatles release single "Let it Be" in UK.

[bunkerfan]

7th March


In 1905 Arthur Conan Doyle publishes "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" collection in London after public pressure to revive his famous detective.




In 1942 1st cadets graduated from flying school at Tuskegee, Alabama.




In 1975 RCA releases "Young Americans", David Bowie's 9th studio album, recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York City; featuring appearances by John Lennon on two tracks, it peaks in the U.S. charts at No. 9, and No. 2 in the U.K.




In 1983 New Order released 'Blue Monday,' as a 12-inch single through Factory Records. The track went on to become the biggest-selling 12-inch single of all time.

[bunkerfan]

8th March


In 1910 Baroness Raymonde de Laroche of Paris becomes the 1st ever licensed female pilot.




In 1945 International Women's Day is 1st observed.




In 1968 Bill Graham's New York rock venue Fillmore East opens in Manhattan.




In 1986 The Young Ones and Cliff Richard release new version of single "Living Doll" for Comic Relief charity.

[bunkerfan]

9th March


In 1891 Great Blizzard of 1891 begins in England and lasts until March 13; Kills 200 people and 6,000 animals.




Born on this day in 1945 - English rock guitarist and vocalist Robin Trower who with Procol Harum, had the 1967 UK No.1 single & US No.5 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale'. He formed the Robin Trower Band in 1973 and has since released over 20 albums.




In 1964 1st Ford Mustang produced.




In 1984 John Lennon single "Borrowed Time" released posthumously.

[bunkerfan]

10th March


In 1876 First telephone call; Alexander Graham Bell says "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you" to his assistant Thomas Watson.




In 1948 1st civilian to exceed speed of sound - Herb H Hoover, Edwards Air Force Base, California.




In 1977 At 7am in the morning on a trestle table set up outside Buckingham Palace, London, the Sex Pistols signed to A&M Records, (the real signing had taken place the day before). An after party was held at the offices of A&M records following the signing where the group set about reeking unforeseen havoc on the posh building, with Sid Vicious smashing a toilet and cutting his foot, trailing blood everywhere he went, while Rotten cursed and threatened every upscale executive in sight and guitarist Steve Jones getting it on with an unnamed fan in the restrooms.The contract lasted for six days.




In 1981 "Bette Davis Eyes" single released by Kim Carnes (Billboard Song of the Year 1981)

[bunkerfan]

11th March


In 1892 1st public basketball game (Springfield, Massachusetts)




Born on this day in 1948 - Dutch guitarist and vocalist George Kooymans from Golden Earring. They achieved worldwide fame with their international hit 'Radar Love' in 1973.




In 1974 Rhino Store gives people 5 cents to take home Danny Bonaduce's Album.




In 1978 The debut single from Kate Bush, 'Wuthering Heights' a song inspired by the Emily Bronte novel, started a four-week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart. Record company, EMI had originally chosen another track, 'James and the Cold Gun' as the lead single, but Bush was determined that 'Wuthering Heights' would be the first release from the album.

[bunkerfan]

12th March


In 1912 Girl Scouts begin in the US as the Girl Guides, formed by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah.




In 1938 Nazi Germany invades Austria (Anschluss)




In 1973 Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In last airs on NBC-TV.




In 2006 Former Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour went to No.1 on the UK album chart with his third solo album On An Island. In 2009 UK radio station Planet Rock held a poll asking listeners to name the 'Greatest Solo Album Written By A Former Band Member'. David Gilmour was voted into first place with On An Island.

[bunkerfan]

13th March


In 1913 Kansas legislature approved censorship of motion pictures.




In 1943 Nazis liquidate the Jewish ghetto in Kraków; Oskar Schindler with advance information, saves his workers by keeping them in his factory overnight.




In 1961 Old type, black & white notes cease to be legal tender.




In 1967 Working at Abbey Road studios in London, six members of Sounds, Inc. recorded the horn parts for The Beatles song 'Good Morning Good Morning' (three saxophones, two trombones, and one french horn).

[bunkerfan]

14th March


In 1913 John D. Rockefeller gives $100 million to Rockefeller Foundation.




In 1948 Freedom Train arrives in San Francisco.




In 1972 Muddy Waters wins his first Grammy Award, for his album"They Call Me Muddy Waters."




In 1992 Farm Aid V held in Irving, Texas; performers include Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Arlo Guthrie, Asleep At The Wheel, Kentucky Headhunters, Texas Tornadoes, Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Paul Simon, and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

[bunkerfan]

15th March


In 1937 First American blood bank in a hospital is opened at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.




In 1949 Cricket's master batsman Don Bradman receives his knighthood from the Governor-General of Australia.




In 1972 "The Godfather", based on the book by Mario Puzo, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, premieres in NYC (Academy Awards Best Picture 1973)




In 1986 The Bangles were at No.2 on the UK singles chart with 'Manic Monday', a song written by Prince under the pseudonym Christopher, it also made No.2 in the US, held of No.1 by Prince with 'Kiss'.

[bunkerfan]

16th March


In 1930 USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) floated out to become a national shrine.




In 1957 9th Emmy Awards: Phil Silvers Show wins best comedy.




In 1972 John Lennon and Yoko Ono are served with deportation papers by US Immigration Department.




In 1977 Paper Lace were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the anti-war pop song 'Billy Don't Be A Hero,' the group's only No.1. Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods scored a US No.1 with their version of the song.

[bunkerfan]

17th March


In 1884 John Joseph Montgomery makes 1st glider flight at Otay, California.




In 1950 Element 98 (Californium) announced.




In 1965 Beatles announce their second film is titled "8 Arms to Hold You" ; later changed to "Help!"




In 1967 Jimi Hendrix Experience released 'Purple Haze' in the UK, (US release was June 19). Hendrix had read Night of Light, a 1966 novel by Philip José Farmer. In the story set on a distant planet, sunspots produced a "purplish haze" which had a disorienting effect on the inhabitants. It is thought that Hendrix took this as the idea for the songs lyrics.

[bunkerfan]

18th March


In 1924 Silent film classic "The Thief of Bagdad" based on One Thousand and One Nights, starring Douglas Fairbanks and directed by Raoul Walsh is released.




In 1952 1st plastic lens for cataract patients fitted (Philadelphia)




In 1966 Scott Paper begins selling paper dresses for $1.




In 1996 Apple Records releases The Beatles "Anthology 2" (double CD/triple LP)", the second of 3-part series of rare recordings and outtakes by the Beatles; set covers the years 1965-68, as well as new collaboration "Real Love" - a John Lennon demo augmented by additional lyrics and performances by the surviving three; album tops record charts in US and UK.

[bunkerfan]

19th March


In 1915 Pluto photographed for 1st time (although unknown at the time)




In 1951 Herman Wouk's novel "The Caine Mutiny" published (Pulitzer Prize 1952)




In 1965 Rembrandt's "Titus" sells for then record 7,770,000 guilders.




In 2006 Shakira was set to become the first pop star to release a single only in the form of a mobile download. The singer's forthcoming release 'Hips Don't Lie' would not be issued in the US as a CD or as a download via the internet but would be available to phone users connected to Verizon.

[bunkerfan]

20th March


In 1854 Boston Public Library opens in Boston, Massachusetts as the first large free municipal library in the US.




In 1952 24th Academy Awards: "An American in Paris", Humphrey Bogart and Vivien Leigh win.




In 1976 American publishing heiress Patty Hearst convicted of armed robbery for her part in a 1974 California heist.




In 1995 Beatles release single, a cover of Shirelles song, "Baby It's You" (written by Burt Bacharach & Mack David), with late John Lennon as lead singer; 1st Fab Four single in nearly 10 years.

[bunkerfan]

21st March


In 1871 Journalist Henry Morton Stanley begins his famous expedition to Africa.




In 1940 "Rebecca" based on the book by Daphne du Maurier, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine premieres in Miami, Florida (Oscar - Best Picture 1941)




In 1980 On season finale cliffhanger of TV show "Dallas", villain J.R. Ewing is shot by unknown assailant.




In 1987 U2 scored their third UK No.1 album with The Joshua Tree featuring the singles 'Where The Streets Have No Name', & 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'. The album became the fastest selling in UK history and the first album to sell over a million CDs, spending a total of 156 weeks on the UK chart. Also a US No.1.

[bunkerfan]

22nd March


In 1895 Auguste & Louis Lumiere show their 1st movie to an invited audience.




In 1944 American movie star James Stewart flies his 12th combat mission, leading the 2nd Bomb Wing in an attack on Berlin.




In 1975 Walt Disney World Shopping Village opens.




In 2009 Lady Gaga started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Poker Face', her second UK chart topper and a No.1 hit in over 20 countries.

[bunkerfan]

23rd March


In 1901 Australian opera star Dame Nellie Melba reveals secret of her now famous toast.




In 1948 John Cunningham sets world altitude record (54,492' (18,133 m)




In 1980 18-year old American tennis star Tracy Austin wins her only WTA Tour Championship; upsets Martina Navratilova in the final 6–2, 2–6, 6–2 in NYC.




In 1985 Julian Lennon's 1st concert (San Antonio Texas)

[bunkerfan]

24th March


In 1882 German scientist Robert Koch discovers and describes the tubercle bacillus which causes tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), and establishes germ theory.




In 1944 RAF rear gunner Nicholas Alkemade survives a jump from his Lancaster bomber 18,000 feet over Germany without a parachute; his fall broken by pine trees and soft snow, suffers only a sprained leg.




In 1979 Columbia flown on carrier aircraft lands at Kennedy Space Center.




In 1985 'Easy Lover' by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins was at No.1 on the UK singles chart. Bailey was a former vocalist with Earth, Wind & Fire. Phil Collins produced, drummed and sang on the track. 'Easy Lover' won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Overall Performance in a Video.

[bunkerfan]

25th March


In 1863 1st US Army Medal of Honor awarded to six army soldiers by US Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in Washington.




In 1937 It is revealed Quaker Oats pays Babe Ruth $25,000 per year for ads.




In 1970 Concorde makes its 1st supersonic flight (700 MPH/1,127 KPH)




In 1975 Linda Ronstadt releases cover of the Everly Brothers' 1960 song "When Will I Be Loved" as a single; climbs to No. 2 in the charts.

[bunkerfan]

26th March


In 1878 Hastings College of Law founded in San Francisco.




In 1943 Elsie S. Ott is 1st woman to be awarded US Air Force Medal.




In 1971 "Cannon" starring William Conrad as a private detective premieres on CBS-TV; airs for 5 seasons.




In 1975 Ken Russell's film "Tommy", based on the rock opera by The Who, premieres in London.

[bunkerfan]

27th March


In 1915 Typhoid Mary [Mary Mallon] is arrested and returned to quarantine on North Brother Island, New York after spending five years evading health authorities and causing several further outbreaks of typhoid.




In 1952 Sun Records of Memphis begins releasing records.




In 1964 1st true Pirate Radio station, Radio Caroline (England)




In 1981 John Lennon's single "Watching the Wheels" released posthumously in UK.

[bunkerfan]

28th March


In 1916 First performance of "Jerusalem" by George Parry set to words by William Blake at a 'Fight for Right' meeting at the Queen’s Hall, London.




Born on this day in 1948 - John Evan, British musician and composer. He is best known for having played keyboards for Jethro Tull from April 1970 to June 1980.




In 1972 Elvis Presley records his final Top Ten hit, a cover of "Burning Love", written by Dennis Linde, and first recorded by Arthur Alexander.




In 1981 Blondie started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Rapture', the group's fourth US No.1 and the first No. 1 song in the US to feature rap and its lyrics, notable for name-checking hip-hop pioneers Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash.

[bunkerfan]

29th March


In 1848 Niagara Falls stops flowing for 30 hours due to an ice jam in the river upstream.




In 1959 "Some Like It Hot", American comedy film directed by Billy Wilder, and starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, premieres at Loew’s Capital Theatre, NYC.




In 1974 Chinese farmers discover the Terracotta Army near Xi'an, 8,000 clay warrior statues buried to guard the tomb of China's 1st emperor, Qin Shi Huang.




In 2001 Brian Wilson was honoured in a three hour tribute at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Guest performances included Billy Joel,Paul Simon, The Go-Gos and the trio of Carly Simon, David Crosby and Jimmy Webb. Also singing Beach Boy songs were Ann and Nancy Wilson, Elton John and Aimee Mann.

[bunkerfan]

30th March


In 1842 Ether used as an anaesthetic for 1st time by Dr Crawford Long (Georgia)




Born on this day in 1945 - Eric Clapton guitarist, singer, songwriter who has been a member of The Roosters, Casey Jones and the Engineers, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Yardbirds and Cream who had the 1967 UK No.11 single 'I Feel Free'. He was a member of Blind Faith, and later formed Derek and the Dominoes who had the 1972 UK No.7 single 'Layla'. As a solo artist Clapton scored the 1974 US No.1 single 'I Shot The Sheriff' and the 1992 UK No.5 & US No.25 single 'Tears in Heaven'.




In 1981 US President Ronald Reagan is shot and wounded in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, three others are also wounded.




In 1987 Prince released his ninth studio album Sign o' the Times which produced three top-ten hit singles, 'If I Was Your Girlfriend', 'U Got the Look', (with Sheena Easton) and the title track 'Sign o' the Times. In 1989, Time Out magazine ranked it as the greatest album of all time.

[bunkerfan]

31st March


In 1918 1st daylight savings time in US goes into effect.




In 1949 RCA Victor of Camden, New Jersey, introduces the 45 RPM record player and the 7-inch single, a vinyl disc more durable than the 78 RPM shellac.




In 1967 1st time Jimi Hendrix burns his guitar (and his fingers) at Finsbury Park Astoria theater in London: the guitar sold at auction for nearly $500K.




In 1990 The Power by Snap was number one in Greece, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100.

[bunkerfan]

1st April


In 1853 Cincinnati becomes 1st US city to employ full time professional firefighters.




In 1927 1st automatic record changer introduced by His Master's Voice.




In 1964 John Lennon is reunited with his father Freddie after 17 years.




In 1985 David Lee Roth quit Van Halen shortly after releasing his version of The Beach Boys 'California Girls', (which featured Carl Wilson on background vocals). He was replaced by Sammy Hagar later in the year.

[bunkerfan]

2nd April


In 1902 "Electric Theatre", the first full-time movie theater in the United States, opens in Los Angeles, California.




In 1956 Soap opera "Edge of Night" premiere on TV.




In 1977 Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" album goes to No. 1 & stays on top of the charts for 31 weeks.




In 2006 A John Lennon schoolbook containing the 12-year-old's drawing of Lewis Carroll's poem The Walrus and the Carpenter was sold at auction for £126,500, ($239,733). The poem inspired Lennon to write The Beatles' 1967 song ‘I Am The Walrus’.