Flashbacks Past

Caution: There are videos and music links strewn throughout this page, which you may be tempted to play at frighteningly loud decibels. iLivediLoved is not responsible for any damages that might occur should you be overcome by the desire to dance!

1924

Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin and Irvine Berlin continue to dominate the music industry and Rhapsody in Blue is played for the very first time... and here it is, as played by the composer.

Tops Songs

• "Arkansaw Blues/Blue Blues" by the Mound City Blue Blowers
• "Charley, My Boy" by Billy Murray, accompanied International Novelty Orchestra, directed Nat Shilkret
• "The Prisoner's Song" by Vernon Dalhart
• "Rhapsody In Blue" by Paul Whiteman's Orchestra with George Gershwin
• "San" by Paul Whiteman & His Jazz Band
• "San/Red Hot!" by the Mound City Blue Blowers & Frank Trumbauer
• "Show Me The Way (To Go Home)" by Ted Lewis & His Jazz Band
• "Tell Me You'll Forgive Me" by International Novelty Orchestra, directed Nat Shilkret, vocal Elliot Shaw
• "What'll I Do?" by Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra

Top Movies

• Sherlock Jr. 
• Greed
• The Thief of Bagdad
• The Last Laugh
• Die Nibelungen: Kriemhilds Rache
• Die Nibelugen: Siegfriend
• The Navigator
• The Iron Horse
• Peter Pan
• He Who Gets Slapped

Top Books
"The Autobiography of Mark Twain" by Mark Twain
"Tamar and Other Poems" by Robinson Jeffers

What Happened In 1924

• US - New York City the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held on 
• The first regular airmail services start in the USA
• Two U.S. Army planes complete the first round-the-world flight in 175 days.
• Ellis Island closes as an immigration entry point to the US
• Hoof and Mouth epidemic in California
• J. Edgar Hoover is appointed Director of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), later changed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 
• 25 people die in Los Angeles from Pneumonic plague
• Egypt - Pharaoh Tutankhamen of Egypt sarcophagus found
• US - The Indian Citizenship Act passed<> <>which confers citizenship on all Native Americans born within the United States
• France - The First ever Winter Olympic games are held in Chamonix, France
• Northern Ireland - Civil Rights demonstrators gunned down by British Army Paratroopers
• Russia - Vladimir Lenin dies and Joseph Stalin begins his bid for leadership.
• France - The Summer Olympics are held in Paris, France
• France - Johnny Weissmuller wins three gold medals at the Paris Summer Olympics

Technology

• US - The IBM corporation was founded
• Inventions Inventors and Country (or attributed to First Use )
• Frozen Food USA by Clarence Birdseye

Born This Year

• Jimmy Carter
• Lee Iacocca
• Doris Day
• Marlon Brando

* * *

1935 

The years of depression continued in 1935 with unemployment still running at 20.1% , and the war clouds were gathering as Germany began to rearm and passed the Nuremburg laws to strip Jews of their civil rights, and Mussolini's Italy attacked Ethiopia. The Gallup Poll was introduced and a reformed drinker named Bill Wilson formed Alcoholics Anonymous, also for the first time a completely synthetic fibre was produced called nylon by a Dupont chemist. Also this was the year of the birth of "Swing" by Benny Goodman and the world was ready to boogie. Persia is renamed to Iran. 

Popular Culture 1935

• Alcoholics Anonymous is founded in New York City
• First Canned beer goes on sale 
• Babe Ruth hit the 714th and final home run of his career 
• Parker Brothers releases the board game Monopoly 
• Porgy and Bess opens in New York 
• Penguin produce the first paperback books

Popular Movies

• Mutiny on the Bounty
• Top Hat
• Bride of Frankenstein
• Captain Blood
• David Copperfield
• The Lives of a Bengal Lancer 
• China Seas
• The 39 Steps
• The Last Days of Pompeii
• The Gold Diggers of 1935

Heaven, I'm in Heaven watching this

Top 10 Songs
1. Fred Astaire, "Cheek to Cheek"
2. Ray Noble, "Isle of Capris"
3. Victor Young, "She's a Latin from Manhattan"
4. Glen Gray, "When I Grow too Old to Dream"
5. Eddy Duchin, "Lovely to Look at"
6. Guy Lombardo, "Red Sails in the Sunset"
7. Fats Waller, "Truckin"
8. Glen Gray, "Blue Moon"
9. Litle Jack Little, "Im in the Mood for Love"
10. Bing Crosby, Red Sails in the Sunset"
plus
Shirley Temple, "Good Ship Lollipop"
Cole Porter, "You're the Top"

Technology

• Germany - The Peoples car ( Volkswagen Beetle ) is launched in Germany
• UK - First Experimental Radar is developed in UK 
• US - GE Starts selling the first Fluorescent Tube for light 
• US - First Parking Meters in Oklahoma City designed by Carl C Magee 
• Toyota Cars are launched in Japan 
• Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use ) 
• Radar (for Aircraft) Scotland by Robert Watson-Watt )
• Helicopter USA by Igor I. Sikorsky )

Cost of Living

• Average Cost of new house $3,450.00 
• Average wages per year $1,600.00 
• Cost of a gallon of Gas 10 cents 
• Average Cost for house rent $22.00 per month 
• A loaf of Bread 8 cents 
• A LB of Hamburger Meat 11 cents 
• Average New Car Price $625.00 
• Canada Dry Ginger Ale 20 Cents 

What Happened

• Germany - The Luftwaffe is created as Germany's air force and Germany announces rearmament in violation of the Versailles Treaty.
• Iran - Persia is renamed as Iran
• UK - Compulsory Driving Test is introduced in England
• U.S. - Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Pacific
• U.S. - President Roosevelt signs the US Social Security Act Providing Unemployment compensation and pensions for the elderly.
• U.S. - President Roosevelt Revenue Act often referred to as the Wealth Tax Act begins
• U.S. - The great Labor Day Category 5 Hurricane with winds approaching 185 mph strikes Florida Keys on
• U.S. - Sir Malcolm Campbell breaks the 300 mph barrier to set a new land speed world record
• U.S. - The China Clipper makes the first Pacific Airmail delivery
• U.S. - The Emergency Relief Appropriation Act creates The WPA or Works Progress Administration to create millions of jobs
• U.S. - 1,200,000 people face starvation in Illinois due to lack of funding.
• U.S. - First Public Housing Project launched in New York
• Pakistan - Earthquake destroys Quetta in modern-day Pakistan - 26,000 dead
• U.S. - First Orange Bowl

Born This Year

• Jerry Lee Lewis
• Julie Andrews
• Luciano Pavarotti
• Gary Player
• Woody Allen
• Sonny Bono
• Dalai Lama
• Elvis Presley
• Donald Sutherland
• Gene Vincent 

* * *

1946 

We’ve chosen to feature 1946 as a complement to this week theme as it marked the establishment of the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the most effective child advocacy organization to date.

Following the end of the war people expected a better life than before the war years with the Great Depression causing poverty and hardship worldwide. There were major shortages in jobs and housing for those returning from war, around the world the start of the baby boom also started as couples married and had children, also there were still shortages of food, and materials. (source: thepeoplehistory.com)

Popular Culture

• Bikinis go on sale in Paris
• The first Cannes Film Festival takes place in Cannes
• Tupperware sold in department and hardware stores
• Dean Martin's musical career begins
• B.B. King's musical career begins
• Frankie Laine records " That's My Desire"
• Bill Haley's professional musical career begins as a member of The Down Homers.

Popular Films

• It's a Wonderful Life
• The Best Years of Our Lives
• Beauty and the Beast
• Notorious
• My Darling Clementine
• The Big Sleep
• Great Expectations
• Stairway to Heaven
• The Killers
• Paisan
• The Postman Always Rings Twice
• Gilda

Popular Musicians

• Frank Sinatra
• Ink Spots
• Bing Crosby
• Duke Ellington
• Andrews Sisters
• *Perry Como - Prisoner of Love was the #1 song of the year

Technology

• AT&T announce first car phones
• Microwave Oven USA by Percy L Spencer 

Cost of Living

How much things cost in 1946:

• Average Cost of new house $5,600.00 
• Average wages per year $2,500.00 
• Cost of a gallon of Gas 15 cents 
• Average Cost of a new car $1,120.00 
• Worlds First Electric Blanket $39.50 
• Men's Ties $1.50 
• Watermans Pen $8.75

Born This Year

• Tommy Lee Jones 
• Susan Sarandon
• Justin Hayward 
• Ted Bundy 
• Candice Bergen 
• Jimmy Buffett 
• George W. 
• Cher 
• Tyne Daly 
• Donovan 
• Sally Field 
• Barry Gibb 
• Freddie Mercury 
• Ilie Nastase 
• Dolly Parton 
• Steven Spielberg 
• Sylvester Stallone
• Peter Sutcliffe 
• Donald Trump 

* * *

1957

1957 saw the continued growth of bigger taller tail fins on new cars and more lights, bigger with more powerful engines and an average car sold for $2,749. The Soviet Union launched the first space satellite Sputnik 1. Movies included "Twelve Angry Men" and "The Bridge Over the River Kwai", and TV showed "Perry Mason" and "Maverick" for the first time. The music continued to be Rock and Roll with artists like "Little Richard". The popular toys were Slinkys and Hula Hoops. The continued growth of the use of credit was shown by the fact that 2/3 of all new cars were bought on credit. Some of the areas that would cause problems later were starting to show South Vietnam is attacked by Viet Cong Guerrillas and Troops are sent to Arkansas to enforce anti segregation laws 

Popular Culture

• Elvis Presley purchases a mansion in Memphis, Tennessee and calls it Graceland
• The Cavern Club opens in Liverpool ( Where the Beetle's started )
• "American Bandstand" the teenagers chart music show makes its network debut on ABC
• The Film Jailhouse Rock premieres with Elvis Presley

Popular Films

• The Bridge on the River Kwai
• The Seventh Seal
• Wild Strawberries
• Sweet Smell of Success
• Witness for the Prosecution
• Paths of Glory
• 12 Angry Men
• The Three Faces of Eve
• The Ten Commandments
• Around the World in Eighty Days
• Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley
• The Pajama Game
• An Affair to Remember
• 3:10 to Yuma
• Peyton Place

Popular Books

• The Cat in the Hat - Dr. Seuss
• From Russia with Love - Ian Fleming
• The Guns of Navarone - Alistair MacLean

Music - Top 10

1.	All Shook Up	Elvis Presley
2.	Love Letters In The Sand	Pat Boone
3.	Jailhouse Rock	Elvis Presley
4.	Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear	Elvis Presley
5.	April Love	Pat Boone
6.	Young Love	Tab Hunter
7.	Tammy	Debbie Reynolds
8.	Honeycomb	Jimmy Rodgers
9.	Wake Up Little Susie	Everly Brothers
10.	You Send Me	Sam Cooke

Television

Perry Mason - based on a fictional defense attorney "Perry Mason" played by the actor Raymond Burr and his faithful secretary, "Della Street" . Series ran from 1957 till 1966. 

The Phil Silvers Show - a comedy television series based on the fun and antics of Sergeant Bilko a master sergeant in the United States Army . Series ran from 1955 till 1959. 

Lassie - an American television series featuring the adventures of Lassie and his human companions which started with 11 year old boy Jeff Miller (1954–1957), seven-year-old Timmy Martin (1957–1964) after that she spent some time with forest rangers and the final years as a companion at a children's home. Series ran from 1954 till 1973. 

The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin - American children's television series about a young boy Rusty played by Lee Aake and his German shepherd dog, Rin Tin Tin in the American West helping to bring law and order to the area. This was one of many fifties TV shows of the period which were focussed on pets and other animals. TV Series ran from 1954 till 1959. 

Before the Simpsons.... there was.... Gunsmoke! - American Cowboy Western drama series adapted from Radio show based in Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The start of the series featured James Arness playing the role of Marshal Matt Dillon which he continued to play for the shows 20 year run and Milburn Stone playing Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams. The programme held the number 1 slot for TV audiences for four years from 1957 to 1961 and was the last of the western cowboy series to end. Series ran from 1955 till 1975. 

American Bandstand originally began as a show on WFIL-TV Channel 6 in Philadelphia just called "Bandstand" in 1952 but changed to "American Bandstand" when it moved to the ABC television network in 1957 where it was hosted by Dick Clark and seen by millions across the US, The years the show were on range in all it's forms went from 1952 - 1989 . The list of groups and music stars reads like a whose who of music over 35 + years and includes some of the biggest stars in the industry including ABBA, The Bay City Rollers, Chuck Berry, David Bowie, Sheena Easton, Aretha Franklin, Bill Haley & His Comets, I could fill five pages just with those stars who appeared. 

The $64,000 Question was one of the most popular of the quiz shows in the fifties, like many off the TV shows of the time they had a single sponsor ( which started as Revlon cosmetics in 1955 ) . The show did not last long after Revelations in the press that quiz shows were made that many of the shows were fixed to ensure the contestant the sponsors wanted to win did win. Original Series ran from 1955 till 1958. 

The Perry Como Show featuring Perry Como was a variety show which ran first as "Perry" on NBC filmed live from the "Chesterfield Supper Club" in 1948. The show moved slots and Times over the year featuring the music of Perry Como and the other popular stars of the day and finally ended in 1963. 

Dragnet was one the many shows from the period that began on radio and moved over to television, Dragent was about police and parts of the show still remain in the memories from those old enough to have seen the series including part of the opening title and these words "Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." The series ran on Television from 1951 - 1959, a new series was created and shown from 1967 - 1970 . 

Cost Of Living 1957

• Yearly Inflation Rate 3.34% 
• Average Cost of new house $12,220.00  
• Average Monthly Rent $90.00  
• Average Yearly Wages $4.550.00  
• Cost of a gallon of Gas 24 cents 
• Bacon per pound 60 cents  
• Eggs per dozen28 cents  
• HI FI Portable Record Player $79.95  
• Children's Shoes $5.95 

Technology 

• Ultrasound scanning pioneered in Scotland
• First Nuclear Reactor plant opens for production of electricity in Pennsylvania US
• The Soviet Union launches Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite to orbit the earth.
• Great Britain tests first hydrogen bomb on the Christmas Island
• The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2. On board is the first animal to enter space - a dog named Laika.

What Events Happened In 1957

• Vietnam - South Vietnam attacked by Viet Cong Guerrillas
• Italy - Treaty of Rome ( The EEC European Economic Community is formed )
• World - The Word Beatnik take hold as words to describe the " Beat Generation "
• Russia - USSR launches Sputnik 1 inaugurating the Space Age and the Space Race
• U.S. - Martin Luther King Jr heads nationwide resistance to racial segregation and discrimination in the US
• U.S. - Toyota starts selling cars in the US, the first is the Toyopet Crown
• U.S. - Authorities arrest dozens of Mafia bosses during a Mafia Bosses meeting at Apalachin, New York,
• UK - Windscale nuclear power plant accident in UK
• U.S.  - Federal Troops sent to Arkansas to enforce anti segregation laws
• UK - Anthony Eden resigns due to his handling of the Suez Crisis - Harold Macmillan becomes the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
• Egypt - Egypt re-opens the Suez Canal
• Malaya - Malaya Gains Independence From Britain
• Singapore - Singapore gains Self Rule
• U.S. - Portable Radar Devices Used To Enforce Speed Limits
• U.S. - Tidal Wave follows Hurricane Audrey into coasts of Texas and Louisiana
• U.S. - The National Guard on the order of Governor Orval Faubus is used to prevent nine African American students from entering Central High School in Little Rock and shortly after Federal troops charge defiant protesters with fixed bayonets to ensure nine African American Students can attend Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas
• U.S. - The Mackinac suspension bridge opens connecting the Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan.
• UK - Foot and Mouth in England Reaches epidemic proportions with 30,000 animals slaughtered
• World - Asian Flu pandemic claims over 150,000 lives world wide
• World - 1957 was the peak of the Baby Boomer years
• U.S. - The House for Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) convicts a number of writers and playwright's for Un-American Activities / Communist party membership
• Haiti - Physician Francois Duvalier PAPA DOC becomes president of Haiti
• Ghana - Ghana Gains Independence From Great Britain

Born This Year

• Jayne Torvill 
• Nancy Cartwright 
• Donny Osmond 
• Gloria Estefan 

* * *

1969

The year we've chosen to feature this week has little to do with beautiful seaside sunsets... unless it be a view of the sun as it sets over the Sea of Tranquility... On July 20th one of man's crowning achievements occurred when American Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the Moon and uttered the immortal words "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."  

The opposition to the war continued to increase with more and more attending anti war demonstrations and demanding that the US withdrew from Vietnam. The music came from groups including the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and the Beatles and the most famous music festival of modern times "WOODSTOCK" took place on a New York Farm on August 15th - 17th with more than 400,000 avid music fans attending to see the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Crosby Stills Nash and Young and others perform live. fashions reflected the anti war sentiment with military jackets adorned with peace signs, and other trends including long unkempt wild hair and headbands showed the feelings of anti establishment felt by the youth.

Popular Culture 1969

• A free concert organized by the Rolling Stones is held at Altamont Speedway in Livermore, Calif with problems caused by the use of Hells Angels as Bouncers resulting in a number of deaths
• The Groundbreaking TV program Monty Python's Flying Circus is shown for the first time and the catch phrase "And now for something completely different," becomes their trade mark
• Sesame Street known for its Muppet characters, makes it's debut on PBS
• Bell Bottom Jeans and tie-dye shirts become part of the teenage fashion scene.
• The John Lennon Album "Two Virgins" featuring John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the nude are confiscated at Newark Airport
• The Beatles' last public performance, on the roof of Apple Records.
• The Beatles release their album Abbey Road.
• Sesame Street debuts on Public Television
• Brian Jones Former Rolling Stones Guitarist drowns after drinking and drugs binge.

Popular Films

• The Love Bug
• Funny Girl
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
• True Grit
• Midnight Cowboy
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• Easy Rider
• Where Eagles Dare

Popular Musicians

• The Rolling Stones " Honky Tonk Woman "
• James Brown
• The Beatles with " Get Back and Come Together "
• Johnny Cash " Daddy Sang Bass "
• Bob Dylan
• Crosby, Stills and Nash
• Creedence Clearwater Revival
• John Denver
• Simon and Garfunkel
• Fleetwood Mac
• Marvin Gaye
• The Jimi Hendrix Experience
• Cream
• Pink Floyd
• " In The Year 2525 " by Zager and Evans
• " Sugar Sugar " by The Archies
• Elton John
• David Bowie

Top 10 Songs

• Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
• Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival
• I Want You Back - Jackson 5
• Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones
• Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - Crosby, Stills & Nash
• Dazed And Confused - Led Zeppelin
• Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
• Come Together - Beatles
• I Can't Get Next To You - Temptations

Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (1969) jeromesz

Popular TV Shows

The Saint

The Saint played by Roger Moore based on a fictional detective created by Leslie Charteris for a series of stories written in the 20s. The Saint is remembered for driving a white Volvo P1800 and a halo appearing over his head during the opening credits. Series ran from 1966 till 1969. 

Ironside

Ironside an American crime drama television series starring Raymond Burr as Ironside. Series ran from 1967 till 1975. 

Hogan's Heroes

Hogans Heroes an American comedy series based in a German Prisoner of War Camp during World War II with Werner Klemperer as the commandant of the camp Colonel Wilhelm Klink and Bob Crane as Colonel Robert E. Hogan. The series is also remembered for the bumbling Sergeant Schultz who used the quote "I know nothing – nothing !" in order to avoid being blamed. Series ran from 1965 till 1971. 

The Benny Hill Show

The Benny Hill Show was a British comedy sketch show featuring Benny Hill ( the show originally was produced in 1955 by the BBC ), but most remember the shows created by Thames Television. The show was syndicated round the world including the United States but due to the extremely risque material ( Often called close to the knuckle of what is considered acceptable ) of many scenes they were edited out of the U.S. television versions. The show typically closed with a sped-up chase scene involving himself and a crew of scantily-clad women which offended many ( The video is one of those type so if you would not find it funny best not to watch. ) Series ran from 1969 till 1989. 

Monty Python’s Flying Circus

Monty Python’s Flying Circus was a British comedy sketch show featuring surreal, risque and innuendo-laden humour, the show format allowed the team of ( (Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman American-born member Terry Gilliam ) to create a different kind of genre of comedy that still stands today. Many TV sketch shows do not translate to later audiences but Monty Python gains new followers from each new generation and still pull in large audiences today when shown. "And Now for Something Completely Different" Series ran from 1969 till 1974 with 45 episodes. 

The Brady Bunch

The Brady Bunch was based on a large family when Mike Brady ( three sons ) marries Carol Martin ( three daughters ) and together with the live-in housekeeper and the family dog move into a suburban home. Series ran from 1969 till 1974. 

Peyton Place

Peyton Place was an American soap opera set in Peyton Place a small New England town. I can remember my mother watching it and ensuring children did not disturb her during the show which put Mia Farrow and Ryan O'Neal on the road to stardom. Series ran from 1964 till 1969. 

Doctor Who

Doctor Who British science fiction series enjoyed by each generation with current series restarted in 2005, The Doctor is a mysterious alien Time Lord who travels through time with his human assistant with the TARDIS most often portrayed as a blue British 1950s police box. Over the decades there have been many Doctor Who's played by William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy. Each generation has their own favorites for the best Doctor. Original Series ran from 1963 till 1989. 

Columbo

Columbo American crime fiction TV series starring Lieutenant Columbo a detective from the Los Angeles Police Department played by Peter Falk. The distinguishing features of the series are the scruffiness of Columbo and his old car and his way of going back to ask the questions of the suspected criminal after his original interview. Series ran from 1968 till 2003. 

The Virginian

The Virginian ( changed to The Men from Shiloh 1971 ) a TV based western series starring James Drury as The Virginian and Doug McClure as Trampas based at Shiloh Ranch, Medicine Bow, Wyoming,. Series ran from 1962 till 1971. 

Bewitched

Bewitched American TV series about a witch Samantha played by Elizabeth Montgomery married to a mortal Darrin Stephens. Gentle fun comedy which also featured the mother in law Endora played by Agnes Moorehead who despises mortals and disapproved of the marriage. How we all we wished we could twitch our nose to make things happen. Series ran from 1964 till 1972. 

I Dream Of Jeannie

I Dream of Jeannie American TV comedy about a 2,000 year old female genie played by Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman her master. The series was created following the success of Bewitched. Series ran from 1965 till 1970. 

Get Smart

Get Smart comedy based on the useless secret agent Maxwell Smart played Don Adams, even with his lack of spy credentials through pure good luck he always wins his battles. . Series ran from 1965 - 1970. 

Green Acres

Green Acres was an American television series starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor about a couple who moved from New York City to a farm in the country . Series ran from 1965 - 1971. 

My Three Sons

My Three Sons was an American Situation Comedy about a widower Steve Douglas, played by Fred MacMurray and his three sons first on ABC and later on CBS , the show ran from 1960 to 1972 

Technology

• First Concorde test flight is conducted In France
• First transplant of human eye
• Seiko sells the first Quartz Watch
• The Palestine Liberation Organization ( PLO ) is founded
• The first automatic teller machine ATM or Cash Machineis installed in the United States
• Creation of ARPANET, the predecessor of the Internet
• The Boeing 747 jumbo jet makes its debut. It carried 191 people, most of them reporters and photographers, from Seattle to New York City.
• UNIX is developed by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs
• The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am the epitome of the American muscle car is introduced.
• The Microprocessor ( a miniature set of integrated circuits ) is invented opening the way for the computer revolution that followed

Inventions &/or First Use 

• Internet 
• Cash Dispenser Turkey 
• Battery Powered Smoke Detector 

Cost Of Living

• Yearly Inflation Rate USA 5.46 % 
• Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 800 
• Average Cost of new house $15,550.00 
• Average Income per year $8,550.00 
• Average Monthly Rent $135.00 
• Average Cost New Car $3,270.00 
• Toyota Corona $1,950.00 
• Gas per Gallon 35 cents 
• Alarm Clock from Westclox $9.98

What Events Happened

• Richard Nixon becomes President of the United States
• 250,000 march on Washington in protest of the Vietnam War
• RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 entered service
• Golda Meir of Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, USA, becomes Prime Minister of Israel
• Robin Knox-Johnston becomes the first person to sail around the world solo without stopping
• The US institutes the draft lottery to determine draft into US Forces for Vietnam War
• The very first U.S. troop withdrawals are made from Vietnam
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Established
• Police raid Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in New York City ending The Stonewall Riot
• Chappaquiddick Affair Senator Edward Kennedy driving a car plunges into a pond and a body of a woman passenger is found in the car
• Wal-Mart incorporates as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc
• The trial begins of "Chicago Seven" accused of inciting riot at 1968 Democratic National Convention
• Woodstock attracts more than 350,000 rock-n-roll fans
• The U.S. Air Force closed its Project ( Blue Book ) concluding there was no evidence of UFO's

Born This Year 

• Jeff Moore
• Catherine Zeta-Jones 
• Brett Favre 
• Renee Zellweger 
• Jennifer Aniston 

* * *

1972 

Popular Films

• The Godfather
• Fiddler on the Roof
• Diamonds Are Forever
• What's Up, Doc?
• Dirty Harry
• The Last Picture Show
• A Clockwork Orange
• Cabaret

Popular Musicians and songs

• ABBA
• Roxy Music
• The Eagles
• John Lennon
• Paul Simon
• Simon and Garfunkel
• Rod Stewart
• *Don Mclean with "American Pie" 
• Michael Jackson with "Ben" 
• Elton John
• The Moody Blues
• David Bowie
• Led Zeppelin

*Written about the plane crash that ended the prodigious careers of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, Bye Bye Miss American Pie is more than an anthem -- it is consistently voted as the greatest Rock & Roll song of all time.

Do you remember this song?  What was life like for you at the time of its release?

Popular TV Programs

• Monty Python's Flying Circus
• Sesame Street
• The Benny Hill Show
• The Brady Bunch
• Dad's Army
• Hawaii Five-O
• Here's Lucy

News! "Bobby Fischer beats Boris Spassky to become the World Chess Champion in Reykjavik, Iceland"

Cost Of Living 1972

Yearly Inflation Rate USA 3.27% 
Yearly Inflation Rate UK 6.4% 
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 1020 
Average Cost of new house $27,550.00 
Average Income per year $11,800.00 
Average Monthly Rent $165.00 
Cost of a gallon of Gas 55 cents 
Roxanne Ladies Swimsuit $30.00 
Kodak Pocket Camera $28.00
Wrangler Jeans $12.00 
ladies Timex WatchFrom $30.00 

Technology 1972

• HBO launched in US as the first subscription cable service
• Richard Nixon orders the start for the space shuttle program
• Apollo 16 lands on the moon where the Lunar Rover is tested by astronauts John W Young and Charles M Duke
• Apollo 17 lands on the moon and the last men to walk on the moon are Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan
• Digital Watches are introduced
• First scientific hand-held calculator (HP-35) introduced (price $395).
• The Volkswagen Beetle becomes the most popular car ever sold with in excess of 15 million sold.
• Atari kicks off the first generation of video games with the release of PONG, the first game to achieve commercial success

* * *

1981

1981 Many notable technological advances happened in 1981 one of the most exciting was the First Flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. This was also the first year that the Word Internet was mentioned and MS-DOS was released by Microsoft along with the first IBM PC. On the world stage the events that captured the imagination included Lady Diana Spencer marrying Charles The Prince of Wales. In Politics a little known group before Solidarity inspire popular protests and a general strike in Poland and the government in the UK starts the process of privatization of Nationalized Industries which is later followed by many other countries around the world. MTV (Music Television) is launched August 1st.  Simon And Garfunkel Reunite for concert in New Yorks Central Park.

Popular Films

• Raiders of the Lost Ark
• Superman II
• Nine to Five
• Any Which Way You Can
• Arthur
• The Cannonball Run
• For Your Eyes Only
• On Golden Pond
• Chariots of Fire

Billboard's Top 10 Songs 

1. Bette Davis Eyes, Kim Carnes

2. Endless Love, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

3. Lady, Kenny Rogers

4. (Just Like) Starting Over, John Lennon 

5. Jessie's Girl, Rick Springfield 

6. Celebration, Kool and The Gang 

7. Kiss On My List, Daryl Hall and John Oates 

8. I Love a Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbitt 

9. 9 to 5, Dolly Parton 

10. Keep On Loving You, REO Speedwagon

Popular Musicians

• John Lennon
• Blondie
• Dolly Parton 
• Sheena Easton
• Diana Ross and Lionel Richie  
• Olivia Newton-John 
• Roxy Music
• Bucks Fizz
• Adam and The Ants
• Michael Jackson
• Queen
• David Bowie

Cost Of Living 1981

• How Much things cost in 1981
• Yearly Inflation Rate USA10.35% 
• Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 875 
• Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 15.75% 
• Average Cost of new house $78,200.00 
• Average Income per year $21,050.00 
• Average Monthly Rent $315.00 
• Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.25 
• Sinclair ZX80 $199.95 
• 19 inch Color TV $399.95

Technology

the post-it note never looked so good

• Scientists identifyThe Aids Virus
• First Flight of US Space Shuttle Columbia
• The European Rocket "Ariane" is launched
• IBM in US launches it's first PC which uses Microsoft Software MS DOS
• The term INTERNET first mentioned
• Post It Notes launched by 3M Corp
• The Worlds Fastest Train The French TGV goes into service between Paris and Lyons
• China Clones the first fish ( Golden Carp )
• Artificially Produced Insulin becomes the worlds first genetically engineered protein to treat human disease Diabetes
• MS-DOS released by Microsoft

Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country (or attributed to First Use)

Space Shuttle USA Columbia was first reusable space vehicle

Scanning Tunneling Microscope Switzerland

Events in 1981

• Iran - Iran releases 52 American hostages, who had been held for 444 days
• Poland - Solidarity inspired popular protests and general strike lead to imposition of Marshal Law and eventual outlawing of solidarity party in Poland
• UK - Thatcher Government in England begin privatisation of Nationalised Industries creating economic revival , this format is later emulated in many other countries throughout the world
• U.S. - Air traffic controllers strike causing chaos in the US and The US President Ronald Reagan Fires Them
• Northern Ireland - Irish Republican Army member Bobby Sands dies on May 5th while on the hunger strike, During that time Bobby Sands is elected to Westminster as the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
• U.S. - Ronald Reagan becomes US President
• France - The first high speed train service in Europe begins with the French TGV / high-speed train between Paris and Lyon
• UK - Following plans between European Countries and the US to base Nuclear Missiles in Europe protesters including those at Greenham Common picket US bases
• U.S. - Anti nuclear protesters invade the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Reactor in California
• U.S. - Researchers find the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic
• U.S. - Muhammad Ali finally retires with career record of 55 wins and 5 defeats
• U.S. - US brings in new disability eligibility rules for those claiming disability affecting 500,000 who lose benefits
• UK - Rupert Murdoch shuts down the Sunday Times due to an industrial dispute
• U.S. - Washington Post reporter Janet Cooke admits her feature was fabricated and relinquished the Pulitzer Prize
• U.S. - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states could require parental notification when teenage girls seek abortions .
• UK - Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper is caught, and imprisoned for life for 13 counts of murder
• Greece - Earthquake hits Athens, killing 16 people
• Vatican - Pope John Paul II, is shot but not killed in Vatican City
• UK - Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales.
• Egypt - Egyptian president Anwar Sadat is assassinated
• U.S. - Sandra Day O'Connor is nominated to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
• U.S. - The first American test-tube baby, is born
• UK - Riots break out in a number of UK Cities including Brixton ( London ), Toxteth ( Liverpool ), and Moss Side ( Manchester )
• U.S. - The introduction of the first Frequent Flyer Miles AAdvantage introduced by American Airlines ( frequent flyer miles can be redeemed for free air travel )
• UK - The First London Marathon is Run In England

Born This Year 1981

• Jennifer Tisdale 
• Allison Crowe 
• Britney Spears 
• Justin Timberlake 

* * *

1983

The worlds most popular word processing program is launched -- Microsoft Word. Following on from the start of the recession in the US Unemployment Rises to 12 million. In Ethiopia, following the worst drought in history, the death toll reaches a staggering 4 million. The US starts deploying Cruise Missiles and Pershing Missiles in Europe at the Greenham Common Air Force Base in England and West Germany amid mass protests.

Popular Culture

• Final Episode of M*A*S*H airs record 125 million watch
• Cabbage Patch Dolls are sold in shops and become a success
• West German news magazine Stern publish the Hitler Diaries which turn out to be Forgeries

Popular Films

• The Right Stuff
• Local Hero
• Christmas Story
• Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
• Tootsie
• Trading Places
• WarGames
• Superman III
• Flashdance
• Staying Alive
• Octopussy
• National Lampoon's Vacation
• Never Say Never Again
• Terms of Endearment
• Yentl
• Educating Rita

who could sit still watching this?... what a feeling!

Top Songs

1. Every Breath You Take - Police

2. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

3. Flashdance...What A Feeling - Irene Cara

4. Down Under - Men At Work

5. Beat It - Michael Jackson

6. Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

7. Maneater - Daryl Hall and John Oates

8. Baby, Come to Me - Patti Austin and James Ingram

9. Flashdance, Maniac - Michael Sembello

10. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Eurythmics

11. Do You Really Want to Hurt Me - Culture Club

also.... 

• Jump - Van Halen
• Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
• Holiday - Madonna
• Blue Monday - New Order
• Relax -  Frankie Goes to Hollywood
• Karma Chameleon - Culture Club
• Sunday, Bloody Sunday - U2

Popular Musicians

• Phil Collins
• The Police 
• Hot Chocolate
• Big Country
• Black Sabbath
• David Bowie
• Johnny Cash
• Culture Club
• Duran Duran
• Elton John
• Pink Floyd
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Lionel Richie 
• Rod Stewart
• Michael Jackson
• The Moody Blues
• Bob Marley and the Wailers

Popular Television Shows

Hill Street Blues - American TV Series police drama about the staff of a police precinct in an unnamed American city starting with "roll call" and the often quoted "Let's be careful out there" before the officers go on the beat. Series ran from 1981 - 1987. 

Knight Rider - featuring Knight Industries Two Thousand (KITT) a talking car with artificial intelligence ( Car was a tricked out Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ) driven by Michael Knight played by David Hasselhoff fighting crime using the super car which could be remote controlled. Series ran from 1982 - 1986. 

Fame - TV series featuring music and dancing from the students and faculty of the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Series ran from 1982 - 1987. 

Cagney & Lacey featuring Sharon Gless as Christine Cagney and Tyne Daly as Mary Beth Lacey who were two New York City police detectives from very different backgrounds Cagney a single, career-minded woman and Lacey a married working mother. The series as well as gaining high ratings also won an Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Drama six straight years in a row. Series ran from 1982 - 1988. 

The A Team was an American television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces starring John "Hannibal" Smith played by George Peppard, Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck "Face", Capt. H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock and Sgt. B.A. "Bad Attitude" Baracus who work as soldiers of fortune. The show created a number of well known catch phrases "Hannibal" "I love it when a plan comes together" and BA Baracus "I ain't gettin' on no plane!". Series ran from 1983 - 1987.

Cheers was an American situation comedy television series based in the bar Cheers ( was actually called The Bull & Finch Pub ) in Boston, Stars on the series included Sam Malone played by Ted Danson, Diane Chambers played by Shelley Long and Kelsey Grammer played by Frasier Crane . Series ran from 1982 - 1993. 

Technology

• ARPANET officially changes to use the Internet Protocol,creating the Internet.
• Lotus 1-2-3 is released
• IBM releases the IBM PC XT
• US Space Shuttle Challenger is launched on it's maiden flight
• Microsoft Word is first released
• The First Person to Receive an Artificial Heart Barney Clark US dies after 112 days
• Swatch introduce their first watches

Cost Of Living

• Yearly Inflation Rate USA - 3.22% 
• Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 1258 
• Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 11.00% 
• Average Cost of new house $82,600.00 
• Average Income per year $21,070.00 
• Average Monthly Rent $335.00 
• Dodge RAM 50 Truck $5665.00 
• Below are some Prices for UK guides in Pounds Stirling 
• Average House Price 34,795 

What Happened

• UK - Seatbelt use for drivers and front seat passengers becomes mandatory in the United Kingdom.
• Lebanon - The U.S Embassy is bombed in Beirut, killing 63 people
• U.S. - Unemployment Rises in the US to 12 million the highest figure since 1941
• UK - IRA Bomb Exploded outside Harrods on December 17th during the pre Christmas Shopping Season
• U.S. - Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast, killing 22
• Ethiopia - Ethiopia Appeals for world Aid for when the death toll reaches4 million
• World - The Worlds Population is estimated at 4.72 billion
• Philippines - The Philippines opposition leader, Benigno Aquino, assassinated
• China - China's Population reaches 1 billion
• Rhodesia / Zimbabwe - Civil War breaks out in Zimbabwe
• U.S. - A 5.2 earthquake hits Central New York
• U.S. - Richard Noble sets a new land speed record of 633.468 mph, driving Thrust 2 at the Black Rock Desert, Nevada.
• UK - Due to the deployment of Cruise Missiles in the UK CND organises marches and rallies with over 200,000 attending.
• UK - Brinks Mat warehouse robbery at Heathrow Airport making off with three tons of gold bars valued at $37.5 million
• Northern Ireland - Mass prisoner breakout from Maze High Security Prison near Lisburn, Northern Ireland
• Lebanon - A Terrorist attack by a suicide bomber destroys the United States Embassy in Beirut, killing 63
• U.S. - The first mobile phones, are introduced to the public by the Motorola Company.
• UK - Breakfast TV starts in UK with the BBC Breakfast Time and TV-am
• Space - Sally Ride on 18th June becomes first American woman in space on the Space Shuttle Challenger.
• UK - The US deploys Cruise Missiles in Europe at the Greenham Common Air Force Base in England and Deploys Pershing Missiles in West Germany
• U.S. - President Ronald Reagan proposes the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)
• UK - Margaret Thatcher wins landslide victory in General Elections in the UK

* * *

1985 

Mar 21, 1985 - Rick Hansen, wheelchair athlete (b at Port Alberni, BC 26 Aug 1957). Inspired by the example of his friend, Terry FOX, Hansen left Vancouver 21 Mar 1985 to travel, in a wheelchair, the equivalent of the distance around the world. With the goal of seeking to increase public support and awareness of the capabilities of the physically disabled, his "Man in Motion" tour raised $20 million which is to be directed to spinal cord research, rehabilitation and wheelchair .

As the spread of AIDS increases, governments round the world start screening blood donations for AIDS. On the technology front, the first .com is registered and the first version of Windows is released, Ver 1.0 . Terrorists continue to perform acts of terrorism including the hijack of TWA Flight 847 and the Italian Cruise Liner "Achille Lauro." Famine in Ethiopia is shown more on TV news in July and Live Aid concerts around the world raise millions to help the starving in Africa asthe pop industry in U.S.  joins together to sing "We Are The World."

Popular Culture 1985

• Various artists, including Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner and Stevie Wonder, record the song "We Are The World" as USA for Africa raise money for famine relief
• Michael Jackson Buys ATV Music and every Beatles Song for $47 million
• Coca-Cola Company introduces New Coke (6 months later they returned to the original formula)

Popular Films

• Back to the Future
• Rambo: First Blood Part II
• Rocky IV
• The Color Purple
• Out of Africa
• Cocoon
• Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment
• A View to a Kill
• Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
• *The Breakfast Club

Popular Musicians

• *Simple Minds release of "Don't You Forget About Me"
• Duran Duran
• Madonna with " Crazy for You "
• Bruce Springsteen
• Dire Straits with " Money for Nothing "
• The Cure
• David Bowie
• Phil Collins
• " We Are The World " ny USA For Africa featuring many artists for Aid For Africa

Cost Of Living 

• Yearly Inflation Rate USA 3.55% 
• Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 1546 
• Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 10.75% 
• Average Cost of new house $89,330.00 
• Average Income per year $22,100.00 
• Average Monthly Rent $375.00 
• Average Price for new car$9,005.00 
• 1 gallon of gas $1.09 
• Movie Ticket $2.75 
• U.S. Postage Stamp 22 cents 
• Bacon per pound $1.65

Technology

• The Food and Drug Administration approves a blood test for AIDS
• The first .com domain name, symbolics.com, is registered by the Symbolics Corporation. However, .edu domains, for educational institutions, still predominate over the commercial .com ones
• MicroSoft Corporation releases the first version of Windows, Windows 1.0
• Switzerland is the first country to bring into law catalytic converters must be fitted to private cars
• Compact discs are introduced to American consumers
• The Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched
• UK starts screening blood donations for AIDS
• British scientists discover a hole in the earth's ozone layer

What Events Happened

• TWA Flight 847 is hijacked by Hezbollah on June 14th
• EgyptAir Flight 648 is hijacked and ends in the loss of 56 passengers during the commando raid to rescue them
• The Italian Cruise Liner "Achille Lauro" is hijacked by Palestinian Terrorists
• The British Coal Miners Strike ends and coal mines continue to be closed
• The first mobile phone call Is made in the UK by Ernie Wise
• Mikhail Gorbachev replaces Konstantin Chernenko as Soviet leader
• President Reagan and Soviet Leader Gorbachev meet for the first time in Switzerland
• The Greenpeace vessel, the Rainbow Warrior, is bombed and sunk in Auckland harbor by French DGSE agents
• Live Aid pop concerts in Philadelphia and London raise over $50 million for famine relief in Ethiopia
• 8.1 Richter scale earthquake strikes Mexico City. More than 9,000 people are killed
• Terry Anderson kidnapped in Beirut, Lebanon
• Boris Becker becomes youngest winner at 17 to win the men's Wimbledon championships
• A joint American-French expedition locates the wreck of the RMS Titanic.
• The Unabomber kills his first victim
• New York Stock Exchange Closes For The day For Hurricane Gloria
• Insurance companies begin screening for Aids for life insurance causing outcry by civil liberties groups.
• Mafia Boss Paul Castellano is shot on orders of John J. Gotti
• Crowd Violence Erupts during the European Cup Final at Heysel Stadium in Brussels causing a wall to collapse killing 39 football fans. - Following Heysel Stadium Disaster English Soccer Clubs banned From European Competition
• A massive car bomb in Beirut, Lebanon leaves 175 injured and 45 people dead
• South Africa Invades Angola
• Riots and protests continue in Townships In South Africa against apartheid policies

* * *

1994

"Come as you are..."

• After many years the English Channel is opened joining England to France for the first time
• This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Allied landings in France and the beginning of the end of the Second World War
• Tensions start over Inspection of Nuclear Plants in North Korea.
• Rover in the UK is purchased by BMW
• In the US the First Genetically Engineered Tomatoes become available and the use and sale of GM Foods is approved 
• Lisa Marie Presley marries Michael Jackson<
• Nirvana, Kurt Cobain commits suicide

Top 10 Songs

1. The Sign - Ace Of Base (see video below) 2. I Swear - All-4-One 3. I'll Make Love to You - Boyz II Men 4. The Power of Love - Celine Dion 5. Hero - Mariah Carey 6. Stay (I Missed You) - Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories 7. Breathe Again - Toni Braxton 8. All for Love - Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting 9. All That She Wants - Ace Of Base 10. Don't Turn Around - Ace Of Base

Popular Musicians

• Bryan Adams
• Rod Stewart
• Sting
• Sheryl Crow 
• Bon Jovi
• Erasure
• Aerosmith
• Janet Jackson
• Pearl Jam
• Phil Collins
• Snoop Doggy Dogg
• Alice in Chains
• Boys II Men 
• Rolling Stones
• Blind Melon
• Celine Dion with Power of Love
• Beastie Boys

Popular Films  

Forrest.... Forrest Gump

• Forrest Gump
• The Lion King (Disney)
• True Lies
• The Santa Clause
• The Flintstones
• Dumb & Dumber
• Clear and Present Danger
• Speed
• The Mask
• Pulp Fiction
• Four Weddings and a Funeral
• Miracle on 34th Street
• Muriels Wedding
• Star Trek: Generations

Popular TV Shows

The X Files TV Series working on the assumption that the government covered up multiple cases of extraterrestrial life, with Fox Mulder played by David Duchovny and Dana Scully played by Gillian Anderson trying to uncover and prove the existence of extraterrestrial life. Series ran from 1993 till 2002. 

Friends TV American situation comedy based around the lives, loves and relationships of six friends Jennifer Aniston playing Rachel Green, Courteney Cox Arquette playing Monica Geller, Lisa Kudrow playing Phoebe Buffay, Matt LeBlanc playing Joey Tribbiani, Matthew Perry playing Chandler Bing and David Schwimmer playing Ross Geller. Series ran from 1994 till 2004. 

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a TV sitcom featuring Will Smith as a kid from inner city West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who is sent to live with his wealthy aunt Vivian and uncle Philip Banks and cousins Carlton and Hilary in Bel Air, California. The comedy of the series is loosely based around the differences between a well educated Carlton and a street smart kid from the inner city who needs to adapt to a wealthy life style including the house having their own Butler. ( Series ran from 1990 to 1996. 

The Jerry Springer Show

• Law & Order
• America's Funniest Home Videos
• One Foot in the Grave (UK)
• Rugrats
• The Jerry Springer Show
• The Ren & Stimpy Show
• Absolutely Fabulous
• Beavis and Butt-head
• Frasier
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
• NYPD Blue
• Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
• The Late Show with David Letterman
• The X-Files

Technology

• Worlds First Satellite Digital Television Service Launched
• Netscape Navigator released quickly becoming market leader for browsing the web
• Java programming language first released from Sun Microsystems
• Scientists in Southern England estimate the oldest Europeans at 500,000 years old
• The Channel Tunnel, which took 15,000 workers over seven years to complete, and is 31 miles long joining France and England opens on
• The European Fighter Aircraft "Eurofighter" has makes its inaugural test flight after 10 years in development

Cost Of Living

• Yearly Inflation Rate USA 2.61% 
• Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 3834 
• Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 8.50% 
• Average Cost of new house $119,050.00 
• Average Income per year $37,070.00 
• Average Monthly Rent $533.00 
• Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.09 
• Movie Ticket $4.08 
• Average cost of new car $12,350.00 
• Loaf of Bread $1.59 
• Dozen Eggs 86 cents 

What Happened

• U.S. - Tonya Harding wins the national Figure Skating championship title but is stripped of her title following an attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan.
• Rwanda - Intermittent Civil War in Rwanda between Majority Hutus and minority Tutsis after assassination of President estimates of 1/2 million people killed in civil wars
• South Africa  - ANC triumphs in first Multiracial elections Nelson Mandella becomes president of South Africa
• UK - Channel Tunnel opened on between England and France
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - Serbia continues attacks on Bosnia
• Haiti - Haiti invaded by US democracy restored
• France - In France celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the Allied landings ( the start of the ending of the second world war )
• U.S. - First Genetically Engineered Tomatoes Available use of GM Foods in US approved
• U.S.  - Northridge Earthquake, magnitude 6.7, hits the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles
• Germany - German luxury car manufacturer BMW announces the purchase of Rover from British Aerospace
• Switzerland - 48 members of the Order of the Solar Tradition Cult commit suicide to escape the hypocrisies and oppression of this world.
• U.S. - OJ Simpson flees police in his white ford bronco
• U.S. - Major League Baseball Players Association begin 232 day strike causing 1994 season to be cancelled
• U.S. - Orange County, Calif. files for bankruptcy protection
• Palestine - PLO leader Yasser Arafat returns to Palestine after 27 years in exile
• North Korea - North Korea Tensions over inspections of Nuclear Plants
• South Korea  - The Seongsu suspension bridge over the Han River in Seoul collapses killing 32.
• Finland - Estonian Ferry Estonia sinks in the Baltic sea off the coast of Finland over 900 dead
• Somalia - The Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro is destroyed during a fire of the coast of Somalia
• Russia - Russian President Boris Yeltsin orders tanks and troops into the rebel region of Chechnya to restore order
• UK - The New UK Lottery Introduced with an estimated jackpot of £7m
• UK - New Sunday Trading Laws allows shops in Britain to open legally on Sundays
• UK - Frederick West serial killer together with his wife Rosemary West, was responsible for the murder of at least twelve young women
• U.S. - Tornado outbreak occurs in Southeastern United States
• Ethiopia - The journal Nature reports the finding in Ethiopia of the first complete Australopithecus afarensis skull
• Italy - Ayrton Senna of Brazil, age 34, is tragically killed during theSan Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy
• Jordan - Jordan and Israel sign a peace treaty ending state of war that has existed between the nations since 1948.
• Northern Ireland - The Irish Republican Army announces a "complete cessation of military operations"
• UN - The United Nations Peace Keeping Force Withdraws From Somalia following attacks by militia
• U.S. - The Whitewater scandal investigation begins
• U.S. - The North American Free Trade Agreement ( Making The Largest Trading Bloc of Countries In The World ) United States, Canada and Mexico.
• Norway - Norwegian voters Vote No To Joining The European Union
• Congo - A New Outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Zaire which continues in 1995 ( highest case fatality rates of any human pathogenic virus, roughly 90%. )
• U.S. - Violent wildfires destroy 286,000 acres in Montana.
• UK - Eurostar rail service carrying passengers between London, Paris and Brussels is launched
• Brazil - Brazil Wins 1994 World Cup in United States
• Norway - The Winter Olympic Games are held in Lillehammer, Norway

* * *

Misc.:

29 June 

1613: London's Globe Theatre destroyed by fire

During a performance of William Shakespeare's Henry VIII on this day in 1613, the Globe Theatre was destroyed within an hour after its thatch was accidentally set aflame by a cannon marking the king's entrance onstage.

More Events on this day:

1913: Following a year of war with the Ottoman Empire, members of the victorious Balkan League quarreled over the division of the conquered territories, resulting in the Second Balkan War when Bulgaria attacked Greek and Serbian forces in Macedonia this night.

1861: English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, famous for her Sonnets from the Portuguese, died at age 55 from a severe chill.

30 June 

1934: Night of the Long Knives - On this date in 1934, in the “Night of the Long Knives,” Adolf Hitler had summarily executed many leading officials of the SA, a Nazi paramilitary group that marched in rallies and carried out violence against opponents.

More Events on this day:

1974: Soviet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defected from the U.S.S.R. while on tour in Canada.

1960: Zaire, formerly Belgian Congo and now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, declared its independence from Belgium.

Visit our Memory Lane page for current content