(Above: Brian Jones and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.) July 5, 1969 The Rolling Stones play a gig at London's Hyde Park before an estimated crowd of 250,000 people. The show takes place just days after the death of Brian Jones, who was found in his swimming pool at the age of 27. Jones … Continue reading New this week in ’69: July 5
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New this week in ’69: June 28
June 28, 1969 The Stonewall riots continue in New York City, having begun the night before. Police harassment of patrons of a well-known gay bar boils over into violence. The event is commemorated a year later, and that march has gone on to become the annual Pride celebrations that take place across the country. It's … Continue reading New this week in ’69: June 28
New this week in ’69: June 21
(Above: A song that almost didn't make it into a movie.) June 21, 1969 It's the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. That doesn't keep people in the UK from watching television: the documentary Royal Family, about - you guessed it! - is watched by an estimated 30 million people. A shorter … Continue reading New this week in ’69: June 21
New this week in ’69: June 14
(Above: Roy Clark and friends.) June 14, 1969 Some people you know are turning 50 this week. Today's the birthday of tennis star Steffi Graf, who is born in West Germany (back when that was still a thing.) Tomorrow O'Shea Jackson will be born in Los Angeles; you know him as Ice Cube. Tomorrow a … Continue reading New this week in ’69: June 14
New this week in ’69: June 7
(Above: The Echo satellite, obviously pre-destruction.) June 7, 1969 In the news: the Echo communications satellite burns up in re-entry. It had been in orbit for five years. That same day Blind Faith make their debut in Hyde Park before a crowd estimated to be over a hundred thousand people. June 7 is also the … Continue reading New this week in ’69: June 7
New this week in ’69: May 31
May 31, 1969 It's the day after Mario Andretti won the Indianapolis 500. Andretti set a record in doing so, averaging 156.8 miles per hour and finishing the race in 3 hours and 11 minutes. It's the only time he'll ever win the race despite being a perennial fixture at the Brickyard. It's also the … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 31
New this week in ’69: May 24
(Apollo 10 is home safely.) May 24, 1969 It's the day after Jimmy McHugh passed away at the age of 74. The name might not be immediately familiar to you, but you know his work: the songwriter composed hundreds of melodies performed in films from the 20s through the 40s. The musical Sugar Babies, released … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 24
New this week in ’69: May 17
(Fun fact: Carlos May of the Chicago White Sox wore his birth date on his back.) May 17, 1969 Space dominates the headlines: it's the day that the Soviet probe Venera 6 begins its descent into the atmosphere of Venus. (It won't survive the planet's acidic rains and sweltering temperatures). The next day, May 18, … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 17
New this week in ’69: May 10
(Up on the housetop, hits are made.) May 10, 1969 It's the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Hamburger Hill, a Vietnam offensive in which 72 Americans lose their lives and 400 others are wounded. It's also the 50th anniversary of "Zip to Zap." The town of Zap, North Dakota, population 339, is overrun by … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 10
New this week in ’69: May 3
May 3, 1969 It's the day after the Queen Elizabeth II made its maiden voyage, setting sail from Southampton with something new for navigation: a system that uses Navy satellites called a "global positioning system." It can pinpoint the location of the boat within 100 feet. Several musical birthdays are celebrated this week: Frankie Valli … Continue reading New this week in ’69: May 3
45 Ruminations Per Megabyte 