History offers
a chance
to truly
understand
how the past
impacts the now.

Follow our
daily timelime
of historical
events to
discover the
role The Beatles
played in changing
the modern world.

1908--British actor, Michael (Scudamore) Redgrave, is born. He starred in such films as “Goodbye Mr. Chips,” “Heidi,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Nicholas and Alexandra.” His family acting-dynasty includes his daughters, Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave. Vanessa delighted audiences in “Camelot” (with Richard Harris) and Lynn was a hit in the 1960s classic, “Georgy Girl” (with James Mason and Alan Bates).

1954--Decca, Columbia, and MGM Records introduce the new "hi-fidelity" disc.

1960--Elvis Presley begins his first recording session since exiting the US Army on March 5. With longtime guitarist Scotty Moore, he records Stuck on You and Fame and Fortune at the RCA Studios in Nashville.

1961--The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club at lunchtime, and that night they appear at Hambleton Hall, Huyton, Liverpool.

1962--The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club -- a night show.

1963--The Beatles, on tour with Chris Montez and Tommy Roe, perform at the ABC Cinema, Romford, Essex. Also appearing on the tour are the Terry Young Six, Debbie Lee, and The Viscounts.

1963--The first "Pop Art" exhibition is held in New York City.

1964--UK release of The Beatles' single Can't Buy Me Love / You Can't Do That (Parlophone). 9 weeks on the charts; highest position #1.

1964--Filming for "A Hard Day's Night" goes on at Twickenham Film Studios: more "corridor scenes."

1964--The Beatles appear live on the UK television program "Ready Steady Go!" They lip-sync to It Won't Be Long, You Can't Do That, and Can't Buy Me Love. They also give an interview, take part in a humorous fashion parade, and receive a special award from the US trade magazine Billboard, in recognition of The Beatles having the top three singles on the chart simultaneously. The Beatles' appearance is included on a 1984 videocassette release, "Ready, Steady, Go! Volume 1."

1965--Eight Days a Week is the #1 single in the US for the second week in a row.

1965--Motown takes over the UK, as the famed Detroit label's first package tour hits the British Isles. Aboard are Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and The Temptations. The only white British act to be invited along is the jazzy Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames.

1967--John Lennon and Paul McCartney tape an interview with Brian Matthew, discussing their focus on recording in the studio and their disinterest in touring. John was particularly emphatic that there would be no more tours, or as he said, "no more 'She Loves You-s.' " John and Paul also tape acceptance speeches for three 1966 Ivor Novello awards: The Most Performed Work of the Year (Michelle); Runner-up to the Most Performed Work of the Year (Yesterday); and The 'A' Side of the Record Issued in 1966 Which Achieved the Highest Certified British Sales in the Period 1st January 1966 to 31st December 1966 (Yellow Submarine).

1967--The Beatles in the recording studio (Studio Two, EMI Studios, London). Overdubbing The Beatles vocals onto the pre-recorded orchestral track of She's Leaving Home. The song is finished.

1967--Mod fashion model, Twiggy, arrives in the US from London for a one-week stay. She quickly becomes the most sought-after subject of photographers, due to her terrifically skinny-yet-wholesome good looks and the shortest (“mini”) dresses ever seen on public streets.

1969--John Winston Lennon and Yoko Ono are married at the British Consulate in Gibraltar (near Spain) by magistrate Cecile Wheeler. Beatles aide, Peter Brown, is there to act as witness. They had flown from Paris to Gibraltar early in the morning, landing on the “rock” at 8:30 a.m. The marriage took place at 9:00 a.m. Afterwards, the couple posed for the official photographs (taken by David Nutter) with John in a white jacket, white turtleneck sweater and off-white trousers, and Yoko in a matching white mini-dress and huge floppy hat. They announce to the press that they will be staging many “events” and “happenings.” After the ceremony, they returned to Paris to their luxury suite at the Plaza Athenee Hotel. Said John, "We chose Gibraltar because it is quiet, British and friendly. We tried everywhere else first. I set out to get married on the car ferry and we would have arrived in France married. But they wouldn’t do it. We were no more successful with cruise ships. We tried embassies, but three weeks residence in Germany or two weeks in France was required." CLICK HERE TO SEE SPECIAL PHOTO AND ARCHIVE ALBUMS ABOUT JOHN AND YOKO'S WEDDING.

1972--John and Yoko complete recordings for their album, Some Time in New York City.

1975--The Lennons celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary with a renewal of their vows in a mock-Druidic ceremony at the Dakota.

1980--The Lennons celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary in lavish style. She bought him a celebratory Rolls Royce; he responds with 500 gardenias and a heart-shaped diamond. Little did John know that gardenias represent death in Japan, and that Yoko would be deeply offended by his heartfelt show of affection.

1986--Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon are photographed outside the Dorchester Hotel, and then Yoko holds a press conference inside the hotel. When asked about her world tour, she says: “I’m very pleased. Of course it would have been better if more people turned up, but this is the beginning...the first tour. I’m not letting it go, you’re going to see me again!”

1990--An exhibition of Yoko Ono’s artwork and films opens at the Riverside Studios in West London. Over the next five weeks, a dozen Lennon/Ono films are given a rare public showing. This is Yoko’s first major show in London since 1967.

1995--US release of The Beatles' CD single, Baby It's You / I'll Follow the Sun / Devil in Her Heart / Boys (Capitol).

1999--In Gibraltar, special postage stamps are issued by The Gibraltar Philatelic Bureau and The Crown Agents Stamps Bureau to mark the 30th anniversary of John and Yoko’s marriage. NOTE: the stamps are included in two archive albums: "The Wedding Album Archive" and “Lennon Stamps From Foreign Lands" (to come).

For more day-by-day history go to HistoryUnlimited.net