Category: Today in TV History
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49 Years Ago Today: The 100th Episode of “The Waltons” Aired
Today marks the 49th anniversary of a milestone in television history: the airing of the 100th episode of The Waltons on March 4, 1976. The beloved family drama, which captured the hearts of millions with its portrayal of a tight-knit Depression-era family in rural Virginia, reached this landmark during its fifth season, cementing its place…
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92 Years Ago Today The Movie “King Kong” Premieres in NYC, Captivating Audiences
Today marks the 92nd anniversary of a defining moment in cinematic history: the premiere of King Kong on March 2, 1933, at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall and the RKO Roxy Theatre. Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, with a breakout performance by Fay Wray as Ann Darrow, the film…
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48 Years Ago Today: Jay Leno Makes His Debut on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Today marks the 48th anniversary of a pivotal moment in late-night television history: on March 2, 1977, a young comedian named Jay Leno made his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The debut introduced audiences to the future host of the iconic program, setting the stage for Leno’s decades-long career as one…
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60 Years Today The 150th Episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” Aired
Today marks a nostalgic milestone in television history as fans commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 150th episode of The Andy Griffith Show, which originally aired on March 1, 1965. The beloved sitcom, set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, captured the hearts of millions with its wholesome humor, relatable characters, and timeless…
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42 Years Ago: “M*A*S*H” Finale “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen” Sets TV History with Record 125 Million Viewers
42 years ago today—the final episode of the beloved television series M*A*S*H aired on CBS, drawing an unprecedented 125 million viewers in the United States and etching its name into the annals of broadcast history. Titled “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen,” the two-hour special, directed by series star Alan Alda, brought the Korean War-set dramedy to…
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35 Years Ago: MacGyver’s 100th Episode Aired, Cementing a TV Legacy
Today marks the 35th anniversary of a milestone moment in television history: on February 26, 1990, the 100th episode of MacGyver aired on ABC, solidifying the resourceful adventurer’s place in pop culture lore. Titled “The Madonna,” the episode—part of the show’s fifth season—saw Angus MacGyver, played by Richard Dean Anderson, tackle a Christmas-themed mystery involving…
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97 Years Ago: The Dawn of American Television As the First TV License is Issued in the United States
Today marks the 97th anniversary of a pivotal moment in broadcast history: on February 25, 1928, the Federal Radio Commission (FRC) the precurser to today’s FCC issued the first U.S. television license to Charles Jenkins Laboratories in Washington, D.C., kicking off the era of television as we know it. This milestone, granted to inventor Charles…
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23 Years Ago: Ride to Freedom: The Rosa Parks Story Premiered, Honoring a Civil Rights Icon
Today marks the 23rd anniversary of a poignant milestone in television history: on February 24, 2002, CBS aired the premiere of Ride to Freedom: The Rosa Parks Story, a made-for-TV movie that brought the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks to living rooms across America. Starring Angela Bassett as Parks, the film…