1984: Apple’s Macintosh Changes Everything
Most American’s were introduced to Apple’s Macintosh personal computer during the Super Bowl on this day in 1984. The promo commercial, simply titled 1984, was created by Ridley Scott for $1.5 million and was only shown once. Some have called the commercial a “masterpiece” and “more successful than the Mac itself.” The futuristic commercial (alluding to George Orwell’s novel Nineteen Eighty-Four) was in a way trying to shown how Apple could “save humanity” by giving them a choice besides and IBM computer.
1980: The Infamous Portrait of John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Many have seen the Annie Liebowitz portrait of John Lennon and Yoko Ono for the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine that was published on this day in 1981. It featured a naked John Lennon curled up in a fetal embrace of a fully clothed Yoko Ono. However, many are unaware that this photo was taken on December 8, 1980 – just twelve hours before Lennon was shot to death. Liebowitz was given instructions from the editor of the time to get some pictures without Yoko, but when she arrived at the Lennon’s home, he told her that he wanted the pictures to include Yoko. While not happy with this arrangement, Liebowitz went along with the request and it turns out this portrait is one of her most famous.
Birthdays
- 1875: D.W. Griffith (movie director)
- 1904: George Balanchine (co-founder of the New York City Ballet)
- 1909: Ann Southern (actress)
- 1932: Piper Laurie (actress)
- 1934: Bill Bixby (actor)
- 1934: Graham Kerr (TV chef)
- 1949: Steve Perry (singer)
- 1959: Linda Blair (actress)
- 1965: Diane Lane (actress)
- 1968: Guy Fieri (TV chef)
Writer of Pop Culture 
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