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This Day in Pop Culture

This Day in Pop Culture for March 4

The Beatles stated that they were more popular than Jesus and Indiana Jones moved into Disneyland.

March 12, 2020

2–3 minutes

1966: The Beatles Become More Popular Than Jesus

There is no doubt that the Beatles were extremely popular in the mid 1960s and apparently, they knew it. During this time, Maureen Cleave of the London Evening Standard ran a series called “How Does a Beatle Live?” interviewing each of the Beatles.

On this day in 1966, Cleave interviewed John Lennon in his home where she spotted a copy of The Passover Plot by Hugh J. Schonfield which influenced Lennon’s views on Christianity. During the interview, he was quoted saying, “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that; I’m right and I’ll be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first—rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.”

Apparently, those in the UK were not fazed by his comments, but those living in the U.S. were up in arms. (Image: Photo by Fedor on Unsplash)

1974: People Magazine Prints Its First Issue

Originally titled People Weekly, the leading news and gossip magazine was first published on this day in 1974. It featured Mia Farrow on the cover and her role in The Great Gatsby. It also featured stories on The Exorcist, Gloria Vanderbilt’s fourth marriage and Vietnam wives whose husbands were still missing in action. Published by Time Inc., People has a readership of 46.6 million, the largest of any American magazine. The magazine is infamous for its yearly issues of “Sexiest Man Alive,” “Best & Worst Dressed” and others.

On this day in pop culture history, The Beatles swore that they were more popular than Jesus and the first issue of People magazine was printed.

1995: Indiana Jones and the Forbidden Eye

One of the most success attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show which has been in operation since August 25, 1989. It’s been hit from day one. Because of its success in Florida, it wasn’t long before Disney decided that they needed something similar in Disneyland.

Walt Disney Imagineering and George Lucas collaborated working on a number of ideas which included a walk-through adventure and a mine car ride that took place within a temple. With over 400 Imagineers working to create Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, the ride opened with large Jeep-like vehicles that seemingly drove on their own darting in out of danger, dodging flames and giant snakes all the while following an animatronic Dr. Jones.

Another version of the ride opened at Tokyo DisneySea in Chiba, Japan and third version of the ride will be coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida in the near future. (Image: Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)