Historic facts this week

Published September 13, 2014

First MTV awards

September 14, 1984

ON this day, the first MTV Video Music Awards aired live, honouring the best music videos from May 2, 1983, to May 2, 1984. The show was hosted by Dan Aykroydand Bette Midler at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The biggest winner, taking home five awards was Herbie Hancock, followed by Michael Jackson, who won three, one for Best Choreography and the all-important Viewer’s Choice Award. Both were bestowed upon him for his epic John Landis-directed Thriller music video.


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First department store in the US

September 14, 1848

ON this day, Irish man Alexander Stewart opened what was the first department store in the US, “The Marble Palace,” in downtown New York City. The store was called Marble Palace because it was clad in Tuckahoe marble. It was the largest store in New York City at the time. The store sold imported European merchandise, and fashion shows were also held on the second floor. The store became well-known for its unique design and the merchandise it had.


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New York Times starts publishing

September 18, 1951

COMPANY founders, Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones publish the New York Times as morning daily newspaper in the New York City and stated: “We publish today the first issue of the New-York Daily Times, and we intend to issue it every morning (Sundays excepted) for an indefinite number of years to come.”

It was established as a penny paper that would avoid sensationalism and report the news in a restrained and objective fashion. It enjoyed early success as its editors set a pattern for the future by appealing to a cultured, intellectual readership instead of a mass audience.

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