The Day the Music Died. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper die in a plane crash in Iowa. See how the Big Bopper's son is carrying on his legacy on our GB Rocks page.

Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler invents the Barbie Doll. She names it after her daughter and later names the Ken Doll after her son. Learn more about Barbie by clicking on Toys of Yesterday Meet Kids of Today story in this newsletter.

After overspending to design a groundbreaking new engine, British carmaker Rolls-Royce files for bankruptcy. The U.S. Congress keeps it alive with a $250 million loan.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar becomes the first NBA player to score 38,000 points.

Fore! During the Apollo 14 Mission, Alan Shepard becomes the first person to hit a golf ball on the Moon. Who said you can only play golf in Florida?

Michael Jackson's record makes the Guinness Book of Records when the album "Thriller" clears $25 million in sales.

George Harrison's tonsils are NOT for sale on eBay. When the singer has his removed he orders them destroyed so they can't be sold. How much would YOU pay?

Even though westerns dominate the prime-time ratings, Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" becomes the most watched daytime show on TV.

The Beatles make their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." They draw over 73 million viewers, 60 percent of the viewing audience.