On This Day

Billboard magazine publishes its first music hit parade

A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay.

A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay. The term originated in the 1930s; Billboard magazine published its first music hit parade on January 4, 1936. It has also been used by broadcast programs which featured hit (sheet music and record) tunes such as Your Hit Parade, which aired on radio and television in the United States from 1935 through the 1950s.

Historical Significance

A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay.

Events Before

  1. David McKee is born

    David McKee, British writer and illustrator, known for british writer and illustrator, was born on 1935-01-02.

  2. 1st Orange Bowl: Bucknell beats Miami (FL), 26-0

    1st Orange Bowl: Bucknell beats Miami (FL), 26-0

  3. RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is first demonstrated by Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins in Daventry, England

    RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) is first demonstrated by Robert Watson-Watt and Arnold Wilkins in Daventry, England

  4. Adolf Hitler orders German rearmament in violation of the Treaty of Versailles

    German rearmament was a policy and practice of rearmament carried out by Germany from 1918 to 1939 in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which required German disarmament after World War I to…

  5. Nazi politician Hermann Goering (42) weds Emmy Sonnemann (42) in Berlin

    Nazi politician Hermann Goering (42) weds Emmy Sonnemann (42) in Berlin

Events After

  1. Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua

    Anastasio Somoza García becomes President of Nicaragua

  2. American musician Nat King Cole (18) weds dancer Nadine Robinson in Ypsilanti, Michigan; divorce in 1948

    American musician Nat King Cole (18) weds dancer Nadine Robinson in Ypsilanti, Michigan; divorce in 1948

  3. American actress Mary Astor (30) weds third husband, Mexican film editor Manuel del Campo (23) in Yuma, Arizona; divorce

    American actress Mary Astor (30) weds third husband, Mexican film editor Manuel del Campo (23) in Yuma, Arizona; divorce in 1941

  4. Australian cricketer Don Bradman scores 169 in the 5th Test match against England in 223 minutes, ensuring Australia win

    Australian cricketer Don Bradman scores 169 in the 5th Test match against England in 223 minutes, ensuring Australia wins the Ashes 3-2

  5. Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

    Film director D. W. Griffith (61) weds actress Evelyn Baldwin (26)

More from the 1930s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 4, 1936?
A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay. The term originated in the 1930s; Billboard magazine published its first music hit parade on January 4, 1936. It has also been used by broadcast programs which featured hit (sheet music and record) tunes such as Your Hit Parade, which aired on radio and television in the United States from 1935 through the 1950s.
Why is Billboard magazine publishes its first music hit parade significant?
A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined either by sales or airplay.

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