#ThrowbackThursday – 27 February
It’s 27 February, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1977 – ABBAmania Takes Hold of Australia
On the night of 27 February 1977, Swedish pop group ABBA lit up Sydney, Australia when they arrived for their highly-anticipated national tour.
The Swedish pop group – composed of Agnetha Faltskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad – was accompanied by a 117-strong entourage. They travelled in a Boeing 727, with plans for a film documenting the tour.
Needless to say, thousands of diehard Australian fans – deep in the throes of “ABBAmania” – were excited to see ABBA performing for the first time in their country. The group’s arrival was marked by chaos at Sydney Airport, prompting police authorities to cancel planned fan interactions.
“We could never have imagined it … [it was] overwhelming,” Lyngstad recalled in a 2011 interview, reflecting on the hysteria that greeted their arrival.
Among the fans – most of whom were ardent youngsters accompanied by their parents – was a nine-year-old Nicole Kidman, who later described the moment as pivotal to her understanding of fame.
“Being recognised is part of the territory,” the celebrated actress remarked in an interview 30 years after seeing ABBA in person. “I was a kid who waited to see ABBA.”
Lyngstad described the energy from the fans as “an energy injection which literally never stopped.” The tour culminated in emotional concerts, including a memorable gig at the Sydney Showgrounds amid a storm.
Reflecting on the experience years later, Lyngstad expressed gratitude for the love shown by Australian fans.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for our fans in Australia and their wonderful support,’ she said. “It obviously does not matter where you are in the world, if people love your music, it travels borders and captures hearts. It has a life of its own. We are immensely grateful.”
1996 – “Pokémon” Meets World
Happy Pokémon Day!
It’s hard to believe that “Pokémon” has only been around for 29 years, as it has become a global phenomenon since its inception.
Celebrated annually on 27 February, Pokémon Day marks the franchise’s debut in 1996 with the release of “Pokémon Red and Green” in Japan.
Created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, the concept of “Pocket Monsters” quickly evolved into a multi-platform success, including video games, an animated series and a popular trading card game.
Initially, players captured and trained various Pokémon, battling to become the best trainer. The franchise expanded with subsequent generations, now featuring approximately 898 species of Pokémon!
The beloved animated series, which debuted in 1997, follows ambitious trainer Ash Ketchum and his trusty Pikachu, solidifying Pikachu as the face of the franchise.
In 2016, “Pokémon GO” revolutionised gaming with augmented reality, allowing fans to catch Pokémon in real life. Today, “Pokémon” remains the second-best-selling video game franchise, inspiring conventions, cosplay and community events on Pokémon Day.
With its rich history and dedicated fanbase, Pokémon continues to win the hearts of millions around the world – gotta catch ‘em all, indeed!
2004 – “Million Dollar Baby” Wins Big at Oscars
At the 77th Academy Awards on 27 February 2004, “Million Dollar Baby” emerged as a standout, garnering four Oscars, including for Best Picture and Best Director for Clint Eastwood.
The sports drama film tells the story of Maggie Fitzgerald (as portrayed by Hilary Swank), a waitress who aspires to become a boxer. With the help of no-nonsense trainer Frankie Dunn (played by Eastwood) and ex-boxer Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris (portrayed by Morgan Freeman), she embarks on her relentless pursuit of success in the male-dominated world of boxing.
“Million Dollar Baby” resonated deeply with global audiences and critics alike, blending emotional depth with raw athleticism.
At the Oscars, Eastwood – who was 74-years-old at the time – made history as the oldest winner in the directing category, Freeman won the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Swank also shone brightly that night, receiving her second Best Actress Oscar. In her acceptance speech, she expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I don’t know what I did in this life to deserve all this. I’m just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream.”
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