Share
1 of 15
The Beatles arrived in the United States 50 years ago and embarked on a history-making path of pop culture dominance. Check out coverage of "The Sixties: The British Invasion," a look at how the Fab Four's influence persists. Click through the gallery for more images of the Beatles' first American tour. Mike Mitchelle/Christie's/AP
The Beatles arrive in New York on February 7, 1964. The band from Liverpool, England, already had the No. 1 U.S. single, "I Want to Hold Your Hand," but its U.S. visit confirmed that "Beatlemania" had made its way across the pond. Courtesy of the Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The band waves to cameras at John F. Kennedy International Airport. AP
Beatles fans are restrained by police at the airport. Hal Mathewson/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Three of The Beatles -- from left, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and John Lennon -- wave from a horse-drawn carriage in New York's Central Park on February 8, 1964. George Harrison was off resting a sore throat.
Television host Ed Sullivan, center, stands with The Beatles on February 9, 1964, during a rehearsal for the band's appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." The iconic television appearance remains one of the highest-rated nonsports programs of all time. Nielsen estimated that 45% of the country watched the show -- more than 73 million people then. AP
A car belonging to The Beatles is besieged by fans in New York on February 10, 1964. Courtesy of Popperfoto/Getty Images
The Beatles have their pictures taken as they sit on a train taking them from New York to Washington on February 11, 1964. Courtesy of Popperfoto/Getty Images
The Beatles perform on stage at the Washington Coliseum on February 11, 1964. It was their first U.S. concert. Rowland Scherman/Getty Images
Fans run to catch a glimpse of The Beatles while the band was in New York. Judd Mehlman/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Fans cheer for The Beatles and hold signs of encouragement during the band's concert at Carnegie Hall on February 12, 1964, in New York. Courtesy of Michael Ochs/Getty Images
From left, McCartney, Lennon and Harrison share a microphone as they sing a song at Carnegie Hall. Courtesy of Popperfoto/Getty Images
Ecstatic fans await The Beatles outside the Plaza Hotel, where the band was staying in New York during its tour. Arthur Schatz//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Lines form down the street from the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, as fans wait to see The Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on February 16, 1964. It was a week after the band's first appearance on the show. Courtesy of CBS/Getty Images
The Beatles enjoy Miami Beach. Courtesy of CBS/Getty Images
