The Beatles Arrive In New York for their First US Visit, 7th February 1964

Paul: "There were millions of kids at the airport, which nobody had expected. We heard about it in mid-air. There were journalists on the plane, and the pilot had rang ahead and said, 'Tell the boys there's a big crowd waiting for them.' We thought, 'Wow! God, we really have made it.' "

On Friday 7th February, 1964, The Beatles landed at Kennedy airport and were immediately thrust into their now-legendary first press conference there. The place was heaving with rabid reporters, seasoned journalists and camera crews from all over the world.

From there, they took a limo to the Plaza Hotel, where they stayed during their time in NYC. The Beatles' suite was a hub of activity - a place where they anticipated, prepared for and then relaxed after each of  the milestone events that they were experiencing in such quick succession. They would await phone calls from journalists or to receive news of how their songs were doing in the charts; they gave in-person interviews, there, and watched themselves on television. Often, they would call into radio stations to request their favourite records.

Bit by bit, they were getting a sense of 'America'. Still, they were tired. It had been a long trip - a long day. And George, it turns out, was coming down with flu...

Click below to see original press footage of the bands' arrival.

To see more photos and footage and to read more about their first day in the US: http://gnikn.us/Mv28wS
Come back tomorrow to read about their second day in the States and their rehearsals for the the first live Ed Sullivan Show broadcast.

Until 23rd February, we'll be posting here about the significant events that led to Beatlemania spreading across the States. Check-in daily for photos and video from the tour, and the story of how The Beatles managed to accomplish what then had seemed impossible to do - making it in the USA.