Today In Madonna History
@timadonnahistory.bsky.social
A daily look back at #Madonna history over the Queen of Pop’s 40+ year career
On June 8, 2001, The Immaculate Collection DVD was released in the UK. The release offered a remastered look at #Madonna’s groundbreaking first decade of visual pop artistry and reaffirmed her status as the defining visual artist of the MTV era.
June 8, 2025 at 3:57 AM
On June 8, 2001, The Immaculate Collection DVD was released in the UK. The release offered a remastered look at #Madonna’s groundbreaking first decade of visual pop artistry and reaffirmed her status as the defining visual artist of the MTV era.
On June 5, 1986, Rolling Stone hit newsstands with the headline “The New Madonna.” Photographed by Matthew Rolston and interviewed by Fred Schruers for a feature titled Can’t Stop the Girl, Madonna appeared in bold theatrical portraits that reflected her growing command of image and iconography.
June 4, 2025 at 11:46 PM
On June 5, 1986, Rolling Stone hit newsstands with the headline “The New Madonna.” Photographed by Matthew Rolston and interviewed by Fred Schruers for a feature titled Can’t Stop the Girl, Madonna appeared in bold theatrical portraits that reflected her growing command of image and iconography.
On May 16, 1988, Spotlight reached number 3 on Japan’s Oricon International Singles Chart. Released exclusively in Japan as the lead single from her remix album You Can Dance, the track gained additional popularity when featured in a Japanese Mitsubishi VCR commercial.
May 16, 2025 at 7:44 AM
On May 16, 1988, Spotlight reached number 3 on Japan’s Oricon International Singles Chart. Released exclusively in Japan as the lead single from her remix album You Can Dance, the track gained additional popularity when featured in a Japanese Mitsubishi VCR commercial.
On May 10, 2003, #Madonna’s American Life debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, becoming her 5th U.S chart topper. It captured Madonna’s conflicted emotions about the American dream, exploring fame, consumerism, and self-reflection making it one of her most personal and thought-provoking records.
May 10, 2025 at 5:56 AM
On May 10, 2003, #Madonna’s American Life debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, becoming her 5th U.S chart topper. It captured Madonna’s conflicted emotions about the American dream, exploring fame, consumerism, and self-reflection making it one of her most personal and thought-provoking records.
On May 5, 2003, The Immaculate Collection was certified 11X Platinum in the U.S., by the RIAA. Released in 1990, the greatest hits album remains one of the best-selling compilations of all time. Its enduring appeal cements it as a cornerstone of #Madonna’s legacy and a pop culture essential.
May 5, 2025 at 2:44 AM
On May 5, 2003, The Immaculate Collection was certified 11X Platinum in the U.S., by the RIAA. Released in 1990, the greatest hits album remains one of the best-selling compilations of all time. Its enduring appeal cements it as a cornerstone of #Madonna’s legacy and a pop culture essential.
Madonna’s perfect response
May 3, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Madonna’s perfect response
On May 3, 1991, the New York Post ran its infamous front page declaring “WHAT A TRAMP!” in response to her Truth or Dare documentary. Critics attacked #Madonna’s bold sexuality but in hindsight, this cover stands as a snapshot of how threatened the media was by a powerful woman owning her narrative.
May 3, 2025 at 12:35 AM
On May 3, 1991, the New York Post ran its infamous front page declaring “WHAT A TRAMP!” in response to her Truth or Dare documentary. Critics attacked #Madonna’s bold sexuality but in hindsight, this cover stands as a snapshot of how threatened the media was by a powerful woman owning her narrative.
On May 1, 1985, the first issue of Spin magazine hit newsstands with Madonna on the cover. Spin chose #Madonna as its debut cover star, signaling her dominance in both pop culture and the music industry. The move helped define the magazine’s tone and cemented Madonna as the face of a generation.
May 1, 2025 at 9:14 AM
On May 1, 1985, the first issue of Spin magazine hit newsstands with Madonna on the cover. Spin chose #Madonna as its debut cover star, signaling her dominance in both pop culture and the music industry. The move helped define the magazine’s tone and cemented Madonna as the face of a generation.
On April 30, 2020, Bedtime Stories hit Number One on the U.S. iTunes Albums Chart—26 years after release—thanks to the viral JusticeForBedtimeStories campaign led by fans in lockdown. #Madonna posted: “The Bedtime Stories album is currently #1 … thank you to all my fans who got it there.”
April 30, 2025 at 2:41 AM
On April 30, 2020, Bedtime Stories hit Number One on the U.S. iTunes Albums Chart—26 years after release—thanks to the viral JusticeForBedtimeStories campaign led by fans in lockdown. #Madonna posted: “The Bedtime Stories album is currently #1 … thank you to all my fans who got it there.”
On April 28, 1998, Ray of Light was certified Platinum in the US. Driven by hits like Frozen and Ray of Light, it earned four Grammys and connected #Madonna with a new generation, cementing her place as one of music’s most fearless innovators.
April 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
On April 28, 1998, Ray of Light was certified Platinum in the US. Driven by hits like Frozen and Ray of Light, it earned four Grammys and connected #Madonna with a new generation, cementing her place as one of music’s most fearless innovators.
On April 27, 1985, Angel debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. The third single from her Like a Virgin album, Angel entered the chart strong and quickly became another major hit for #Madonna, eventually peaking at #5 and continuing her early dominance of 1980s pop.
April 27, 2025 at 6:11 AM
On April 27, 1985, Angel debuted on the Billboard Hot 100. The third single from her Like a Virgin album, Angel entered the chart strong and quickly became another major hit for #Madonna, eventually peaking at #5 and continuing her early dominance of 1980s pop.
On April 24, 1993, #Madonna’s Fever/Bad Girl topped Billboard’s Dance Singles Sales chart. Amid backlash from Erotica and Sex, she played it smart—pairing a moody ballad with a club cover, hitting two audiences with one release and proving her power where it still counted.
April 24, 2025 at 7:55 AM
On April 24, 1993, #Madonna’s Fever/Bad Girl topped Billboard’s Dance Singles Sales chart. Amid backlash from Erotica and Sex, she played it smart—pairing a moody ballad with a club cover, hitting two audiences with one release and proving her power where it still counted.
On April 23, 1985, Like a Virgin was certified 4× Platinum in the U.S., just five months after release. Fueled by hits like “Material Girl” and the title track, it confirmed #Madonna’s takeover of the ’80s and her rise as a global pop phenomenon.
April 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM
On April 23, 1985, Like a Virgin was certified 4× Platinum in the U.S., just five months after release. Fueled by hits like “Material Girl” and the title track, it confirmed #Madonna’s takeover of the ’80s and her rise as a global pop phenomenon.
On April 22, 2023, #Madonna’s American Life – Mixshow Mix (In Memory of Peter Rauhofer) was released as a Record Store Day exclusive.
This 8-track 12-inch EP marked the 20th anniversary of American Life and paid tribute to the late Peter Rauhofer, a longtime Madonna collaborator.
This 8-track 12-inch EP marked the 20th anniversary of American Life and paid tribute to the late Peter Rauhofer, a longtime Madonna collaborator.
April 22, 2025 at 7:51 AM
On April 22, 2023, #Madonna’s American Life – Mixshow Mix (In Memory of Peter Rauhofer) was released as a Record Store Day exclusive.
This 8-track 12-inch EP marked the 20th anniversary of American Life and paid tribute to the late Peter Rauhofer, a longtime Madonna collaborator.
This 8-track 12-inch EP marked the 20th anniversary of American Life and paid tribute to the late Peter Rauhofer, a longtime Madonna collaborator.
On April 21, 2003, #Madonna released American Life. The album mixed acoustic guitar with glitchy electronica to deliver sharp commentary on consumerism, war, and fame. divisive at the time, American Life topped the charts in over 15 countries and later gained recognition being ahead-of-its-time.
April 21, 2025 at 2:23 AM
On April 21, 2003, #Madonna released American Life. The album mixed acoustic guitar with glitchy electronica to deliver sharp commentary on consumerism, war, and fame. divisive at the time, American Life topped the charts in over 15 countries and later gained recognition being ahead-of-its-time.
On April 17, 2003, #Madonna’s American Life was certified Silver in the UK by the BPI—four days before its official release. Awarded for over 60,000 copies shipped, it signalled strong anticipation for one of Madonna’s most daring and divisive albums.
April 17, 2025 at 5:44 AM
On April 17, 2003, #Madonna’s American Life was certified Silver in the UK by the BPI—four days before its official release. Awarded for over 60,000 copies shipped, it signalled strong anticipation for one of Madonna’s most daring and divisive albums.
On April 12, 2015, #Madonna made a surprise appearance during Drake’s headlining #Coachella set. She performed a medley of Human Nature and Hung Up—then stunned the crowd by kissing Drake onstage. His reaction went viral, but the moment was pure Madonna: bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore.
April 12, 2025 at 7:21 AM
On April 12, 2015, #Madonna made a surprise appearance during Drake’s headlining #Coachella set. She performed a medley of Human Nature and Hung Up—then stunned the crowd by kissing Drake onstage. His reaction went viral, but the moment was pure Madonna: bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore.
On March 24, 1984, Borderline debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #79. The synth-pop ballad from her debut album would climb to #10, becoming her first-ever U.S. Top 10 hit. Borderline proved #Madonna was more than a one-hit wonder—and marked the true beginning of her pop domination.
March 24, 2025 at 5:37 AM
On March 24, 1984, Borderline debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #79. The synth-pop ballad from her debut album would climb to #10, becoming her first-ever U.S. Top 10 hit. Borderline proved #Madonna was more than a one-hit wonder—and marked the true beginning of her pop domination.
On March 23, 1985, Material Girl peaked at #2 on the Hot 100.
One of #Madonna’s most iconic hits, thanks to its catchy hook, music video and clever commentary on fame and fortune, it helped define Madonna’s early image and sparked conversations about gender, power, and materialism in pop culture.
One of #Madonna’s most iconic hits, thanks to its catchy hook, music video and clever commentary on fame and fortune, it helped define Madonna’s early image and sparked conversations about gender, power, and materialism in pop culture.
March 23, 2025 at 2:31 AM
On March 23, 1985, Material Girl peaked at #2 on the Hot 100.
One of #Madonna’s most iconic hits, thanks to its catchy hook, music video and clever commentary on fame and fortune, it helped define Madonna’s early image and sparked conversations about gender, power, and materialism in pop culture.
One of #Madonna’s most iconic hits, thanks to its catchy hook, music video and clever commentary on fame and fortune, it helped define Madonna’s early image and sparked conversations about gender, power, and materialism in pop culture.
On March 10, 2008, #Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a recognition of her unstoppable influence on music and pop culture. Introduced as “the ultimate rule breaker”, Madonna delivered a witty speech, thanking everyone who shaped her journey—including those who doubted her.
March 10, 2025 at 10:26 AM
On March 10, 2008, #Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a recognition of her unstoppable influence on music and pop culture. Introduced as “the ultimate rule breaker”, Madonna delivered a witty speech, thanking everyone who shaped her journey—including those who doubted her.
On March 2, 1991, Rescue Me debuted at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest debut for a female artist at that time. The song eventually peaked at #9, becoming #Madonna’s 22nd top-ten hit in the United States. 
March 9, 2025 at 8:32 AM
On March 2, 1991, Rescue Me debuted at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest debut for a female artist at that time. The song eventually peaked at #9, becoming #Madonna’s 22nd top-ten hit in the United States. 
On March 6, 2015, Rebel Heart, #Madonna’s 13th studio album, was released in select markets. Despite leaks disrupting its rollout, the album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, making Madonna the first artist with 21 top ten albums in chart history.
March 6, 2025 at 6:15 AM
On March 6, 2015, Rebel Heart, #Madonna’s 13th studio album, was released in select markets. Despite leaks disrupting its rollout, the album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, making Madonna the first artist with 21 top ten albums in chart history.
On February 22, 1998, Ray of Light was released in Japan. The album marked a bold new direction for #Madonna, blending electronica with introspective lyrics. Critically acclaimed and commercially successful, it won four Grammy Awards and is often hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time.
February 22, 2025 at 1:22 AM
On February 22, 1998, Ray of Light was released in Japan. The album marked a bold new direction for #Madonna, blending electronica with introspective lyrics. Critically acclaimed and commercially successful, it won four Grammy Awards and is often hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time.
On February 20, 1995, #Madonna performed “Bedtime Story” at the Brit Awards. Dressed in a striking white Versace gown with long platinum hair, she delivered an ethereal, avant-garde performance that perfectly matched the song’s dreamlike aesthetic.
February 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
On February 20, 1995, #Madonna performed “Bedtime Story” at the Brit Awards. Dressed in a striking white Versace gown with long platinum hair, she delivered an ethereal, avant-garde performance that perfectly matched the song’s dreamlike aesthetic.