Noriega Surrenders: US Military Blasted Rock Music Until He Gave Up
Noriega walked into the Vatican embassy in Panama City wearing his general's uniform. American forces had been hunting him for three days. They surrounded the building. Then they started playing music. Van Halen. The Clash. AC/DC. Volume cranked to maximum. For ten days straight. The papal nuncio complained about the noise. Noriega's face was scarred from teenage acne. He'd been a CIA asset for 20 years. He knew too much about American operations in Central America. The music wasn't torture—it was negotiation. He surrendered when the U.S. promised him a trial instead of a bullet. The psychological warfare worked perfectly.
January 3, 1990
36 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on January 3
Roman legions refused to salute their emperor. On January 3, 69 AD, troops on the Rhine declared Aulus Vitellius emperor instead of Galba. Galba was in Rome, 80…
250 AD: Every person in the Roman Empire had to burn incense to the gods. Except Jews—they had special permission. Everyone else got a certificate proving they'…
Charles III devient roi des Francs.
Leo VII. wird auf Weisung Fürst Alberichs II. zum Papst gewählt.
Joan of Arc had been captured by Burgundian allies of the English. They sold her to Bishop Pierre Cauchon for 10,000 francs. Cauchon wanted her tried for heresy…
Leonardo's flying machine crashed immediately. He'd spent months calculating wing angles and studying birds. Built a frame of wood and canvas. Tested it from a …
Talk to History
Have a conversation with historical figures who witnessed this era. Ask questions, explore perspectives, and bring history to life.