Today in TV History: Monday, April 5, 2020

The inaugural “Tony Awards,” then called “The Perry Awards,” were presented at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City in 1947. “All My Sons” and musical “Finian’s Rainbow” were honored.

The food company Swanson & Sons introduced the “TV Dinner” in 1954, which for 98 cents included a Thanksgiving meal of turkey, dressing, peas and sweet potatoes, frozen and packaged in a tray.

Joan Collins guest starred on the original “Star Trek” in 1967.

Pop music group ABBA has their international breakthrough when they won the top prize at the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo” in 1974.

The post-it note was introduced to consumers by 3M in 1980. One TV character who does not have a fond memory of the post-it note was Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) on “Sex and the City,” whose then boyfriend Berger (Ron Livingston) broke up with her by leaving a message on it.

CBS sitcom “Private Benjamin,” based on the Goldie Hawn movie of the same name and starring Lorna Patterson debuted in 1981. It concluded in 1983…CBS comedy “Zorro and Son” began its short run in 1983. It aired for five episodes.

In 1993, PBS preschool favorite “Barney and Friends” launched.