Beatlemania took hold of America in February 1964 and a Times headline declared, "The Beatles Invade, Complete With Long Hair and Screaming Fans." The Times even tossed in some humor in its reporting by writing, "Multiply Elvis Presley by four, subtract six years from his age, add British accents and a sharp sense of humor. The answer: It's the Beatles (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)." Yes, or in this case yeah, even The Times was swept up by Beatlemania.

On Feb. 9, 1964, the Fab Four, with their Edwardian suits and mop top haircuts, changed music forever with a live performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," viewed by an estimated 73 million Americans. When John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr greeted a crowd at a reception in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 14, The Times sent veteran photographer George Tames, who took this image. Tames, based in Washington, usually covered presidents and world leaders, but the Beatles were in the same ranking back then.