Fifty years ago Friday, the Beatles released their first single, “Love Me Do,” in the United Kingdom, touching off the global phenomenon known as Beatlemania. Here are some major milestones from the Fab Four’s legendary career:

Dec. 11, 1945 : Only 5 years old, John Lennon writes his first original song, titled “Daddy Daddy,” and it’s fucking terrible

: Only 5 years old, John Lennon writes his first original song, titled “Daddy Daddy,” and it’s fucking terrible Oct. 28, 1961 : Future Beatles manager Brian Epstein hears the band for the first time in a Liverpool record shop and instantly recognizes how awesome it would be to have sex with them

: Future Beatles manager Brian Epstein hears the band for the first time in a Liverpool record shop and instantly recognizes how awesome it would be to have sex with them Sept. 15, 1962 : Pete Best stops by real quick to pick up his snare

: Pete Best stops by real quick to pick up his snare Feb. 4, 1964 : An internal dispute over whose top is moppiest nearly tears the band apart

: An internal dispute over whose top is moppiest nearly tears the band apart Mar. 11, 1967 : Paul McCartney’s absentminded humming of the Bonanza theme song shoots straight to the top of the Billboard Hot 100

: Paul McCartney’s absentminded humming of the Bonanza theme song shoots straight to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Nov. 22, 1967 : A fully awake Paul McCartney is forced to deny rumors he is sleeping

: A fully awake Paul McCartney is forced to deny rumors he is sleeping Feb. 2, 1968 : The Beatles visit Moscow, where they are heavily influenced by the teachings of the Russian Orthodox Church and incorporate more balalaika into their recordings

: The Beatles visit Moscow, where they are heavily influenced by the teachings of the Russian Orthodox Church and incorporate more balalaika into their recordings Jan. 30, 1969 : From the rooftop of their record label’s headquarters, the Beatles perform together for the last time in front of dozens of passersby who watch in horror as band members topple off the building one by one

: From the rooftop of their record label’s headquarters, the Beatles perform together for the last time in front of dozens of passersby who watch in horror as band members topple off the building one by one Aug. 8, 1969: After several dozen attempts, the photographer finally gets a shot of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road without Ringo looking directly into the camera