Monthly Archives: August 2013

Electric Light Orchestra, Joe Walsh perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, Television 1970s


Video: 'Electric Light Orchestra - Roll Over Beethoven'

(Saturday, August 18, 1973, 1:00 a.m. EST) — Electric Light Orchestra and Joe Walsh were among the performers on tonight’s episode of the late-night musical variety NBC-TV series The Midnight Special as hosted tonight by Richard Pryor. Continue reading Electric Light Orchestra, Joe Walsh perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973) →

Roosevelt, Churchill meet at Quebec City to plan invasion of France 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 1/5' (Aug. 17-24, 1943, at 3:17)

(Tuesday, August 17, 1943,; during World War II) — The First Quebec Conference (codenamed “QUADRANT”), a highly secret military conference between the British, Canadian and United States governments, began today in Quebec City, Canada.

Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt (hosted by Canada’s prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King) would agree to begin discussions for the planning of the invasion of France and an increase in the bombing offensive against Germany.

There were also discussions about improving the coordination of efforts to develop an atomic bomb.

‘Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring’ premieres at Locarno Film Festival 10 years ago today (2003)

2000s, movies 2000s


Video: 'Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring' trailer

(Thursday, August 14, 2003) — Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring, a South Korean film about the life of a Buddhist monk as he passes through the seasons of his life from childhood to old age, premiered today at the Locarno Film Festival in Locarno, Switzerland.

Directed by Kim Ki-duk, the film starred Oh Yeong-su, Kim Young-min, Seo Jae-kyung, Kim Jong-ho and Ha Yeo-jin.

‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’ opens in U.S. theaters 20 years ago today (1993)

1990s, movies 1990s


Video: 'Searching for Bobby Fischer' trailer

(Wednesday, August 11, 1993) — Searching for Bobby Fischer, a drama film about a prepubescent chess prodigy who refuses to harden himself in order to become a champion like the famous but unlikable Bobby Fischer, opened today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by Steven Zaillian, the film starred Max Pomeranc, Joe Mantegna, Joan Allen, Ben Kingsley, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Nirenberg and Robert Stephens.

President Harding’s body laid to rest in Marion, Ohio 90 years ago this hour (1923)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Warren G. Harding: America's 29th President' (Aug. 10, 1923, at 13:42)

(Friday, August 10, 1923, 4:18 p.m. EST) — The casket containing the body of Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States, was placed in the vine-covered vault prepared for it in the Marion Cemetery today. It will rest there until his fellow townsmen decide on the form of the memorial they would erect to honor Marion’s greatest son.

Patton slaps second soldier in a week, calling him a ‘God-damned coward’ 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'General George S. Patton 360°: Rogue General - S1E4 (part 3/4) Full History Channel Documentary' (Aug. 10, 1943, at 1:33)

(Tuesday, August 10, 1943; during the Allied invasion of Sicily, part of the Italian Campaign of World War II) — For the second time in a week, General George S. Patton, Jr., struck a U.S. Army soldier today after losing his temper. Continue reading Patton slaps second soldier in a week, calling him a ‘God-damned coward’ 70 years ago today (1943) →

President Harding’s body arrives in home town 90 years ago this hour (1923)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Warren G. Harding: America's 29th President' (Aug. 9, 1923, at 13:26)

(Thursday, August 9, 1923, 12:40 p.m. EST) — Traveling slowly through long lines of home folks, the funeral train carrying the body of President Warren G. Harding arrived today in Marion, Ohio. The body will lay in state at the home of the late president’s father before burial tomorrow.