Monthly Archives: May 2014

Attempt to circumvent public school desegregation ruling blocked 50 years ago today (May 25 1964)

(Monday, May 25, 1964) — The U.S. Supreme Court, in Griffin v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, today ordered the Virginia county to reopen its public schools, which officials had closed in an attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka public school desegregation ruling.

Funeral for former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis held 20 years ago this hour (May 23 1994)


Video: 'Jackie Kennedy Onassis' (11 videos, coverage begins at 10:00 a.m. EDT)

(Monday, May 23, 1994, 2:30 p.m. EDT) — Eulogized by President Clinton as a “remarkable woman whose life will forever glow in the lives of her fellow Americans,” Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was buried this afternoon on an Arlington hillside next to her martyred first husband, John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. Continue reading Funeral for former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis held 20 years ago this hour (May 23 1994)

Bank robbers Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker shot to death in police ambush 80 years ago this hour (May 23 1934)


Video: 'Real Bonnie and Clyde - Crime History Documentary' (May 23, 1934, at 38:58)

(Wednesday, May 23, 1934, approximately 9:15 a.m.) — Wanted outlaws Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police officers today as they attempted to escape apprehension in a stolen 1934 Ford Deluxe near Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

President Johnson outlines goals of his ‘Great Society’ 50 years ago today (May 22 1964)


Video: 'President Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" Speech'

(Friday, May 22, 1964) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, speaking today at the University of Michigan, outlined the goals of his “Great Society,” saying that it “rests on abundance and liberty for all” and “demands an end to poverty and racial injustice.” Continue reading President Johnson outlines goals of his ‘Great Society’ 50 years ago today (May 22 1964)

Bobby Franks, 14, murdered in ‘thrill killing’ 90 years ago today (May 21 1924)


Video: 'Leopold and Loeb trial'

(Wednesday, May 21, 1924) — In a case that drew much notoriety, 14-year-old Bobby Franks was murdered today in a “thrill killing” carried out by University of Chicago students Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb (Bobby’s cousin). Continue reading Bobby Franks, 14, murdered in ‘thrill killing’ 90 years ago today (May 21 1924)