(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.
Monthly Archives: May 2014
‘The Thin Man’ released in the U.S. 80 years ago today (May 25 1934)
Video: 'The Thin Man'
(Friday, May 25, 1934) — The Thin Man, a comedy-mystery film about a husband-and-wife detective team who take on the search for a missing inventor, was released in today in the U.S.
Directed by W. S. Van Dyke, the film starred William Powell and Myrna Loy.
319 killed in riot over referee’s decision 50 years ago today (May 24 1964)
Video: '24 May 1964 Peru&Argentina National Disaster'
(Sunday, May 24, 1964) — The crowd at a football match in Lima, Peru, rioted today over a referee’s decision in the Peru-Argentina game. 319 people were killed, another 500 injured.
Morse formally opens America’s first telegraph line 170 years ago this hour (May 24 1844)
Video: 'What Hath God Wrought?'
(Friday, May 24, 1844, 8:45 a.m. local time) — Samuel F.B. Morse transmitted the message “What hath God wrought” from Washington to Baltimore today as he formally opened America’s first telegraph line.
‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’ opens in New York City 40 years ago today (May 23 1974)
Video: 'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot' trailer
(Thursday, May 23, 1974) — Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, a crime film about an ex-thief who teams up with an enthusiastic, amiable young drifter, opened today in New York City.
Directed by Michael Cimino, the film starred Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges.
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)
Bill Haley’s ‘Rock Around the Clock’ released 60 years ago today (May 20 1954)
(Thursday, May 20, 1954) — Bill Haley & His Comets’s “Rock Around the Clock,” considered the first rock and roll song to top the charts, was released today, but it didn’t catch on until it appeared on the soundtrack of Blackboard Jungle the following year.