Daily Archives: August 5, 2014

President Nixon admits previous order to halt inquiry on Watergate 40 years ago today (Aug 5 1974)


Video: 'Nixon: raw watergate tape: 'smoking gun' section'

(Monday, August 5, 1974, 7:05 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — In a sharp setback to his fight’ against impeachment, U.S. President Richard Nixon admitted today that six days after the June 17, 1972, Watergate burglary he ordered a halt to the investigation of the break-in for political as well as national security reasons and that he kept the evidence from his lawyers and supporters on the House Judiciary Committee (click here for a clip of Aug. 5, 1974, from ‘The Presidents: Nixon’ at 2:39:40).

First American flier shot down, captured by North Vietnam 50 years ago today (Aug 5 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Alvarez at 15:07)

(Wednesday, August 5, 1964; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Navy pilot Everett Alvarez Jr. became the first American flier to be shot down and captured by North Vietnam today; he was held prisoner until February 1973.

Farragut leads Union victory at Battle of Mobile Bay Alabama 150 years ago this hour (Aug 5 1864)


Video: 'Stamp unveiled for 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay'

(Saturday, August 5, 1864, 6:47 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Mobile Bay, part of the American Civil War) — Union Admiral David G. Farragut led a Union flotilla through Confederate defenses today in the Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, sealing one of the last major Southern ports.