Monthly Archives: April 2012

Fires, looting out of control in Los Angeles 20 years ago today (1992)


Video: 1992 Los Angeles Riots (KTLA-TV, Apr. 30, 1992, starting at 6:50 p.m. PDT)

(Thursday, April 30, 1992) — A second day of violence following the acquittal of three white and one Hispanic Los Angeles police officers in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King appeared widespread and unchecked as heavy looting and fires were witnessed today across Los Angeles County. Continue reading Fires, looting out of control in Los Angeles 20 years ago today (1992)

Angry rioters in LA beat truck driver Reginald Denny 20 years ago this hour (1992)

(Wednesday, April 29, 1992, 6:46 p.m. PDT) — Reginald Oliver Denny, a white truck driver who stopped at a traffic light in Los Angeles, was dragged from his vehicle and severely beaten tonight by a mob of local black residents as news helicopters hovered above, recording every blow, including a concrete fragment connecting with Denny’s temple and a cinder block thrown at his head as he lay unconscious in the street.

Deadly rioting had erupted in Los Angeles after a jury in Simi Valley today acquitted four Los Angeles police officers this afternoon of almost all state charges in the videotaped beating of Rodney King.

Roosevelt, 26 other governors dine at Hoover White House 80 years ago this hour (1932)


Video: FDR at White House, April 28, 1932 (at 2:33)

(Thursday, April 28, 1932, 8:00 p.m. EDT) — 27 governors, including New York’s Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democratic candidate for president, sat down dinner tonight at the White House as guests of President and Mrs. Hoover, thus closing their 24th annual conference, which began Apr. 25 in Richmond.

Ringo Starr’s ‘Weight Of The World’ single released 20 years ago today (1992)


Video: 'Weight Of The World'

(Tuesday, April 28, 1992)Weight Of The World/After All These Years/Don’t Be Cruel, a 5″ CD single by ex-Beatle Ringo Starr from his upcoming album Time Takes Time, was released today in the U.S. (it would be released in the UK as a 7″ single, without Don’t Be Cruel, on May 18, 1992). Continue reading Ringo Starr’s ‘Weight Of The World’ single released 20 years ago today (1992)

Apollo 16 right on target as 11-day mission ends 40 years ago this hour (1972)


Video: Apollo 16 on Apr. 27, 1972 (at 25:10)

(Thursday, April 27, 1972, 2:45 p.m. EST) — Three U.S. astroanuts splashed down with unparalleled accuracy in the Pacific today, concluding the 11-day flight of Apollo 16 in gentle blue seas about 1,520 miles south of Honolulu. Commander John W. Young and his rookie spacemen, Charles M. Duke Jr. and Thomas K. “Ken” Mattingly, pronounced themselves in “outstanding” condition.

Paul McCartney performs at New York’s Madison Square Garden 10 years ago tonight (2002)


Video: 'Coming Up' (CD version)

(Friday, April 26, 2002) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney performed tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York, the 11th stop of his 19-city Driving USA Tour. Continue reading Paul McCartney performs at New York’s Madison Square Garden 10 years ago tonight (2002)

Korean prisoner of war talks off indefinititely 60 years ago today (1952)


Video: POW talks shut down (at 9:30)

(Friday, April 25, 1952, during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — Negotiations for an exchange of war prisoners were suspended indefinitely today in Panmunjom, Korea, when the Communists angrily accused the Allies of refusing to return 100,000 of the 170,000 Reds in their hands. Continue reading Korean prisoner of war talks off indefinititely 60 years ago today (1952)