Daily Archives: September 18, 2012

New York Post reveals ‘Secret Nixon Fund’ 60 years ago today (1952)

1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: Sept. 18, 1952 (at 2:58)

(Thursday, September 18, 1952, during the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign) — The New York Post today ran the front-page headline: “Secret Nixon Fund,” with a detailed story charging that wealthy Californians had given $18,235 to a secret campaign fund for GOP vice presidential nominee Richard Nixon in return for political favors.

While the “secret fund” was perfectly legal, the story left the impression that Nixon was on the take; being paid to do the bidding of special interests.

German soldier describes fierce fighting at grain elevator in Stalingrad 70 years ago today (1942)

1940s, World War II


Video: Sept. 18, 1942 (at 6:14)

(Friday, September 18, 1942, during the Battle of Stalingrad, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — Wilhelm Hoffman, a soldier in the 267th Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division of the German 6th Army who chronicled the Battle of Stalingrad in his journal, wrote today:

“Fighting is going on inside the elevator. The Russians inside are condemned men. The battalion commander says, ‘The commissars have ordered those men to die in the elevator.’ If all the buildings of Stalingrad are defended like this, then none of our soldiers will get back to Germany.”

Lee’s Confederate forces begin withdrawing to Virginia 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: Sept. 18, 1862 (at 56:42)

(Thursday, September 18, 1862, part of the Maryland Campaign during the American Civil War) — On the day after the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest battle day in U.S. history, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army prepared to defend against a Federal assault that never came.

After an improvised truce for both sides to recover and exchange their wounded, Lee’s forces began withdrawing across the Potomac in the evening to return to Virginia.