Video: Shenandoah Valley Campaign begins (at 8:06)
(Monday, June 9, 1862, during the American Civil War) — Stonewall Jackson concluded his successful Shenandoah Valley Campaign today with a victory in the Battle of Port Republic. His tactics during the campaign are now studied by militaries around the world.
(Thursday, June 8, 1972) — Film director and producer Alfred Hitchock appeared on tonight’s ‘The Dick Cavett Show’ on ABC-TV, making the memorable quote: “Puns are the highest form of literature.” (Click here to watch complete interview, part 1 | part 2? | part 3? | part 4?
Video: Monroe fired June 8, 1962 (at 12:14)
(Friday, June 8, 1962) — 20th Century Fox fired actress Marilyn Monroe today from its production Something’s Got to Give, saying she was unreliable having only reported for work on twelve occasions out of a total of 35 days of production. Fox later changed its mind, but Monroe died before filming could resume, and the movie was abandoned.
Audio: 'Adeste Fideles' (1942 version)
(Monday, June 8, 1942) — Still in a Christmas mood ten days after recording White Christmas, the best-selling single of all time, singer Bing Crosby recorded new versions of Adeste Fideles and Silent Night today in Los Angeles for Decca Records. Continue reading Crosby records new versions of ‘Adeste Fideles,’ ‘Silent Night’ 70 years ago today (1942)
Video: Yorktown torpedoed (at 5:11)
(Saturday, June 6, 1942, 10:20 p.m. ET, part of the Pacific Theater of World War II) — The Japanese withdrew today on the third day of The Battle of Midway, but the damaged US carrier Yorktown was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-168. Still, the Yorktown remains afloat. However, a third torpedo from this salvo struck and sank the destroyer USS Hammann, which had been providing auxiliary power to Yorktown. Hammann broke in two with the loss of 80 lives, most due to her own depth charges exploding.
Video: 'The Quiet Man' trailer
(Wednesday, June 6, 1952) — The Quiet Man, a romantic comedy-drama film about a retired American boxer who returns to the village where he was born in Ireland and finds love, opened today in Dublin and London.
The film was directed by John Ford and stars John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Victor McLaglen and Barry Fitzgerald. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning Best Director and Best Cinematography.
Image: Battle of the rams
(Friday, June 6, 1862, during the American Civil War) — The First Battle of Memphis took place today as Union naval forces annihilated a Confederate fleet and captured the Tennessee city.
Video: STS-111 launch
(Wednesday, June 5, 2002, 17:22:49 p.m. EDT) — Space shuttle Endeavour roared into orbit late this afternoon on a flight to deliver new residents to the international space station following nearly a week’s delay.
Video: Battle of Midway, June 5, 1942 (at 3:59)
(Friday, June 5, 1942, part of the Pacific Theater of World War II) — On the second day of The Battle of Midway, Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma collide and sustain damage while maneuvering to avoid a submarine attack (Miruma was sunk by air attack on June 6). Two more Japanese carriers are lost: Akagi is scuttled and Hiryu sinks from damage sustained yesterday.
Video: 'Poltergeist' trailer
(Friday, June 4, 1982) — Poltergeist, a horror film about a family whose home is invaded by malevolent ghosts that abduct the family’s youngest daughter, opened today at the Cinerama in New York and other U.S. theaters.
Directed by Tobe Hooper, the film stars Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne, Oliver Robins, Heather O’Rourke and Zelda Rubinstein.
