Monthly Archives: September 2012

Gandhi begins hunger strike ‘unto death’ to force Britain to end Hindu caste system 80 years ago today (1932)


Video: ‘Footage – Gandhi – 1932 September 24’

(Tuesday, September 20, 1932)Mahatma K. Gandhi, the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement, solemnly began his “fast unto death” today behind the walls of Yerovda jail at Poona, where he’s been held since January.

Gandhi says he will starve himself to death unless the British government’s plan for creating a separate electorate for the depressed classes is discarded.

‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Barney Miller’ top Emmys 30 years ago tonight (1982)


Video: 'Ingrid Bergman' s Emmy for GOLDA'

(Sunday, September 19, 1982) — The late Ingrid Bergman won an Emmy tonight for her portrayal of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, while Hill Street Blues was the big winner for the second straight year with six awards, including best dramatic series. Continue reading ‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Barney Miller’ top Emmys 30 years ago tonight (1982)

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


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)


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)


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.

Confederate, Union soldiers clash in final part of bloodiest one-day battle in American history 150 years ago this hour (1862)


Video: Sept. 17, 1862 (part three at 52:20)

(Wednesday, September 17, 1862, 12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., local time, part of the Maryland Campaign during the American Civil War) — The third of three battles in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest battle day in U.S. history (located near Maryland’s Antietam Creek at Sharpsburg), began this afternoon as Union Gen. Ambrose Burnside attacked Gen. James Longstreet’s troops across a stone bridge that came to bear Burnside’s name. Continue reading Confederate, Union soldiers clash in final part of bloodiest one-day battle in American history 150 years ago this hour (1862)

Second part of Battle of Antietam begins 150 years ago this hour (1862)


Video: Sept. 17, 1862 (second part at 49:00)

(Wednesday, September 17, 1862, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. local time, part of the Maryland Campaign during the American Civil War) — The second of three battles in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest battle day in U.S. history (located near Maryland’s Antietam Creek at Sharpsburg), began this morning as Union troops under Gen. Edwin Sumner inflicted devastating casualties on the Confederates along a sunken road that became known as “Bloody Lane.”

This fighting alone left about 5,600 casualties (killed/wounded/captured/missing) out of 22,717 for the entire day.