Monthly Archives: September 2012

Germans attack Russian grain elevator near Stalingrad 70 years ago today (1942)

1940s, World War II


Video: Sept. 16, 1942 (at 5:59)

(Wednesday, September 16, 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:

Our battalion, plus tanks, is attacking the [grain] elevator, from which smoke is pouring – the grain in it is burning, the Russians seem to have set it light themselves. Barbarism . . . The elevator is occupied not by men, but by devils that no flames or bullets can destroy . . .

Union captain describes conditions on the eve of the Battle of Antietam 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: Sept. 16, 1862 (at 43:40)

(Tuesday, September 16, 1862, during the American Civil War) — On the eve of the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, Union Capt. Edward Hastings Ripley wrote about conditions near Sharpsburg, Maryland.

Lee deploys Confederate forces near Sharpsburg 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: Sept. 15, 1862 (at 42:35)

(Monday, September 15, 1862, during Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate General Robert E. Lee started to deploy his available forces today behind Antietam Creek, along a low ridge near Sharpsburg, Maryland.

USS Wasp torpedoed by Japanese submarine 70 years ago this hour (1942)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'USS WASP (CV-7) sinking movies'

(Tuesday, September 15, 1942, at about 2:44 p.m. local time, during World War II) — The aircraft carrier USS Wasp was torpedoed today by a Japanese submarine some 170 miles southeast of San Cristobal Island. The U.S. Navy ended up sinking the badly damaged aircraft carrier.

‘The Waltons’ debuts on CBS-TV 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, Television 1970s


Video: 'The Waltons s01e01 - The Foundling'

(Thursday, September 14, 1972, 8:00 p.m. EDT) — The Waltons, a drama about a family in a rural Virginia community during the Great Depression and World War II, debuted as a regular series tonight on CBS-TV (it first aired as a TV movie entitled The Homecoming: A Christmas Story on Dec. 19, 1971). It starred Richard Thomas, Ralph Waite, Michael Learned, Ellen Corby and Will Geer.

Nixon makes first appearance on ‘Meet The Press’ 60 years ago today (1952)

1950s, Television 1950s, U.S. Presidents

(Sunday, September 14, 1952, during the 1952 U.S. presidential campaign) — Republican vice presidential nominee Richard Nixon made his first appearance today on Meet The Press, a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC.

‘Tug of War/Get It’ by Paul McCartney released 30 years ago today (1982)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Tug of War'

(Monday, September 13, 1982) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney today released the single Tug of War/Get It (duet with Carl Perkins) in both the U.S. and Britain, the third single from his album Tug of War. Continue reading ‘Tug of War/Get It’ by Paul McCartney released 30 years ago today (1982) →

Space shuttle Endeavour blasts off with history-making crew 20 years ago this hour (1992)

1990s, space exploration


Video: '1992: Space Shuttle Flight 50 (STS-47) - Endeavour'

(Saturday, September 12, 1992, 10:23:00.0680 a.m. EDT) — The space shuttle Endeavour blasted off today, carrying with it Mark Lee and Jan Davis, the first married couple in space, Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space, and Mamoru Mohri, the first Japanese national to fly on a U.S. spaceship.

George Harrison profiled on ‘In Concert ’92’ 20 years ago this hour (1992)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s, Television 1990s, The Beatles 1990s


Video: 'George Harrison Interview In Concert Profile Live in Japan Tour 7/7/92'

(Saturday, September 12, 1992, 12:00 a.m. EDT) — Ex-Beatle George Harrison appeared tonight on In Concert ’92 on ABC-TV to talk about his recent tour of Japan. The interview was taped in London sometime between June 29-July 4.

‘The Rookies’ debuts on ABC-TV 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, Television 1970s


Video: 'The Rookies'

(Monday, September 11, 1972, 8:00 p.m. EDT) — The Rookies, a crime drama television series that follows the exploits of three rookie police officers in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California Police Department (SCPD), debuted tonight on ABC-TV.