Video: 'Popeye the Sailor 001 (Betty Boop) - Popeye the Sailor'
(Friday, July 14, 1933) — Cartoon character Popeye the Sailor made his movie debut today in the Fleischer Studios animated short Popeye the Sailor.
Monthly Archives: July 2013
Nazi eugenics begins with ‘Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring’ 80 years ago today (1933)
(Friday, July 14, 1933) — The Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring (Gesetz zur Verhütung erbkranken Nachwuchses) was decreed today in Nazi Germany, initially providing for the compulsory sterilization of persons with mental retardation (“hereditary feeblemindedness”), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and persons born with handicaps.
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Battle of Prokhorovka begins 70 years ago this hour (1943)
Video: 'Kursk-Battle for Prokhorovka.flv'
(Monday, July 12, 1943, 6:50 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Prokhorovka, part of the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front of World War II) — The battle of Prokhorovka between German invaders and Soviet defenders, regarded as one of the largest tank battles in military history, took place today with no clear victor.
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Highest recorded shade temperature ever measured in Death Valley 100 years ago today (1913)
Video: 'Why is Death Valley so Hot?'
(Thursday, July 10, 1913) — The highest recorded shade temperature was measured today at Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, at 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56.7 degrees Celsius). During the heat wave that peaked with that record, five consecutive days reached 129 °F (54 °C) or above.
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‘The Band Wagon’ opens in New York City 60 years ago today (1953)
Video: 'The Band Wagon' trailer
(Thursday, July 9, 1953) — The Band Wagon, a musical comedy film about an aging musical star who hopes a Broadway play will restart his career, opened today at the Music Hall in New York City.
Directed by Vincente Minnelli, the film starred Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Oscar Levant, Nanette Fabray and Jack Buchanan.
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Stories perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)
Video: 'Stories - Brother Louie ('73)'
(Saturday, July 7, 1973, 1:00 a.m. EST) — Stories were among the performers on tonight’s episode of the late-night musical variety NBC-TV series The Midnight Special as hosted again tonight by Jose Feliciano.
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Fred Lynn hits first ever All-Star grand slam 30 years ago today (1983)
Video: 'Fred Lynn (1983 All Star Game Grand Slam)'
(Wednesday, July 6, 1983) — Fred Lynn of the California Angels hit the first (and, to date, only) grand slam in an All-Star game today as the American League zoomed to a 13-3 victory over the National League in Chicago’s Comiskey Park.
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Queen releases debut single ‘Keep Yourself Alive’ 40 years ago today (1973)
Video: 'Queen - 'Keep Yourself Alive''
(Friday, July 6, 1973) — English rock group Queen today released its first single in the United Kingdom, “Keep Yourself Alive.” Written by guitarist Brian May, it was largely ignored upon its release and failed to chart on either side of the Atlantic.
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‘Blood Feast’ premieres at Peoria drive-in theater 50 years ago today (1963)
Video: 'Blood Feast (1963) - Full Movie'
(Friday, July 6, 1963) — Blood Feast, the cult horror film about a psychopathic food caterer who kills people so that he can include their body parts in his meals and perform sacrifices to his “Egyptian goddess” Ishtar, had its world premiere at a drive-in theater in Peoria, Illinois. Continue reading ‘Blood Feast’ premieres at Peoria drive-in theater 50 years ago today (1963)
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First All-Star baseball game played at Chicago’s Comiskey Park 80 years ago today (1933)
Video: 'Midsummer Classics: 1933'
(Thursday, July 6, 1933) — The American League today won the 1933 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the first ever, beating the National League 4-2 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Babe Ruth, 38, famously hit the first home run in All-Star Game history, putting the AL up 3-0 in the third inning.
