Monthly Archives: May 2014

Battle of Cold Harbor begins near Mechanicsville, Virginia 150 years ago this hour (May 31 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Civil War Combat - Battle of Cold Harbor'

(Tuesday, May 31, 1864, 4:00 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Cold Harbor, part of the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — The Battle of Cold Harbor, remembered as one of American history’s bloodiest, most lopsided battles, began today as Union cavalry seized the crossroads of Old Cold Harbor, about 10 miles northeast of the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, holding it against Confederate attacks until the Union infantry arrived.

German soldier stationed in Nantes, France writes home 70 years ago this hour (May 31 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Ten Days to D-Day 3/7' (May 31, 1944, at 3:29)

(Wednesday, May 31, 1944, 10:00 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/4:00 a.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); 6 days before the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — A German soldier stationed in Nantes, France, writes a letter home as the Allies prepare for D-Day.

American 82nd Airborne have reached final staging post 70 years ago this hour (May 30 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Ten Days to D-Day 2/7' (May 30, 1944, at 12:13)

(Tuesday, May 30, 1944, 9:00 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/3:00 a.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); 7 days before the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — The American 82nd Airborne have reached their final staging post at Cottesmore airfield in the English Midlands by today for the upcoming invasion of Europe.  Continue reading American 82nd Airborne have reached final staging post 70 years ago this hour (May 30 1944) →

‘Dial M for Murder’ opens in New York City 60 years ago today (May 29 1954)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'Dial M for Murder' trailer

(Saturday, May 29, 1954) — Dial M for Murder, a crime thriller film about a straying husband who frames his wife for the murder of the man he’d hired to kill her, opened today in New York City at the Paramount theater.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the film starred Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings and John Williams.

Eisenhower deals with strain of planning D-Day 70 years ago this hour (May 29 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Ten Days to D-Day 1/7' (May 29, 1944, at 10:01)

(Monday, May 29, 1944, 8:00 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/2:00 a.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); 8 days before the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander in charge of the D-Day landings, perfects his golf swing, chain smokes and thinks about his family back home while at his headquarters at his headquarters near the south coast of England.   Continue reading Eisenhower deals with strain of planning D-Day 70 years ago this hour (May 29 1944) →

‘M*A*S*H,’ ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ big winners at Emmy Awards 40 years ago this hour (May 28 1974)

1970s, Television 1970s


Video: 'mash.wmv' (Sep. 22, 1973, clip)

(Monday, May 28, 1974, 9:00 p.m. EDT) — M*A*S*H dominated the 26th Primetime Emmy Awards today, winning four awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series (for the first and only time, despite a record 11 nominations). Continue reading ‘M*A*S*H,’ ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ big winners at Emmy Awards 40 years ago this hour (May 28 1974) →