Monthly Archives: May 2014

Grant moves south, Battle of the Wilderness ends 150 years ago today (May 7 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle of the Wilderness' (May 7, 1864, at 34:17)

(Saturday, May 7, 1864; during the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — Following two days of intense fighting in the Battle of the Wilderness, the Army of the Potomac, under the command of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, moved south today.

Grant’s forces had clashed with Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia in a pitched and confused two-day battle in which neither side gained a clear victory.

The Beach Boys record ‘Our Favorite Recording Session’ 50 years ago today (May 6 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'The Beach Boys - Our Favorite Recording Sessions'

(Wednesday, May 6, 1964) — The Beach Boys today recorded “Our Favorite Recording Session,” a series of outtakes and miscellaneous studio chatter edited into a two-minute filler, at Western Recorder studios in Hollywood for the group’s album All Summer Long.

Kathleen Kennedy marries Billy Cavendish in London 70 years ago today (May 6 1944)

1940s

(Saturday, May 6, 1944) — Kathleen Kennedy, the 24-year-old fourth child of Joseph and Rose Kennedy and a younger sister of future U.S. President John F. Kennedy, today married William “Billy” Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington, in a civil ceremony at the Caxton Hall Registry Office in Westminster, London, England.

Her eldest brother Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., whom she had grown close to during the last year of his life, was the only member of the Kennedy family to attend the ceremony.

British release Indian nationalist leader Gandhi released from prison 70 years ago today (May 6 1944)

1940s


Video: 'Footage - Gandhi - 1944 May 6, #01'

(Saturday May 6, 1944) — Indian nationalist leader Mohandas K. Gandhi was unconditionally released by British authorities today “wholly on medical grounds” from a prison at Toona, India, after 21 months of internment for advocating only passive resistance to the Japanese. Doctors prescribed rest for his blood infection.

Confederate general struck down during Battle of the Wilderness 150 years ago today (May 6 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle of the Wilderness' (May 6, 1864, at 32:52)

(Friday, May 6, 1864; during the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate General James Longstreet was caught in the fire of his own troops during the Battle of the Wilderness today near Fredericksburg, Virginia, leaving his right arm paralyzed.