Monthly Archives: June 2014

Soviet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defects in Toronto 40 years ago today (June 29 1974)

1970s, Cold War


Video: '1974: Mikhail Baryshnikov defects from the Soviet Union'

(Saturday, June 29, 1974; during the Cold War) — Mikhail Baryshnikov, considered one of the world’s greatest dancers, ran three blocks today to a waiting car in Toronto and effectively defected from the Soviet Union.

Malcolm X declares ‘we want equality by any means necessary’ 50 years ago today (June 28 1964)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Malcolm X - By Any Means Necessary - Organization for Afro American Unity'

(Sunday, June 28, 1964; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — Civil rights activist Malcolm X declared, “We want equality by any means necessary” today during the Founding Rally of the Organization of Afro-American Unity in New York.

President Richard Nixon arrives in Moscow 40 years ago today (June 27 1974)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents

(Thursday, June 27, 1974; during the Watergate scandal) — U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev vowed to seek lasting world peace as their week of summit talks began today in Moscow in an atmosphere of flag-waving, laughing conviviality.

It was Nixon’s second visit to Moscow as president (the first, in May 1972, was a first for a sitting U.S. president) (click here for video at 2:35:53).

Confederates defeat Federals in Battle of Kennesaw Mountain 150 years ago this hour (June 27 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Civil War: Battle at Kennesaw Mountain'

(Monday, June 27, 1864, 8:00-10:45 a.m.local time; during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War) — Confederate forces repelled a frontal assault by Union troops today in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in Cobb County, Georgia.

The Rolling Stones release ‘It’s All Over Now,’ band’s first #1 in UK, 50 years ago today (June 26 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Rolling Stones - It's All Over Now (stereo)'

(Friday, June 26, 1964) — “It’s All Over Now,” the first song to reach number one in Britain by The Rolling Stones, was released today.

Americans capture most of Cherbourg 70 years ago today (June 26 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 5/5' (June 19-26, 1944, at 0:00)

(Monday, June 26, 1944; during the Battle of Cherbourg on the Western Front of World War II) — Most of Cherbourg, except the port, was occupied today by U.S. 7th Corps (part of U.S. 1st Army). The fortified port, which was considered vital to the campaign in Western Europe, surrendered on June 29, 1944.

Franklin Roosevelt, disabled by polio, re-enters public arena 90 years ago today (June 26 1924)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'FDR: The Fighting President (Part lll)' (June 26, 1924, at 2:59)

(Thursday, June 26, 1924) — Franklin D. Roosevelt re-entered the public arena today, moving to the podium at the Democratic National Convention in New York City, assisted only by his two crutches, to nominate New York Governor Al Smith for president.

Three years before the convention, Roosevelt contracted polio, a disease which left him paralyzed from the waist down (click here for more video of this event at 1:14:25).

President John Tyler weds second wife in New York 170 years ago today (Jun 26 1844)

1840s, U.S. Presidents

(Wednesday, June 26, 1844) — U.S. President John Tyler, a 54-year-old widower, married Julia Gardiner, 24, today at the Church of the Ascension in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Gardiner became the 11th (and the youngest up to that time) First Lady of the United States.

Supermarket price scanner debuts in Troy, Ohio 40 years ago today (June 26 1974)

1970s

(Wednesday, June 26, 1974, 8:01 a.m. EDT) — The supermarket price scanner made its debut this morning in Troy, Ohio, as a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit chewing gum costing 67 cents and bearing a Uniform Product Code (UPC) was scanned by Marsh Supermarket cashier Sharon Buchanan for customer Clyde Dawson.

The barcoded package of gum, never chewed, is on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.