(Wednesday, June 24, 1964) — AT&T inaugurated commercial “Picturephone” service between New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., today as First Lady Lady Bird Johnson called Dr. Elizabeth A. Wood of Bell Laboratories in New York.
Requiring the use of video booths, with a 3-minute call from Washington to New York costing $16, and a $27 charge for a 3-minute call between New York and Chicago, Picturephone never caught on.
Video: 'Forrest Gump' trailer
(Thursday, June 23, 1994) — Forrest Gump, an epic romantic comedy-drama film about a simple yet kindhearted soul and his serendipitous brushes with greatness, premiered today in Los Angeles, California.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film starred Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson and Sally Field.
Video: 'A Shot in the Dark' (trailer)
(Tuesday, June 23, 1964) — A Shot in the Dark, the second installment in The Pink Panther series featuring Inspector Jacques Clouseau of the French Sûreté, was released today in U.S. theaters, including the Astor and the Trans-Lux East in New York City. Continue reading ‘A Shot in the Dark’ released in U.S. 50 years ago today (June 23 1964)
Video: 'The Karate Kid' trailer
(Friday, June 22, 1984) — The Karate Kid, a martial arts romantic drama film about a boy who learns karate from a retired master to deal with school bullies, was released to U.S. theaters today.
Directed by John G. Avildsen, the film starred Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki “Pat” Morita and Elisabeth Shue.
Video: 'Chinatown' trailer
(Thursday, June 20, 1974) — Chinatown, a neo-noir film about a Los Angeles private eye who unwittingly sets up an innocent man for murder, then joins his seductive widow to unearth the corruption behind the crime, was released today in the U.S.
Directed by Roman Polanski, the film starred Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston.
Video: 'The World At War: Pacific 2/5' (June 20, 1944, 2:33-7:21)
(Tuesday, June 20, 1944, 3:40 p.m. ChST; part of World War II, Pacific War) — U.S. Task Force 58 launched an air strike on the Japanese fleet this afternoon, sinking the carrier Hiyo on the second and final day of the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Continue reading Task Force 58 attacks Japanese fleet 70 years ago this hour (June 20 1944)
Video: 'Twilight Zone: The Bewitchin' Pool'
(Friday, June 19, 9:30 p.m. EDT) — Two unhappy children find a happy escape in a swimming pool on the series finale of the anthology TV series created by Rod Serling The Twilight Zone.
Image: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reacts in St. Augustine after learning that the U.S. Senate passed the Civil Rights Act by two votes, June 19, 1964
(Friday, June 19, 1964, during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–68)) — The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was approved today by the U.S. Senate, 73-27, after surviving a lengthy filibuster.
Video: 'The World At War: Morning 4/5' (June 19, 1944, at 9:17)
(Monday, June 19, 1944; during the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — A raging Atlantic storm, the worst in June for 40 years, battered the D-Day beaches of Normandy today, casting about like matchsticks the 1,000-ton concrete caissons that formed the perimeter of a temporary Allied harbor, known as Mulberry Harbor, built off Omaha Beach.
Video: 'The World At War: Pacific 1/5' (June 19, 1944, at 8:31)
(Monday, June 19, 1944, 5:50 a.m. ChST; part of World War II, Pacific War) — The Battle of the Philippine Sea, a decisive naval battle which eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy’s ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions, began today. Continue reading Great Marianas Turkey Shoot begins 70 years ago this hour (June 19 1944)
