Daily Archives: July 4, 2014

The Beach Boys return to National Mall one year after ban 30 years ago today (July 4 1984)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, Television 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Beach Boys - 4th Of July 1984'

(Wednesday, July 4, 1984) — Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr played drums today for The Beach Boys, who celebrated the 4th of July today by performing in front of a crowd of 750,000 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., one year after being banned for attracting “the wrong element” by then-Secretary of Interior James Watt. Continue reading The Beach Boys return to National Mall one year after ban 30 years ago today (July 4 1984) →

U.S. Marine on Saipan describes ‘ugly, rotten, dirty business’ 70 years ago today (July 4 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Documentary World War 2 II in Colour The Second World War color' (July 4, 1944, at 1:27:14)

(Tuesday, July 4, 1944; during the Battle of Saipan, part of World War II, Pacific War) — A U.S. Marine fighting the Japanese for control of Saipan wrote home today, describing the “unforgettable experience” as an “ugly, rotten, dirty business.”