Monthly Archives: August 2014

Robert Kennedy formally enters Senate race in New York 50 years ago today (Aug 25 1964)

(Tuesday, August 25, 1964) — Having been eliminated as President Lyndon Johnson’s running mate, U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, brother of the recently assassinated president, John F. Kennedy, formally entered the race for the U.S. Senate today as a Democrat from New York. The Republican opposition immediately labeled Kennedy “the carpetbagger candidate.”

Vice President Bush accepts GOP nomination for second term 30 years ago tonight (Aug 23 1984)

((Thursday, August 23, 1984, evening CDT) — U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush accepted the nomination for a second term tonight at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, describing the 1984 election as a historic dividing line in American politics (click here to watch a video of the speech).

By winning election to a second term, the Vice President said in his acceptance speech, he and President Ronald Reagan would establish the Republicans as “the party of the future.”

Republicans nominate Reagan and Bush for second terms 30 years ago tonight (Aug 22 1984)

GOP

(Wednesday, August 22, 1984) — President Ronald Reagan was unanimously nominated for a second term in Dallas tonight in an action that touched off the first sustained, deeply enthusiastic demonstrations of the 1984 Republican National Convention (click here for video of today’s convention). Continue reading Republicans nominate Reagan and Bush for second terms 30 years ago tonight (Aug 22 1984)

27,000 French soldiers die in Battle of the Frontiers 100 years ago today (Aug 22 1914)


Video: 'The Great War episode 2 Stalemate' (Aug. 22, 1914, at 18:40)

(Saturday, August 22, 1914; during the Battle of the Frontiers of World War I) — On the same day Austria-Hungary declared war against Belgium, 27,000 French soldiers died in an offensive thrust to the east of Paris towards the German borders. It was the bloodiest day in the French Army’s entire history.

Allies close Falaise pocket, defeating Germans 70 years ago this hour (Aug 21 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 5/5' (August 6-21, 1944, at 3:23)

(Monday, August 21, 1944, 2:00 p.m. CET; part of Operation Overlord during World War II) — Canadian and Polish units captured the strategically important town of Falaise, Calvados, France, today, closing the Falaise Pocket, resulting in the destruction of most of Germany’s Army Group B west of the River Seine and opening the way to Paris and the German border for the Allied armies.

French resistance rises up against German garrison in Paris 70 years ago today (Aug 19 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 5/5' (August 19, 1944, at 8:43)

(Saturday, August 19, 1944; during the Liberation of Paris, part of Operation Overlord, World War II) — The Liberation of Paris began today with an uprising by the French Forces of the Interior (FFI) against their German (and Vichy) rulers, encouraged by reports of approaching Allied forces.