Monthly Archives: March 2015

‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ by Sam Cooke peaks at #31 in USA 50 years ago today (Mar 6 1965)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, Popular Music 1960s

(Saturday, March 6, 1965) — “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke peaked today at #31 on Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart for one week (less than three months after he was fatally shot Dec. 11, 1964). In 2005, the track was voted number 12 by representatives of the music industry and press in Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Shattered Cologne falls to 1st Army 70 years ago today (Mar 6 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'WW2: Cologne / Köln, Germany. (March 6 1945)'

(Tuesday, March 6, 1945; during World War II) — The Allied offensive west of the Rhine swept toward a triumphant close today when Cologne, fourth largest city of the Third Reich, fell to tank crews and doughboys of Lieut. Gen. Courtney H. Hodges’ First Army. Continue reading Shattered Cologne falls to 1st Army 70 years ago today (Mar 6 1945) →

Elvis Presley makes his television debut 60 years ago this hour (Mar 5 1955)

1950s, Elvis Presley, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Image: 'Elvis Presley - Complete Louisiana Hayride performance (March 5, 1955)'

(Saturday, March 5, 1955, 8:00 p.m. local time) — Singer Elvis Presley made his television debut tonight on the regional show Louisiana Hayride carried by KSLA-TV Shreveport (although audio recordings exist, there is no known video footage of this appearance).

Coolidge sworn in for second term as U.S. President, Dawes as 30th VP 90 years ago this hour (Mar 4 1925)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Mar. 4, 1925: Inaugural Ceremonies for Calvin Coolidge'

(Wednesday, March 4, 1925, 12:59 p.m. EST) — President Calvin Coolidge, 52, was inaugurated today for a second term of office on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice (and former U.S. President) William H. Taft administering oath of office and broadcast live on 21 radio stations coast-to-coast. Continue reading Coolidge sworn in for second term as U.S. President, Dawes as 30th VP 90 years ago this hour (Mar 4 1925) →

Theodore Roosevelt sworn in for second term as U.S. President, Fairbanks as 26th VP 110 years ago today (Mar 4 1905)

1900s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Mar. 4, 1905: Inaugural Ceremonies for Theodore Roosevelt'

(Saturday, March 4, 1905) — President Theodore Roosevelt of New York was inaugurated today for a second term as the 26th President of the United States on the East Portico of the United States Capitol with Chief Melville W. Fuller administering oath of office. Continue reading Theodore Roosevelt sworn in for second term as U.S. President, Fairbanks as 26th VP 110 years ago today (Mar 4 1905) →

Cleveland sworn in as 22nd U.S. President, Hendricks as 21st VP 130 years ago today (Mar 4 1885)

1880s, U.S. Presidents

(Wednesday, March 4, 1885) — Former Governor Grover Cleveland of New York was inaugurated today as the 22nd President of the United States at the East Portico of the United States Capitol with Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite administering oath of office.

Cleveland replaced Chester A. Arthur who had failed in a bid to be elected to a second term. Continue reading Cleveland sworn in as 22nd U.S. President, Hendricks as 21st VP 130 years ago today (Mar 4 1885) →

Lincoln sworn in for second term as U.S. President, Johnson as 16th VP 150 years ago today (Mar 4 1865)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken Burns - The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell (1865) | Ken Burns Documentary' (Jan. 31, 1865, 28:46)

(Saturday, March 4, 1865, early afternoon local time; during the American Civil War) — President Abraham Lincoln, 56, was inaugurated today for a second term of office on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase administering oath of office. Continue reading Lincoln sworn in for second term as U.S. President, Johnson as 16th VP 150 years ago today (Mar 4 1865) →

Polk sworn in as 11th U.S. President, Dallas as 11th VP 170 years ago today (Mar 4 1845)

1840s, U.S. Presidents


Video: ‘James Polk’

(Tuesday, March 4, 1845) — Former House Speaker James K. Polk of Tennessee was inaugurated today as the 11th President of the United States at the East Portico of the United States Capitol with Chief Justice Roger B. Taney administering oath of office.

Polk replaced John Tyler who had failed in a bid to be elected to a second term. Continue reading Polk sworn in as 11th U.S. President, Dallas as 11th VP 170 years ago today (Mar 4 1845) →