Monthly Archives: March 2015

General to LBJ: Vietnam ‘could take five years and 500,000 men’ 50 years ago today (Mar 15 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'American Experience Lyndon B Johnson PBS Documentary' (Mar. 15, 1965, at 30:56)

(Monday, March 15, 1965, during the the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson Johnson met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff today and General Harold K. Johnson made a prediction that sent a shock wave through the room: “To win the war,” he said, “it could take five years and 500,000 men.”

Thieu orders South Vietnamese forces to abandon northern, central provinces 40 years ago this hour (Mar 14 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 14, 1975, at 27:04)

(Friday, March 14, 1975, 11:00 a.m. ICT; during the Battle of Ban Me Thuot, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu today ordered his forces to abandon the northern and central provinces and form a new line of defense further south.

But, hoping to avoid panic, he did not announce the withdrawal or reveal his plans. As the rumors flew, fear spread. Nobody knew what to believe and nobody wanted to be left behind.

Johnson pledges vote for all, calls Selma ‘American tragedy’ 50 years ago today (Mar 13 1965)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'President Johnson's Meeting with Governor George Wallace, 3/13/65. MP538.'

(Saturday, March 13, 1965, during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson told Gov. George C. Wallace Alabama today that police brutality in Selma, Alabama, “just must not be repeated” and that federal force would be used if necessary to protect African-Americans there. Continue reading Johnson pledges vote for all, calls Selma ‘American tragedy’ 50 years ago today (Mar 13 1965) →

Confederates authorize recruitment of black soldiers in arms 150 years ago today (Mar 13 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'PBS The Civil War: Episode 8 - War Is All Hell 1865' (Mar. 13, 1865, at 26:30)

(Monday, March 13, 1865; during the American Civil War) — Confederate President Jefferson Davis signed a measure today allowing black slaves to enlist in the Confederate States Army with the promise they would be set free.

Gorbachev picked to succeed Chernenko as Soviet leader 30 years ago this hour (Mar 11 1985)

1980s, Cold War


Video: '3/11/85: Gorbachev Becomes Soviet Leader'

(Monday, March 11, 1985, publicly announced at 6:15 p.m. MSK; during the Cold War) — Mikhail Gorbachev, 54, was elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union by the Politburo today, only three hours after the death of Konstantin Chernenko.

Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost (“openness”) and perestroika (“restructuring”) as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan and his reorientation of Soviet strategic aims would contribute to the end of the Cold War.

‘Make Room for Daddy,’ ‘The United States Steel Hour’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: 'Make Room for Daddy: The Children's Governess' (Feb. 1, 1955)

(Monday, March 7, 1955, 8:30 p.m. PST) — Make Room for Daddy dominated the 7th Emmy Awards tonight, winning two awards, including Best Situation Comedy. Continue reading ‘Make Room for Daddy,’ ‘The United States Steel Hour’ big winners at Emmy Awards 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955) →

‘Peter Pan’ Broadway production airs live on NBC-TV in color 60 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1955)

1950s, Broadway, Popular Music 1950s, Television 1950s


Video: '"Producers' Showcase" Peter Pan (7 March 1955)' (4 videos)

(Monday, March 7, 1955, 7:30-9:00 p.m. EST) — NBC-TV presented the full-length Broadway production of Peter Pan live tonight in color (only a black-and-white kinescope recording survived) as part of Producers’ Showcase, with nearly all of the show’s original cast.

The show attracted a then-record audience of 65-million viewers, the highest ever up to that time for a single television program.