Monthly Archives: May 2015

Watergate ‘Deep Throat’ identified as no. 2 at FBI 10 years ago today (May 31 2005)

2000s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: '5/31/2005: Deep Throat Revealed'

(Tuesday, May 31, 2005) — Breaking a silence of 30 years, former FBI official W. Mark Felt stepped forward today as “Deep Throat,” the secret Washington Post source during the Watergate scandal.

‘La Haine’ released in France 20 years ago today (May 31 1995)

1990s, movies 1990s


Video: 'La Haine' trailer

(Wednesday, May 31, 1995) — La Haine, a French black-and-white drama/suspense film about about three young friends and their struggle to live in the suburbs of Paris, was released today in France.

Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, the film starred Vincent Cassel, Hubert Kounde and Said Taghmaoui.

‘Ran’ released in Japan 30 years ago today (May 31 1985)

1980s, Movies 1980s


Video: 'Ran' trailer

(Friday, May 31, 1985) — Ran, a Japanese-French jidaigeki epic film about how an aging lord’s decision to retire brings out the worst in his sons, was released today at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Directed by Akira Kurosawa, the film starred Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu and Daisuke Ryu.

Interim Committee considers ‘demonstration’ of atomic bomb 70 years ago this hour (May 31 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (May 31, 1945, 32:09/39:27)

(Thursday, May 31, 1945, 10:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m./2:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — The Interim Committee, created by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson at the urging of leaders of the Manhattan Project (a research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs), met secretly today at the Pentagon to consider the idea of giving the Japanese a non-combat demonstration of the new weapon of mass destruction.

First Lady Bess Truman christens ambulance plane 70 years ago today (May 30 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Harry S. Truman — Bess Truman Christens an Ambulance Plane'

(Wednesday, May 30, 1945, Memorial Day; during World War II) — In her first public appearance as first lady, Bess Truman today tried to christen an ambulance plane at Washington’s National Airport with a unprepared bottle of champagne. Eventually a hammer is employed against the bubbly (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:51:40).