Monthly Archives: May 2015

Germans torpedo British liner RMS Lusitania, killing 1198, including 128 Americans 100 years ago this hour (May 7 1915)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'Terror At Sea Sinking Of The Lusitania Documentary) - YouTube' (May 7, 1915, at 35:51)

(Friday, May 7, 1915, 2:10-2:28 p.m. GMT; during World War I) — In an incident that turned international opinion against Germany, the German U-boat U-20 torpedoed and sank the British liner RMS Lusitania, traveling from New York to Liverpool, off the southern coast of Ireland today, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, out of the nearly 2,000 on board. Continue reading Germans torpedo British liner RMS Lusitania, killing 1198, including 128 Americans 100 years ago this hour (May 7 1915) →

Viet Cong celebrate takeover of South Vietnam in Saigon 40 years ago today (May 7 1975)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender' (May 7, 1975, at 44:24)

(Wednesday, May 7, 1975, during the Cold War) — On the same day that the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, U.S. President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the “Vietnam era,” ending wartime veteran’s benefits for new military recruits.

Keith Richards composes opening guitar riff of ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ 50 years ago tonight (May 6 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (instrumental 1965)'

(Thursday, May 6, 1965) — After a Rolling Stones concert tonight in Clearwater, Florida, was cut short by rowdy fans, Keith Richards came up with the opening guitar riff that formed the foundation of the song of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” which he co-wrote with lead singer Mick Jagger.

The song was recorded less than a week later (on May 12, 1965), and the single was released in the United States on June 6, 1965.

Germany signs unconditional surrender 70 years ago this hour (May 7 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Capitulation Allemande à Reims Rheims German Surrender'

(Monday, May 7, 1945, 2:41 a.m. CEST; on the Western Front of World War II) — Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France, today at a little red schoolhouse that is the headquarters of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, effective May 9, 1945, at 12:01 a.m. CEST/May 8, 1945, 6:01 p.m. EWT. Continue reading Germany signs unconditional surrender 70 years ago this hour (May 7 1945) →

British liner RMS Lusitania warned of German submarine activity 100 years ago this hour (May 6 1915)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'Terror At Sea Sinking Of The Lusitania Documentary) - YouTube' (May 6, 1915, at 21:10)

(Thursday, May 6, 1915, 7:50 p.m. GMT; during World War I) — Captain William Thomas Turner of the British liner RMS Lusitania, approaching the Irish Sea on a journey from New York to Liverpool with nearly 2,000 aboard, was given a warning message twice tonight and took what he felt were prudent precautions. Continue reading British liner RMS Lusitania warned of German submarine activity 100 years ago this hour (May 6 1915) →

Babe Ruth hits his first major-league home run 100 years ago today (May 6 1915)

1910s

(Thursday, May 6, 1915; during World War I) — Rookie pitcher Babe Ruth, 20, hit the first of his 714 major-league home runs today as a player for the Boston Red Sox in the top of the third inning off Yankee right-hander Jack Warhop at the the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan, New York.

Ruth, however, was the losing pitcher in the 4-3 defeat for the Red Sox.

Nazi concentration camp Ebensee liberated 70 years ago today (May 6 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Ebensee concentration camp survivors and soldiers; Generals meetin'

(Sunday, May 6, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The Ebensee concentration camp, established to build tunnels for armaments storage near the town of Ebensee, Austria, as part of the Mauthausen network, was liberated today by American forces. Continue reading Nazi concentration camp Ebensee liberated 70 years ago today (May 6 1945) →

‘Damn Yankees’ opens on Broadway 60 years ago this hour (May 5 1955)

1950s, Broadway


Video: 'Damn Yankees (OBC) - Those Were The Good Old Days'

(Thursday, May 5, 1955, 7:45 p.m. EDT) — Damn Yankees, a new musical based on the novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop, opened tonight on Broadway at the 46th Street Theatre in New York. The production starred Ray Walston (Mr. Applegate) and Gwen Verdon (Lola).