Monthly Archives: July 2015

The Beatles attend world premiere of ‘Help!’ in London 50 years ago tonight (July 29 1965)

1960s, Movies 1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'The Beatles movie Help! premiers in London'

(Thursday, July 29, 1965, evening BST) — Ten thousand fans gathered outside the London Pavilion tonight to see The Beatles arrive in a black Rolls-Royce for the royal premiere of their second film Help!.

Inside, they met Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, who had delayed their summer holiday for the event.

Directed by Richard Lester, the film also starred Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron, John Bluthal, Patrick Cargill, Victor Spinetti, Roy Kinnear and Mal Evans.

USS Indianapolis torpedoed by Japanese 70 years ago this hour (July 30 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'USS Indianapolis - The Darkest Moments of World War II'

(Monday, July 30, 1945, 12:14 a.m. local time; during World War II) — The Portland class heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis, having just delivered components of the atomic bomb to Tinian in the Mariana Islands, was torpedoed today by a Japanese submarine; only 317 out of nearly 1,200 men survived. Continue reading USS Indianapolis torpedoed by Japanese 70 years ago this hour (July 30 1945) →

The Beatles promote upcoming cartoon series 50 years ago today (July 29 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s, The Beatles 1960s

(Thursday, July 29, 1965) — The Beatles attended a reception today at TVC Studios in London to promote the pending debut (Sept. 25, 1965) of The Beatles Saturday morning cartoon series on ABC-TV in the U.S.

American sailors, Marines begin 19-year occupation of Haiti 100 years ago today (July 28 1915)

1910s


Video: 'U.S. Occupation of Haiti 1915 1934'

(Wednesday, July 28, 1915) — More than 300 American sailors and Marines arrived in Haiti today to restore order following the killing of Haitian President Vibrun Guillaume Sam by rebels, beginning a 19-year U.S. occupation.

President Johnson orders 50,000 more men to Vietnam and doubles draft 50 years ago this hour (July 28 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'President Johnson's News Conference, 7/28/65. MP550.'

(Wednesday, July 28, 1965, 12:34 p.m EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson announced today that United States military strength in South Vietnam would be increased from the present 75,000 men to 125,000 “almost immediately.” Continue reading President Johnson orders 50,000 more men to Vietnam and doubles draft 50 years ago this hour (July 28 1965) →

‘On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe’ by Johnny Mercer peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago today (July 28 1945)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, July 28, 1945) — “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe” by Johnny Mercer (with backing vocals by The Pied Pipers) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for seven consecutive weeks (July 28, Aug. 4/11/18/25, Sept. 1/8, 1945).

U.S. Senate ratifies United Nations Charter 70 years ago today (July 28 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Shaping The Future - U.N. Charter Becomes Reality Aka San Francisco Conference (1945)'

(Saturday, July 28, 1945; during World War II) — The United States Senate today ratified 89-2 the United Nations Security Charter, successor to the League of Nations Covenant which it rejected 26 years ago.

Bomber hits Empire State Building; 14 people killed 70 years ago this hour (July 28 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: '1945 Airplane Crashes Into The Empire State Building Killing 14'

(Saturday, July 28, 1945, 9:40 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — A twin-engine B-25 U.S. Army bomber, lost in a blinding fog, crashed into the 79th floor of New York’s Empire State Building this morning, killing 14 people including the three occupants of the plane and 11 persons in the building. Continue reading Bomber hits Empire State Building; 14 people killed 70 years ago this hour (July 28 1945) →

Tokyo ignores Allies’ surrender ultimatum 70 years ago this hour (July 28 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-The Bomb(February–September 1945)' (July 28, 1945, at 33:43)

(Saturday, July 28, 1945, 3:00 p.m. JST; during the Potsdam Conference of World War II) — Japanese Prime Minister Suzuki announced this afternoon that Japan would ignore the Potsdam Declaration, issued two days ago by the Allies meeting at the Potsdam Conference calling on Japan to surrender or face “prompt and utter destruction” (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:08:04).