Monthly Archives: July 2015

U.S., Soviet astronauts unite ships, join in historic handshakes 40 years ago this hour (July 17 1975)

1970s, space exploration


Video: 'Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Handshake'

(Thursday, July 17, 1975, 3:19 p.m. EDT) — Astronauts of the United States and the Soviet Union united spaceships today and then Apollo commander Tom Stafford and Soyuz commander Alexei Leonov joined hands in the first international meeting away from earth, a symbolic gesture of the two nations’ expressed desire to cooperate in the exploration of space. Continue reading U.S., Soviet astronauts unite ships, join in historic handshakes 40 years ago this hour (July 17 1975) →

‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag’ single by James Brown released in USA 50 years ago today (July 17 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'James Brown - Papa's got a brand new bag (HQ)'

(Saturday, July 17, 1965) — The single “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown was released today in the U.S. on the King label. In 2004, Rolling Stone placed the song at number 72 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Continue reading ‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag’ single by James Brown released in USA 50 years ago today (July 17 1965) →

‘Unchained Melody’ single by The Righteous Brothers released in USA 50 years ago today (July 17 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (High Quality)'

(Saturday, July 17, 1965) — The single “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers was released today in the U.S. on the Phillies label. In 2004, Rolling Stone placed the Righteous Brothers version of the song at number 365 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Potsdam Conference of Truman, Churchill and Stalin called to order 70 years ago this hour (July 17 1945)

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


Video: 'Potsdam Conference: Big Three: Truman, Stalin & Churchill Meet in Berlin 1945 US US OWI Newsreel' (Potsdam Conference begins at 2:23-3:01)

(Tuesday, July 17, 1945, 5:10 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — The Potsdam Conference, convened to decide how to administer punishment to the defeated Nazi Germany and plan the final stages of the Pacific Theater of World War II, was called to order this afternoon at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern, in Potsdam, occupied Germany (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:58:54). Continue reading Potsdam Conference of Truman, Churchill and Stalin called to order 70 years ago this hour (July 17 1945) →

Soviet leader Stalin calls on President Truman in Babelsberg 70 years ago this hour (July 17 1945)

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


Video: 'Potsdam Conference: Big Three: Truman, Stalin & Churchill Meet in Berlin 1945 US US OWI Newsreel' (Stalin and Truman at 2:11-2:23)

(Tuesday, July 17, 1945, 12:00 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — Soviet leader Joseph Stalin called on U.S. President Harry S. Truman today at U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg, Germany, ahead of the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945). (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:57:01).

President Truman inspects the ruins of Berlin 70 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

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


Video: 'Potsdam Conference: Big Three: Truman, Stalin & Churchill Meet in Berlin 1945 US US OWI Newsreel' (Truman inspects Berlin ruins at 1:45-2:05)

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 4:57 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, in Germany for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945), visited Berlin this afternoon to inspect the city’s ruins following the end of World War II in Europe (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:54:56).

President Truman inspects 2nd Armored ‘Hells on Wheels’ Division in Germany 70 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

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


Video: 'Potsdam Conference: Big Three: Truman, Stalin & Churchill Meet in Berlin 1945 US US OWI Newsreel' (Truman inspects Second Armored Division at 3:01)

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 3:40 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, in Germany for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945), left U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg this afternoon to inspect the ruins of Berlin, stopping to inspect the famous 2nd Armored “Hells on Wheels” Division drawn up along the wide AVUS super-highway between Potsdam and Berlin.