Monthly Archives: July 2016

President Johnson signs Freedom of Information Act 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1966)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Bill Moyers Essay: The Freedom of Information Act'

(Monday, July 4 1966) — President Lyndon B. Johnson today signed the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government, which went into effect the following year.

Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1776)

1770s, American Revolutionary War


Video: 'The Revolution: Declaring Independence' (July 4, 1776, at 26:00)

(Thursday, July 4, 1776; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — The Continental Congress meeting at Philadelphia today ratified the Declaration of Independence, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with the Kingdom of Great Britain, regarded themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states, and no longer under British rule. Continue reading Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1776) →

The Beatles perform first of two shows in Manila 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1966)

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


Video: 'The Beatles Live in Manila July 4 1966'

(Monday, July 4, 1966, 4:00 p.m. PHT) — The Beatles performed the first of two shows at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila, Philippines this afternoon on the second and last stop of the band’s Summer 1966 Asia Mini-Tour.

The Beatles played for a combined audience of 80,000 in attendance for the two shows (the second one at 8:30 p.m.), unmatched anywhere in the band’s touring history. Continue reading The Beatles perform first of two shows in Manila 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 4 1966) →

Nation rekindles Statue of Liberty as beacon of hope 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 3 1986)

1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Liberty Weekend July 3 1986 Pt 1' (Reagan spoke at 9:28 p.m. and 11:04 p.m.; the torch was lit at 11:08 p.m.)

(Thursday, July 3, 1986, evening EDT; during Liberty Weekend) — With the eyes of America on its most cherished symbol of freedom, the city and the nation rededicated the Statue of Liberty in a blaze of light tonight, marking its centennial as a beacon of hope in New York Harbor. Continue reading Nation rekindles Statue of Liberty as beacon of hope 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 3 1986) →

Israeli commandos launch mission to rescue 106 people held in Uganda 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 3 1976)

1970s


Video: 'Operation Thunderbolt: Entebbe Documentary (2000)'

(Saturday, July 3, 1976, 11:00 p.m. IST) — Israeli commandos tonight raided Entebbe airport in Uganda, rescuing 102 of 106 passengers and crew of an Air France jetliner seized June 27, 1976, by pro-Palestinian hijackers. Continue reading Israeli commandos launch mission to rescue 106 people held in Uganda 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 3 1976) →

The Beatles arrive in Manila, forced to socialize with Filipino fat cat 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 3 1966)

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


Image: The Beatles at the press conference in Manila

(Sunday, July 3, 1966) — The Beatles arrived in Manila today from Tokyo (via a refueling stop in Hong Kong) wherein, after holding a news conference, they were surrounded by military personnel, separated from their their associates and forced to socialize on the private yacht of industrialist Don Manolo Elizalde off Manila’s south harbor.

The Beatles and entourage moved to the Manila Hotel at around 4:00 a.m. the following day.