Monthly Archives: September 2017

Queen Elizabeth II addresses Princess Diana’s death 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 5 1997)

1990s


Video: 'UK: LONDON: QUEEN ADDRESSES NATION ON DEATH OF PRINCESS DIANA'

(Friday, September 5, 1997, 6:00 p.m. BST) — Speaking in remarkably personal terms for a British monarch, Queen Elizabeth today praised Diana, Princess of Wales, as “an exceptional and gifted human being,” and said, “I for one believe that there are lessons to be drawn from her life and from the extraordinary and moving reaction to her death.”

In a rare live television broadcast from a room overlooking the crowds of mourners milling about in front of Buckingham Palace in London on the eve of Diana’s funeral, the Queen said the Princess “never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.”

Jack Kerouac’s ‘On The Road’ published 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 5 1957)

1950s


Video: 'The Writing Of On The Road by Jack Kerouac'

(Thursday, September 5, 1957) — The novel On the Road by American writer Jack Kerouac, considered a defining work of the postwar Beat and Counterculture generations, was first published today by Viking Press. Continue reading Jack Kerouac’s ‘On The Road’ published 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 5 1957) →

First Americans killed in World War I 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1917)

1910s, World War I

(Tuesday, September 4, 1917, late evening CEST; on the Western Front during World War I) – The American Expeditionary Forces in France suffered their first fatalities today during the Great War when a German plane attacked a British-run base hospital near Dannes-Camiers in Pas-de-Calais, France.

Lt. W.T. Fitzsimmons was killed along with Pvt. Oscar Tugo, Pvt. Rudolph Rubino and Pvt. Leslie Woods.

Romney discloses ‘greatest brainwashing’ in Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1967)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'George Romney Brainwashing 1968 ElectionWallDotOrg.mp4'

(Monday, September 4, 1967) — In an interview (taped Aug. 31, 1967 and) broadcast today, Michigan Governor George Romney, a leading contender for the 1968 Republican presidential nomination, told Detroit television newsman Lou Gordon today that he “had the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get” by American generals and diplomats into supporting the Vietnam war effort while touring Southeast Asia in 1965. Continue reading Romney discloses ‘greatest brainwashing’ in Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1967) →

‘People Are Strange’/’Unhappy Girl’ single by The Doors released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1967)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Doors


Video: 'People Are Strange (New Stereo Mix Advanced Resolution)'

(Monday, September 4, 1967) — “People Are Strange”/”Unhappy Girl” by The Doors was released today in the U.S. as a single from the band’s forthcoming second studio album Strange Days. Continue reading ‘People Are Strange’/’Unhappy Girl’ single by The Doors released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1967) →

Arkansas troops bar African-American pupils 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1957)

1950s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 2) Fighting Back 1957–1962' (Sept. 4, 1957, at 8:29)

(Wednesday, September 4, 1957; during the Little Rock Crisis, part of the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968)) — Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard today to prevent African-American students from enrolling in the all-white Little Rock Central High School, citing “imminent danger of tumult, riot and breach of peace and the doing of violence to persons and property.” Continue reading Arkansas troops bar African-American pupils 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1957) →