Monthly Archives: February 2018

France formally recognizes American independence 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1778)


Video: '6th February 1778: France and the US sign the first treaties that recognise American independence'

(Friday, February 6, 1778; during the American Revolutionary War, part of the American Revolution) — The United States won official recognition and military support from France today with the signing of a Treaty of Alliance at the hôtel de Coislin in Paris. Continue reading France formally recognizes American independence 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1778)

Battle of Lang Vei begins in South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1968)


Video: 'Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War - Tet! [7/13]' (Battle of Lang Vei at 25:47)

(Tuesday, February 6, 1968, 11:30 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Tet Offensive, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Communist North Vietnamese forces attacked the U.S. Special Forces Camp at Lang Vei late tonight in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, just six miles west of the Battle of Khe Sanh. Continue reading Battle of Lang Vei begins in South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1968)

U.S. Marines recapture key buildings in Hue 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1968)


Video: 'Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War - Tet! [7/13]' (Battle of Hue at 29:24)

(Tuesday, February 6, 1968; during the Tet Offensive, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — A week into the Battle of Hue, five U.S. Marine companies recaptured some key buildings today, including a hospital, jail and provincial headquarters. Continue reading U.S. Marines recapture key buildings in Hue 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1968)

1968 Winter Olympics open in Grenoble 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1968)


Video: 'The Full Grenoble 1968 Winter Olympic Film | Olympic History'

(Tuesday, February 6, 1968, 3:00 p.m. CET) — Athletes from 37 nations marched today in the opening ceremonies of the 1968 Winter Olympics, officially known as the X Olympic Winter Games, in Grenoble in the Alps in France. Continue reading 1968 Winter Olympics open in Grenoble 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 6 1968)

SS Tuscania torpedoed off Irish coast 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1918)


Video: 'American Survivors Of Torpedoed Transport 'tuscania' (1914-1918)'

(Tuesday, February 5, 1918, approximately 6:40 p.m. GMT) — The Cunard liner SS Tuscania, which was transporting about 2,000 American troops to Europe, was torpedoed by a German U-boat tonight in the Irish Sea with the loss of approximately 210 of the troops and crew. Continue reading SS Tuscania torpedoed off Irish coast 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1918)

‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’ opens in New York 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1988)


Video: 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' trailer

(Friday, February 5, 1988, 12:30 p.m. EST)The Unbearable Lightness of Being, an American film adaptation of the novel of the same name about a womanizer visiting the West during the 1968 Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia, opened today at Loews Tower East theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’ opens in New York 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1988)

‘Stayin’ Alive’ by Bee Gees peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 4 1978)

(Saturday, February 4, 1978)“Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four consecutive weeks (Feb. 4/11/18/25, 1978). Continue reading ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by Bee Gees peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 4 1978)