Daily Archives: May 17, 2018

First audio-recorded presidential debate in U.S. held 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1948)

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Dewey Stassen Debate (1948) First Presidential Election Debate'

(Monday, May 17, 1948, 6:00 p.m. PST/10:00 p.m. EDT; during the Republican Party presidential primaries, 1948) — New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey and former Minnesota Governor Harold Stassen discussed the legal status of the Communist Party of the U.S. during the first audio-recorded presidential debate to ever take place in the United States tonight in Portland, four days before the 1948 Oregon Republican presidential primary. Continue reading First audio-recorded presidential debate in U.S. held 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1948) →

The Monkees perform for ‘Head’ film 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1968)

1960s, Movies 1960s, The Monkees


Video: 'The Monkees - Circle Sky (Live 1968)'

(Friday, May 17, 1968; 1:00-7:00 p.m. MDT) — The Monkees rehearsed and performed today at Valley Music Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, wrapping up filming for Head, the made-for-TV band’s motion picture debut. Continue reading The Monkees perform for ‘Head’ film 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1968) →

Harrison, Starr attend ‘Wonderwall’ premiere at Cannes 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1968)

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


Video: 'The Wonderwall' trailer

(Friday, May 17, 1968) — Wonderwall, a psychedelic film about a eccentric professor who loses himself in daydreams and delusions after a model and her photographer boyfriend move in next to him, premiered today at the Cannes Film Festival with George Harrison (who composed and produced the film’s soundtrack) and Ringo Starr of The Beatles in attendance. Continue reading Harrison, Starr attend ‘Wonderwall’ premiere at Cannes 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1968) →

Catonsville Nine burn draft files to protest Vietnam War 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 17 1968)

1960s, Vietnam War


Video: 'The Catonsville Nine original 5/17/68 footage'

(Friday, May 17, 1968, part of the Opposition to the Vietnam War) — Nine Catholic anti-war activists entered the Selective Service office today in Catonsville, Maryland, seized several hundred draft files and set fire to them with homemade napalm in the parking lot of the building to protest the Vietnam War before being arrested.

The Catonsville Nine, as they came to be known, included Father Daniel Berrigan, a Jesuit priest, his brother Philip Berrigan, a former Josephite priest, and artist Tom Lewis.


Video: 'The Catonsville Nine: Taking A Fiery Stand Against The Vietnam War Drafts'