Monthly Archives: April 2020

8 crewmen die as U.S. attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran fails 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 25 1980)

1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Iran Hostage Crisis' (Operation Eagle Claw at 2:49)

(Friday, April 25, 1980, 2:00 a.m. Iran Daylight Time) — Operation Eagle Claw, an attempt to rescue 52 embassy staff held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, was aborted early this morning after mechanical problems grounded rescue helicopters and eight U.S. servicemen were killed when a helicopter crashed into a transport aircraft. Continue reading 8 crewmen die as U.S. attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran fails 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 25 1980) →

Library of Congress established 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 24 1800)

1800s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The Library of Congress Is Your Library'

(Thursday, April 24, 1800) — The Library of Congress (LOC), the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the de facto national library of the U.S., was established today when President John Adams signed an act of Congress providing for the transfer of the seat of government from Philadelphia to the new capital city of Washington. Continue reading Library of Congress established 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 24 1800) →

Rhythm Club fire kills 209 people in Natchez, Mississippi 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1940)

1940s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'The Rhythm Club Fire Documentary (full movie)'

(Tuesday, April 23, 1940, 11:15 p.m. CST) — The Rhythm Club fire (or The Natchez Dance Hall Holocaust), a fire in a dance hall in Natchez, Mississippi, killed 209 people — all African Americans — and severely injured many others tonight. Continue reading Rhythm Club fire kills 209 people in Natchez, Mississippi 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1940) →

Millions join first Earth Day observances across the nation 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1970)

1970s


Video: 'Earth Day 1970 CBS News with Walter Cronkite (Full)' (15 videos)

(Wednesday, April 22, 1970) — Millions of Americans concerned about the environment observed the first Earth Day today. Continue reading Millions join first Earth Day observances across the nation 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1970) →

‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1930)

1930s, movies 1930s, World War I


Video: 'All Quiet on the Western Front' trailer

(Monday, April 21, 1930, 8:30 p.m. PST) — Young German soldiers try to adjust to the horrors of World War I in All Quiet on the Western Front, an American epic pre-Code anti-war film that premiered tonight at Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ premieres in Los Angeles 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1930) →

‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ by Sinéad O’Connor peaks at #1 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1990)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s

(Saturday, April 21, 1990) — “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four consecutive weeks (Apr. 21/28, May 5/12, 1990). Continue reading ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ by Sinéad O’Connor peaks at #1 in USA 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1990) →

Deepwater Horizon explosion triggers worst U.S. environmental disaster 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 20 2010)

2010s


Video: 'ARCHIVAL VIDEO: Deepwater Horizon oil rig in Gulf of Mexico ignited in 2010 explosion'

(Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 9:56 p.m. CDT) — An explosion and fire on the Deepwater Horizon BP oil rig off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico killed 11 workers tonight and caused a massive oil spill. Continue reading Deepwater Horizon explosion triggers worst U.S. environmental disaster 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 20 2010) →

‘With You I’m Born Again’ by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright peaks at #4 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 19 1980)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, April 19, 1980) — “With You I’m Born Again” by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright peaked at #4 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘With You I’m Born Again’ by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright peaks at #4 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 19 1980) →