Monthly Archives: August 2021

President Nixon ends convertibility of U.S. Dollars to gold and announces wage/price controls 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1971)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The Challenge of Peace - President Nixon's Address to the Nation on A New Economic Policy'

(Sunday, August 15, 1971, 9 p.m. EDT; during the Nixon shock) — President Richard Nixon announced tonight that the United States would no longer convert dollars to gold at a fixed value, effectively ending the Bretton Woods system. Continue reading President Nixon ends convertibility of U.S. Dollars to gold and announces wage/price controls 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1971) →

‘Endless Love’ by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1981)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 15, 1981) — “Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first of nine weeks (Aug. 15/22/29, Sept. 5/12/19/26, Oct. 3/10, 1981). Continue reading ‘Endless Love’ by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1981) →

‘Teardrops’ by George Harrison peaks at #102 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1981)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s

(Saturday, August 15, 1981) — “Teardrops” by former Beatle George Harrison, the second single issued from his album Somewhere in England, both debuted and peaked at #102 (for two consecutive weeks) on today’s Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100 singles chart. Continue reading ‘Teardrops’ by George Harrison peaks at #102 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1981) →

Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler sickened after witnessing mass execution at concentration camp 80 years #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1941)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II

Video: 'The World at War: Genocide: 1941-1945 (20 of 26)' (Himmler's visit to Minsk at 21:46)

(Friday, August 15, 1941; during The Holocaust, part of World War II) — While inspecting the Shirokaya Street Concentration Camp today in Minsk, Belarus, Heinrich Himmler,  one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany and a main architect of The Holocaust,  asked to witness the shooting of 100 Jews, a sight that nauseated him when brain matter and blood sprayed his uniform. Continue reading Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler sickened after witnessing mass execution at concentration camp 80 years #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1941) →

‘Beginnings’/’Colour My World’ by Chicago peaks at #7 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1971)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, August 14, 1971) — The double-sided hit “Beginnings” backed by “Colour My World” by Chicago peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first of two weeks. Continue reading ‘Beginnings’/’Colour My World’ by Chicago peaks at #7 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1971) →