Monthly Archives: May 2022

‘Shout – Part I’ by Joey Dee and the Starlighters peaks at #6 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1962)

(Saturday, May 5, 1962) — “Shout – Part I” by Joey Dee and the Starlighters peaked at #6 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Shout – Part I’ by Joey Dee and the Starlighters peaks at #6 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1962)

Mexican troops defeat invading French forces in Battle of Puebla 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1862)


Video: 'THE BATTLE OF PUEBLA 1862 | The battle behind Cinco De Mayo'

(Monday, May 5, 1862, 11:45 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Puebla, part of the Second French intervention in Mexico) — Mexican troops loyal to Benito Juarez, outnumbered 3-1, defeated invading French forces of Napoleon III today near Puebla City. Continue reading Mexican troops defeat invading French forces in Battle of Puebla 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1862)

‘Play It Again, Sam’ comedy film starring Woody Allen opens in New York 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1972)


Video: 'Play It Again, Sam' trailer

(Thursday, May 4, 1972, 11:00 a.m. EDT)Play It Again, Sam, an American comedy film about a recently divorced man who gets romantic advice from the ghost of Humphrey Bogart, opened today at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Play It Again, Sam’ comedy film starring Woody Allen opens in New York 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1972)

Siege of Yorktown ends after Confederate troops slip away during night 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1862)


Video: 'American Civil War: Siege of Yorktown - "Magruder's Spectacle" - All Parts'

(Sunday, May 4, 1862, Union troops begin occupying Yorktown at dawn; during the Siege of Yorktown, part of the Peninsula campaign of the American Civil War) — Union forces under Gen. George B. McClellan were preparing to unleash a massive bombardment at dawn tomorrow (May 5, 1862) against Confederate troops after a month-long siege at Yorktown, Virginia, only to discover early this morning that the Confederates had slipped away during the night toward Williamsburg. Continue reading Siege of Yorktown ends after Confederate troops slip away during night 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1862)

John Lennon & Yoko Ono claim they’re under FBI surveillance 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 3 1972)


Video: 'THE DICK CAVETT SHOW John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Shirley MacLaine'

(Wednesday, May 3, 1972, evening EDT) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, taped an appearance today (for airing on May 11, 1972 on ABC-TV) in New York on The Dick Cavett Show, claiming that he is being followed and that his telephone is being tapped by the FBI. Continue reading John Lennon & Yoko Ono claim they’re under FBI surveillance 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 3 1972)

Battle of the Coral Sea, first naval clash fought entirely by planes, begins 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1942)


Video: 'Why the Battle of the Coral Sea Was Unique in Naval History'

(Monday, May 4, 1942, 8:50 a.m. Solomon Islands Time; during the Battle of the Coral Sea, part of Operation Mo of South West Pacific theatre of World War II) — The Battle of Coral Sea, a five-day naval battle between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia, began today when Task Force Seventeen (TF 17), commanded by Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher, attacked the Japanese Tulagi Invasion Force at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, where elements of the Japanese landing force had gone ashore to estabish defenses. Continue reading Battle of the Coral Sea, first naval clash fought entirely by planes, begins 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1942)

The Doors perform for ‘Beat Club’ TV show in Bremen, Germany 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 3 1972)


Video: 'Beat-Workshop - The Doors | 1972' (12 clips)

(Wednesday, May 3, 1972) — Ten months after lead singer Jim Morrison was found dead in a bathtub in Paris, the surviving members of the American rock group The Doors — keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore — recorded a performance for the May 27, 1972, edition of the German television show Beat Club today at Radio Bremen Studio 3 in Bremen, Germany. Continue reading The Doors perform for ‘Beat Club’ TV show in Bremen, Germany 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 3 1972)

Woody Allen’s ‘Hollywood Ending’ comedy film opens in New York 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 3 2002)


Video: 'Hollywood Ending' trailer

(Friday, May 3, 2002, 10:15 a.m. EDT)Hollywood Ending, a film about a once-famous film director who suffers hysterical blindness due to the intense pressure of directing, opened today at Loews Lincoln Square on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. Continue reading Woody Allen’s ‘Hollywood Ending’ comedy film opens in New York 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 3 2002)

Body of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover discovered in his Washington home 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 1972)


Video: 'Death of J. Edgar Hoover' (May 2, 1972)

(Tuesday, May 2, 1972, body discovered at about 8:30 a.m. EDT)J. Edgar Hoover, who directed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 48 years and built it into a dominant and controversial force in American law enforcement, died during the night from a heart attack attributed to cardio-vascular disease. Continue reading Body of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover discovered in his Washington home 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 1972)

‘Can we all get along?’: Videotaped beating victim Rodney King calls for calm in Los Angeles 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 1 1992)


Video: 'L.A. Riots of 1992: Rodney King speaks; Late troop arrival'

(Friday, May 1, 1992, 2:45 p.m. PDT) — The 1992 Los Angeles riots was punctuated today by live footage of Rodney King, the man whose videotaped beating led to the rioting, appealing for calm, gave an impromptu news conference in front of his lawyer’s office, tearfully saying, “People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?” Continue reading ‘Can we all get along?’: Videotaped beating victim Rodney King calls for calm in Los Angeles 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 1 1992)