Video: 'Almanac: Purple Heart'
(Wednesday, August 7, 1782, during the American Revolutionary War) — The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established today by General George Washington — then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army — by order from his Newburgh, New York, headquarters. Continue reading General George Washington creates Order of the Purple Heart to honor Americans who fought in Revolutionary War 240 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1782)
Video: '154 - Guadalcanal - Allies Take the Initiative - WW2 - August 7, 1942' (Americans land at Guadalcanal at 6:19)
(Friday, August 7, 1942, 8:00 a.m. Solomon Islands Time, launching the Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu–Tanambogo and the Guadalcanal Campaign, part of the Solomon Islands campaign of the Pacific Theater of World War II) — Allied forces, predominantly United States Marines, landed this morning on Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Florida in the southern Solomon Islands, with the objective of using Guadalcanal and Tulagi as bases in supporting a campaign to eventually capture or neutralize the major Japanese base at Rabaul on New Britain. Continue reading U.S. Marines land at southern Solomon Islands, launching Guadalcanal Campaign against Japan 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1942)
Video: 'Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)' trailer
(Sunday, August 6, 1972, noon EDT) — Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask), an American sex comedy anthology film directed by Woody Allen consisting of a series of short sequences loosely inspired by David Reuben’s 1969 book of the same name, opened simultaneously today at The Coronet and The Little Carnegie theaters in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Continue reading Woody Allen’s ‘Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)’ opens in New York City 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 6 1972)
Video: 'SYND 6-8-72 MCGOVERN NOMINATES SHRIVER'
(Saturday, August 5, 1972, early evening EDT) — Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern, a U.S. Senator from South Dakota, chose Sargent Shriver as his new vice presidential running mate today after Senator Edmund S. Muskie of Maine had rejected his invitation to join the ticket. Continue reading Sargent Shriver chosen as George McGovern’s new running mate on Democratic presidential ticket 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1972)
Video: Lennon, Ono and Rivera on Aug. 5, 1972 (at 0:00-3:33)
(Saturday, August 5, 1972) — Former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, were filmed today in San Francisco for an interview by Geraldo Rivera for Eyewitness News on WABC-TV in New York, travelling through the city aboard a cable car, driving the city’s steep hills in a car, viewing the Golden Gate Bridge and visiting Fisherman’s Wharf. Continue reading John Lennon & Yoko Ono interviewed by WABC-TV’s Geraldo Rivera in San Francisco 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1972)
(Saturday, August 5, 1972) — “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right” by Luther Ingram peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right’ by Luther Ingram peaks at #3 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1972)
(Saturday, August 5, 1972) — “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos peaked at #10 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Layla’ by Derek and the Dominos peaks at #10 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1972)
Video: 'Full Circle' (9 videos)
(Saturday, August 5, 1972) — Full Circle, the eighth studio album by The Doors, the band’s second LP after Jim Morrison’s death on July 3, 1971, with keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger sharing lead vocals and John Densmore on drums, debuted at #108 on today’s Billboard Top LP’s chart. Continue reading ‘Full Circle’ studio album by The Doors debuts at #108 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1972)
Video: '5th August 1962: Nelson Mandela arrested and jailed'
(Sunday, August 5, 1962) — South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, disguised as a chauffeur while on his way from Durban to Johannesburg, was arrested today when armed police at a roadblock flagged down his car outside Howick in Natal, the beginning of 27 years of imprisonment and jailed in Johannesburg’s Marshall Square prison. Continue reading South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela was arrested, beginning of 27 years of imprisonment 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1962)
Video: 'Archive newsreel announces the death of Marilyn Monroe in '62 - Daily Mail'
(Saturday, August 4, 1962, between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. PDT) — American actress, singer, and model Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson), 36, died tonight from an overdose of barbiturates at her 12305 Fifth Helena Drive home in Brentwood, a suburban neighborhood in the Westside region of Los Angeles, California. Continue reading Legendary film actress Marilyn Monroe, 36, dies of ‘probable suicide’ in her Los Angeles home 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1962)
