Monthly Archives: May 2024

Vietnamese insurgents overrun French forces at Dien Bien Phu 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 7 1954)

1950s, Cold War, First Indochina War


Video: 'Why France Lost The Battle of Dien Bien Phu 1954 (4K Documentary)' (May 7, 1954, at 17:02)

(Friday, May 7, 1954, 5:30 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, part of the First Indochina War) — The 55-day Battle of Dien Bien Phu, fought in Vietnam between the French Union’s colonial Far East Expeditionary Corps and Viet Minh communist revolutionaries, ended this afternoon when rebel Viet Minh forces overran the French stronghold of Dien Bien Phu, bringing about the end of French control in Indochina and creating the division of Vietnam. Continue reading Vietnamese insurgents overrun French forces at Dien Bien Phu 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 7 1954) →

‘I Love You’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1944)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, May 6, 1944) — “I Love You” by Bing Crosby With John Scott Trotters and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard National List of Best Selling Retail Records chart for five consecutive weeks (May 6/13/20/27, June 3, 1944). Continue reading ‘I Love You’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1944) →

Battle of the Wilderness begins in Spotsylvania County, Virginia during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant and the Battle of the Wilderness' (May 5, 1864, at 3:06)

(Thursday, May 5, 1864, 1:00 p.m. local time; during the Overland Campaign, part of the American Civil War) — The Battle of the Wilderness, the first battle of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s 1864 Virginia Overland Campaign against Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, began this morning in a wooded area near Locust Grove, Virginia, about 20 miles west of Fredericksburg. Continue reading Battle of the Wilderness begins in Spotsylvania County, Virginia during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 5 1864) →

John Lennon, George Harrison depart Hawaii for Tahiti to continue holiday 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1964)

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


Video: 'John Lennon is swimming in the pool [Honolulu, Hawaii, United States]'

(Monday, May 4, 1964, 1:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time) — John Lennon (and his wife, Cynthia) and George Harrison (and his new girlfriend, Pattie Boyd) of The Beatles, on a month-long holiday, were filmed today departing the airport in Honolulu for Tahiti. Continue reading John Lennon, George Harrison depart Hawaii for Tahiti to continue holiday 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1964) →

‘Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely’ by The Main Ingredient peaks at #10 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, May 4, 1974) — “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely” by The Main Ingredient peaked at #10 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely’ by The Main Ingredient peaks at #10 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1974) →

‘My Mistake (Was to Love You)’ by Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye peaks at #19 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, May 4, 1974) — “My Mistake (Was to Love You)” by Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye peaked at #19 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘My Mistake (Was to Love You)’ by Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye peaks at #19 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 4 1974) →