Daily Archives: August 4, 2024

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders retaliatory strikes in Gulf of Tonkin, propelling U.S. into Vietnam War 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1964)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'President Johnson's Vietnam Address, 8/4/64. MP498.'

(Tuesday, August 4, 1964, 11:34 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon B. Johnson announced tonight that he had ordered retaliatory action against gunboats and “certain supporting facilities in North Vietnam” following renewed attacks on American destroyers in the second Gulf of Tonkin incident. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders retaliatory strikes in Gulf of Tonkin, propelling U.S. into Vietnam War 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1964) →

Britain declares war eleven hours after Germany invades Belgium during World War I 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1914)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'The Great War episode 2 Stalemate' (Aug. 4, 1914, at 6:22)

(Tuesday, August 4, 1914, 7:00 p.m. GMT; during World War I) — Great Britain declared war on Germany tonight, effective at 11:00 p.m., in response to Germany’s violation of Belgian neutrality. Continue reading Britain declares war eleven hours after Germany invades Belgium during World War I 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1914) →

‘State of Shock’ by The Jacksons featuring Mick Jagger peaks at #3 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1984)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 4, 1984) — “State of Shock” by The Jacksons featuring Mick Jagger peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘State of Shock’ by The Jacksons featuring Mick Jagger peaks at #3 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1984) →

Jewish diarist Anne Frank, 15, and occupants of Amsterdam’s ‘secret annex’ arrested by Gestapo during Holocaust 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1944)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Anne Frank's capture and her diary with Miep Gies' (Aug. 4, 1944, at 2:44)

(Friday, August 4, 1944, approximately 10:30 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during The Holocaust, part of World War II) — On her 761st day in hiding in the Achterhuis (translated as “Secret Annex” in English editions of her diary), 15-year-old diarist Anne Frank, her parents, older sister, the Van Pel family, and dentist Fritz Pfeffer were unexpectedly discovered and arrested this morning. Continue reading Jewish diarist Anne Frank, 15, and occupants of Amsterdam’s ‘secret annex’ arrested by Gestapo during Holocaust 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1944) →