Monthly Archives: August 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) →

‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’ by Steely Dan peaks at #4 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, August 3, 1974) — “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” by Steely Dan peaked at #4 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’ by Steely Dan peaks at #4 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 1974) →

North Vietnamese gunboats fire on USS Maddox in Gulf of Tonkin incident 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1964)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Part 4 LBJ Goes to War 1964 65' (Gulf of Tonkin incident at 11:46)

(Sunday, August 2, 1964, 4:08 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Three North Vietnamese Navy torpedo boats from the 135th Torpedo Squadron fired torpedoes and 37-mm. shells at the destroyer USS Maddox today as U.S. forces conducted covert amphibious operations about 30 miles off North Vietnam in became known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Continue reading North Vietnamese gunboats fire on USS Maddox in Gulf of Tonkin incident 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1964) →

John Lennon records ‘Ya Ya’ with son Julian, 11, on drums in New York City 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 1 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'Ya Ya (Remastered 2010)'

(Thursday, August 1, 1974) — Former Beatle John Lennon, on piano and vocals, recorded Lee Dorsey’s “Ya Ya” with his 11-year-old son, Julian, on drums during sessions for the former Beatle’s fifth studio album Walls and Bridges today at Record Plant East at 321 West 44th Street in New York City. Continue reading John Lennon records ‘Ya Ya’ with son Julian, 11, on drums in New York City 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 1 1974) →

‘A Hard Day’s Night’ by The Beatles peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 1 1964)

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

(Saturday, August 1, 1964) — “A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles peaked today at #1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutives weeks (Aug. 1/8, 1964). Continue reading ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ by The Beatles peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 1 1964) →

‘The Little Old Lady from Pasadena’ by Jan and Dean peaks at #3 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 1 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s

(Saturday, August 1, 1964) — “The Little Old Lady from Pasadena” by Jan and Dean peaked today at #3 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘The Little Old Lady from Pasadena’ by Jan and Dean peaks at #3 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 1 1964) →