Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Jan. 31, 1975, at 23:17)
(Friday, January 31, 1975; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — 25 days after the fall of Phuoc Binh to North Vietnamese forces, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu today renewed his appeal for U.S. aid, warning that his government might collapse without it.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Jan. 31, 1864, at 27:18)
(Tuesday, January 31, 1865, late afternoon local time; during the American Civil War) — The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the Thirteenth Amendment 119 to 56 (narrowly reaching the required two-thirds majority), abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. With Congress’s approval (the Senate had passed the amendment on Apr. 8, 1864) and President Abraham Lincoln’s signature (on Feb. 1, 1865). The amendment then went to the states for ratification. Continue reading U.S. House passes Constitutional Amendment abolishing slavery 160 years ago today (Jan 31 1865)
Video: 'Robert E Lee named Commander in Chief of Confederate Armies during US Civil War'
(Tuesday, January 31, 1865; during the American Civil War) — Gen. Robert E. Lee was named general-in-chief of the Confederate States Army today by President Jefferson Davis.
Video: 'The HORRIFIC Execution Of Eddie Slovik - The American Shot For Desertion In WW2'
(Wednesday, January 31, 1945, 10:04 a.m. local time; during World War II) — Pvt. Eddie Slovik, 24, today became the first U.S. soldier since the Civil War to be executed for desertion as he was shot by an American firing squad in France near the village of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines.
Video: 'Hitler last speech January 30 1945'
(Tuesday, January 30, 1945, recorded earlier for broadcast at 10:00 p.m. Central European Time; during World War II) — Adolf Hitler marked the 12th anniversary of his appointment as Germany’s chancellor with his last public speech in which he called on Germans to keep resisting until victory.
Video: '30th January 1835: Andrew Jackson survives the first assassination attempt of a sitting US President'
(Friday, January 30, 1835, approximately 1:30 p.m. local time) — In what is believed to be the first serious attempt to kill a sitting President of the United States, unemployed house painter Richard Lawrence aimed two pistols at President Andrew Jackson today just outside the Capitol Building in Washington, but both misfired. Continue reading President Jackson beats would-be assassin with cane 190 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1835)
(Saturday, January 30, 1965) — “The Name Game” by Shirley Ellis peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks.
(Saturday, January 30, 1965) — “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” by Marvin Gaye peaked at #6 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.
Video: 'Rescuing the Most Doomed American Soldiers of WW2 - The Great Raid'
(Tuesday, January 30, 1945, 7:40 p.m. local time; in the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — 552 Allied captives held at the Japanese prison camp in Cabanatuan in the Philippines were liberated today by U.S. Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts and Filipino guerrilla fighters.
Video: 'State funeral of Sir Winston Churchill 30 January 1965 (Some parts)'
(Saturday, January 30, 1965, 9:45 a.m. GMT) — Sir Winston Churchill was laid to rest today after the largest state funeral in world history up to that point in time. Britain and the world joined in homage to the man who had marshaled the spirit of freedom for his age. Continue reading Churchill buried in day of sorrow and regal pageantry 60 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1965)
