(Sunday, January 8, 1865; during the American Civil War) — In response to the Confederacy’s efforts to enlist African-American slaves as soldiers in the closing days of the American Civil War, Major General Howell Cobb famously wrote today in a letter sent to Confederate Secretary of War James A. Seddon: “if slaves make good soldiers our whole theory of slavery is wrong.”
Video: 'War of 1812: Battle of New Orleans' (3 videos)
(Sunday, January 8, 1815, 6:20 a.m. local time; during the War of 1812) — U.S. forces led by Gen. Andrew Jackson defeated the British today in the Battle of New Orleans, resulting in the complete withdraw of British forces from Louisiana.
The battle turned out to be the last major engagement of the War of 1812, taking place after the United States and Britain had already signed a peace treaty due to the slowness of communications at the time.
Video: 'Elvis Presley: Rock 'n' Roll Legend | Mini Bio | BIO'
(Tuesday, January 8, 1935, 4:35 a.m. CST) — Rock-and-roll legend Elvis Aaron Presley, regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, was born today in Tupelo, Mississippi. Continue reading Rock music icon Elvis Presley born in Tupelo, Mississippi 90 years ago this hour (Jan 8 1935)
Video: 'Marian Anderson canta Un ballo in Maschera'
(Friday, January 7, 1955, evening EST; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — Singer Marian Anderson made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in New York tonight in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, becoming the first black person to perform there as a member. Continue reading Marian Anderson becomes first African-American to perform with Metropolitan Opera in New York 70 years ago tonight (Jan 7 1955)
Video: 'American Experience - Battle of the Bulge (PBS Documentary)' (Jan. 7, 1945, at 49:34)
(Sunday, January 7, 1945; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — “Our first attack– major offensive was on January 7th. We moved up under artillery fire to an attack position, and we were hit from behind. And actually, it was one of our own companies in our battalion…”
Video: 'FDR Fireside Chat on The Battle of the Bulge (1945)'
(Saturday, January 6, 1945, 10:00 p.m. EWT) — In his annual State of the Union address, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt called for early enactment of a national service act and for compulsory military training of youth after the war. Continue reading Roosevelt seeks national service act in State of the Union address 80 years ago this hour (Jan 6 1945)
Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-12) The End of the Tunnel' (Battle of Phuoc Long at 22:31)
(Tuesday, January 7, 1975, 9:30 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Battle of Phuoc Long, part of Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — After a week-long siege, North Vietnamese forces today overran and captured Phuoc Binh, the encircled capital of Phuoc Long Province. Continue reading Saigon’s forces lose Phuoc Long 50 years ago this hour (Jan 7 1975)
Video: 'Mississippi Burning Conviction News Coverage'
(Thursday, January 6, 2005) — The most infamous unresolved case from America’s civil rights struggle four decades ago – the 1964 abduction and killing of three voter-registration volunteers by nightriders on a lonely rural road in Mississippi – was revived tonight with the arrest of a longtime leader of the Ku Klux Klan, the authorities announced. Continue reading First murder charge in 1964 civil rights killings of three activists 20 years ago today (Jan 6 2005)
Video: 'Presidential Love Letters'
(Saturday, January 6, 1945) — Future U.S. President George H.W. Bush, 20, married Barbara Pierce, 19, today at the First Presbyterian Church in Rye, New York, only weeks after his return from the Pacific.
Video: 'Eisenhower's 1955 State of the Union Address'
(Thursday, January 6, 1955, 12:31 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — In his annual State of the Union address, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower laid his legislative program before the new Democratic-controlled Congress today with a plea for harmony and a solemn warning that this is a year of trial in the world’s wavering course toward durable peace or atomic holocaust. Continue reading U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower urges harmony, cites Soviet threat in State of the Union address 70 years ago this hour (Jan 6 1955)
