Monthly Archives: June 2025

Abbott and Costello’s ‘The Naughty Nineties’ film opens in New York’s Times Square 80 years ago this hour (June 20 1945)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'The Naughty Nineties (1945) ORIGINAL TRAILER'

(Wednesday, June 20, 1945, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. EDT) — The Naughty Nineties, a film containing perhaps the best recorded rendition of the Abbott and Costello comedy team’s classic “Who’s on First?” routine, opened this morning at Loew’s Criterion at Broadway and 45th St. in the Times Square neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Continue reading Abbott and Costello’s ‘The Naughty Nineties’ film opens in New York’s Times Square 80 years ago this hour (June 20 1945) →

Former Chicago organized crime boss Sam Giancana shot to death 50 years ago this hour (June 19 1975)

1970s


Video: 'The Murder Of Sam “Momo” Giancana (1975)'

(Thursday, June 19, 1975, just before 11:00 p.m. CDT) — Former Chicago organized crime boss Sam Giancana, reported to have been a key participant in a Central Intelligence Agency plot to assassinate Premier Fidel Castro of Cuba in 1961, was shot to death tonight in the basement of his home in Oak Park, Illinois. Continue reading Former Chicago organized crime boss Sam Giancana shot to death 50 years ago this hour (June 19 1975) →

‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)’ by Four Tops peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (June 19 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s

(Saturday, June 19, 1965) — “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by the Four Tops peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two non-consecutive weeks (June 19, July 3, 1965). Continue reading ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)’ by Four Tops peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (June 19 1965) →

‘Juneteenth’: All remaining slaves in Texas are declared freed 160 years ago today (June 19 1865)

1860s


Video: '19th June 1865: Juneteenth established when enslaved people in Galveston informed of emancipation'

(Monday, June 19, 1865) — Union troops commanded by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger having arrived yesterday in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War was over, declared today that all remaining slaves in Texas were free, an event celebrated annually as “Juneteenth.”

Millions cheer Eisenhower in New York City 80 years ago this hour (June 19 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Eisenhower Honored In New York 220469-29.mp4'

(Tuesday, June 19, 1945, Eisenhower steps off his plane at La Guardia Field at 10:17 a.m. EDT; during World War II) — Millions of New Yorkers turned out today to cheer Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was honored with a parade.

Ky becomes premier in Saigon, pledges fuller mobilization 60 years ago today (June 19 1965)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam Documentary: LBJ Goes to War' (June 19, 1965, at 38:22)

(Saturday, June 19, 1965; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Air Marshall Nguyen Cao Ky was appointed today by the military junta as prime minister. With Nguyen Van Thieu as president and Ky as prime minister, the revolving door of rulers that had prevailed in South Vietnam since the overthrow of Ngo Dình Diem in November 1963 ended.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (June 18, 1945, at 19:27)

(Monday, June 18, 1945, 3:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — President Harry S. Truman met with military representatives today to discuss how the war against Japan should proceed. Truman decided to have the Joint Chiefs of Staff go ahead with plans to invade Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands on Nov. 1, 1945. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945) →

John Lennon appears live on ‘Tonight’ to promote new book 60 years ago this hour (June 18 1965)

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


Video: 'John Lennon reads from and talks about "A Spaniard In The Works"'

(Friday, June 18, 1965, 7:00-7:35 p.m. BST) –John Lennon of The Beatles appeared live tonight from Lime Grove Studios in London on the BBC television show Tonight reading extracts from his forthcoming second book A Spaniard In The Works.

Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: '"America's Welcome To General Ike"

(Monday, June 18, 1945, Eisenhower’s plane landed at 11:11 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower received a tumultuous welcome today in Washington D.C., where he addressed a joint session of Congress. Continue reading Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945) →

‘Lord Haw-Haw’ Nazi propagandist charged with treason 80 years ago today (June 18 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Lord Haw-Haw Documentary (William Joyce) - Great Crimes - British, Traitor, Hanged.'

(Monday, June 18, 1945; during World War II) — William Joyce (known as “Lord Haw-Haw”), an American-born Irish-British Fascist politician, was charged today in London with high treason for his English-language wartime broadcasts on German radio.