Monthly Archives: July 2025

Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, 63, dies in Wilton, New York 140 years ago this hour (July 23 1885)

1880s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant: U.S President And Victor Of The American Civil War'

(Tuesday, July 23, 1885, 8:06 a.m. local time) — General Ulysses S. Grant, former President of the United States and victorious commander of Union forces in the American Civil War, died today at his cottage retreat upon Mount McGregor, after a long and painful battle with cancer of the throat. He was 63 years of age. Continue reading Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, 63, dies in Wilton, New York 140 years ago this hour (July 23 1885) →

Henri Pétain, former head of pro-Axis Vichy government, goes on trial for treason 80 years ago this hour (July 23 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Trial of Petain - 1945 | Movietone Moment | 26 Apr 19'

(Monday, July 23, 1945, 9:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — French Marshal Henri Petain, who had headed the pro-Axis Vichy government during World War II, went on trial today, charged with treason.

Congress votes to restore American citizenship for Robert E. Lee 50 years ago this hour (July 22 1975)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Robert E. Lee - Mini Biography'

(Tuesday, July 22, 1975, just after 8:30 p.m. EDT) — On the eve of the 90th anniversary of Ulysses S. Grant’s death, U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate today in voting to restore the American citizenship of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee (President Gerald Ford would sign the measure on Aug. 5, 1975).

South Carolina mother guilty of murdering two sons 30 years ago this hour (July 22 1995)

1990s


Video: 'Unthinkable: The Susan Smith Story'

(Saturday, July 22, 1995, announced shortly before 8:00 p.m. EDT) — Susan Smith was convicted by a jury today in Union, South Carolina, of first-degree murder for drowning her two young sons. Smith was later sentenced to life in prison, and will not be eligible for parole until 2024.

Scopes ‘Monkey Trial’ ends with guilty verdict, fine 100 years ago this hour (July 21 1925)

1920s


Video: 'This Man Was Tried in Tennessee for Teaching Evolution'

(Tuesday, July 21, 1925, 11:27 a.m. EDT) — The so-called “Monkey Trial” trial of John Thomas Scopes for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution in Dayton, Tennessee, which defense attorney Clarence Darrow characterized today as “the first case of its kind since we stopped trying people for witchcraft” (three-time Democratic presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan was the special prosecutor in the case) is over. Continue reading Scopes ‘Monkey Trial’ ends with guilty verdict, fine 100 years ago this hour (July 21 1925) →

U.S. President Eisenhower presents ‘Open Skies’ proposal 70 years ago this hour (July 21 1955)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The 1955 Geneva Conference and Open Skies' (July 21, 1955, at 1:59)

(Thursday, July 21, 1955, 4:00-6:10 pm. CEST; during the Cold War) — During a summit in Geneva, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented his Open Skies proposal under which the U.S. and the Soviet Union would trade information on each other’s military facilities and allow aerial reconnaisance (the Soviets rejected the proposal).

U.S. President Truman briefed on atomic bomb test 80 years ago this hour (July 21 1945)

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


Video: 'the manhattan project trinity test'

(Saturday, July 21, 1945, 3:45 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman received a description of the July 16, 1945, test of the atomic bomb today while at the Potsdam Conference, becoming fully aware of its awesome power for the first time (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:02:36). Continue reading U.S. President Truman briefed on atomic bomb test 80 years ago this hour (July 21 1945) →

‘Raspberry Beret’ by Prince and the Revolution peaks at #2 in USA 40 years ago today (July 20 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 20, 1985) — “Raspberry Beret” by Prince and the Revolution peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Raspberry Beret’ by Prince and the Revolution peaks at #2 in USA 40 years ago today (July 20 1985) →

‘Like a Rolling Stone’ single by Bob Dylan released in USA 60 years ago today (July 20 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone (Official Audio)'

(Tuesday, July 20, 1965) — The single “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan was released today in the U.S. Continue reading ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ single by Bob Dylan released in USA 60 years ago today (July 20 1965) →