Monthly Archives: July 2025

Truman throws a party for Churchill, Stalin at Potsdam 80 years ago this hour (July 19 1945)

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


Video: 'POTSDAM REVISITED: THE RIFLEMAN'S VIOLIN (JFI WinterFest '16 | Dir. Sam Ball)'

(Thursday, July 19, 1945, 8:30 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — In the spirit of their war-inspired partnership, President Harry S. Truman threw a party tonight for Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin at U.S. headquarters in Potsdam, occupied Germany during the Potsdam Conference, flying in two young American GI’s to entertain: pianist Eugene List and violinist Stuart Canin (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:01:32). Continue reading Truman throws a party for Churchill, Stalin at Potsdam 80 years ago this hour (July 19 1945) →

‘Venus and Mars’ album by Wings peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (July 19 1975)

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


Video: '16- Wings- Venus and Mars (Full Album)' (13 clips)

(Saturday, July 19, 1975) — Venus and Mars by Paul McCartney’s band Wings peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard 200 albums chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Venus and Mars’ album by Wings peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (July 19 1975) →

‘Listen to What the Man Said’ by Wings peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (July 19 1975)

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


Video: 'Listen To What The Man Said'

(Saturday, July 19, 1975) — “Listen to What the Man Said” by (former Beatle Paul McCartney and) Wings peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Listen to What the Man Said’ by Wings peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (July 19 1975) →

Teacher Christa McAuliffe is picked for shuttle trip 40 years ago this hour (July 19 1985)

1980s, space exploration


Video: 'Teacher In Space: Christa Mcauliffe' (July 19, 1985, at 3:50)

(Friday, July 19, 1985, 10:30 a.m. EDT) — A high school teacher from New Hampshire, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, 36, was named today as the nation’s first ordinary citizen scheduled to go in orbit aboard the space shuttle as a passenger.

‘Help!’/’I’m Down’ single by The Beatles released in USA 60 years ago today (July 19 1965)

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


Video: 'Help! (2023 Mix)'

(Monday, July 19, 1965) — The single “Help!“/”I’m Down” by The Beatles, the title song for both the 1965 film and its soundtrack album, was released today in the U.S. (July 23, 1965, in the UK). Continue reading ‘Help!’/’I’m Down’ single by The Beatles released in USA 60 years ago today (July 19 1965) →

Otto Frank confirms his daughters Margot, Anne are dead 80 years ago today (July 18 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Anne Frank (The Whole Story)' (July 18, 1945, at 2:53:02)

(Wednesday, July 18, 1945; during World War II) — Otto Frank, who had returned to Amsterdam on June 3, 1945, having been liberated Jan. 27, 1945, at the Auschwitz concentration camp, confirmed today (via a Red Cross list, then confirmation from Lin Brilleslijper, a fellow inmate of the Frank girls at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp) that his daughters, Margot and Anne, had died in the Holocaust some time . Continue reading Otto Frank confirms his daughters Margot, Anne are dead 80 years ago today (July 18 1945) →

Hitler publishes first volume of ‘Mein Kampf’ 100 years ago today (July 18 1925)

1920s


Video: 'Mein Kampf: An Autopsy Of The Nazi Mind'

(Saturday, July 18, 1925) — The first volume of Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”), an autobiographical manifesto by National Socialist leader Adolf Hitler in which he outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany was published today. Continue reading Hitler publishes first volume of ‘Mein Kampf’ 100 years ago today (July 18 1925) →

British return Fort Mackinac to United States 210 years ago today (July 18 1815)

1810s


Video: 'The War of 1812' (July 18, 1815 at 1:48:56)

(Tuesday, July 18, 1815) — Five months after the Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812, the British peacefully turned over Fort Mackinac today to American Colonel Anthony Butler, then left for Drummond Island.

Big Four present peace plans at Geneva 70 years ago this hour (July 18 1955)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Big 4 at Geneva Summit; Miss Universe Parade 1955/7/18'

(Monday, July 18, 1955, first meeting began at 10:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin, British Prime Minister Anthony Eden and French Premier Edgar Faure met for a summit today in Geneva to begin discussions on peace.

Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California during live TV special 70 years ago this hour (July 17 1955)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: '1955 Disneyland Opening Day [Complete ABC Broadcast]'

(Sunday, July 17, 1955, 4:30 p.m. PDT) — The theme park Disneyland was dedicated today in Anaheim, California, during a nationally televised “International Press Preview” event on ABC-TV anchored by Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings and Ronald Reagan.