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84 American POWs murdered by Germans in Malmedy massacre 70 years ago this afternoon (Dec 17 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Massacre at Malmedy'

(Sunday, December 17, 1944, 1:00 p.m. local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — 84 American prisoners of war were murdered by their German captors this afternoon near Malmedy, Belgium, by members of Kampfgruppe Peiper (part of the 1st SS Panzer Division), a German combat unit.

The massacre, plus others committed by the same unit on the same day and following days, were the subject of the Malmedy massacre trial, part of the Dachau Trials of 1946.

Federals defeat Confederates in Battle of Nashville 150 years ago today (Dec 16 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Civil War Journal - The Battle of Franklin & Nashville' (Dec. 16, 1864, at 38:30)

(Friday, December 16, 1864; the Battle of Nashville, part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign during American Civil War) — The two-day Battle of Nashville ended today as Major General George Thomas’s Union forces defeated Lieutenant General John Bell Hood’s Confederate Army of Tennessee.

‘Million Dollar Baby’ put in limited U.S. release 10 years ago today (Dec 15 2004)

2000s, movies 2000s


Video: 'Million Dollar Baby' trailer

(Wednesday, December 15, 2004) — Million Dollar Baby, a sports drama film about a boxing trainer who seeks atonement by helping an underdog amateur boxer achieve her dream of becoming a professional, began showing in a select few theaters across the U.S.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film starred Eastwood, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman.

Battle of Nashville begins 150 years ago today (Dec 15 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Civil War Journal - The Battle of Franklin & Nashville' (Dec. 15, 1864, at 37:47)

(Thursday, December 15, 1864; the Battle of Nashville, part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign during the American Civil War) — The two-day Battle of Nashville began today in Davidson County, Tennessee, as Union forces commanded by Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas attacked Confederate troops led by Gen. John Bell Hood.

‘Zorba the Greek’ released in Greece 50 years ago today (Dec 14 1964)

1960s, Movies 1960s

Video: 'Zorba the Greek' trailer

(Monday, December 14, 1964) — Zorba the Greek, a drama film about an amoral Greek peasant who teaches a British student the meaning of life, was released today in Greece (it opened in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 17, 1964).

Directed by Michael Cacoyannis, the film starred Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates, Irene Papas, Lila Kedrova, Sotiris Moustakas and Anna Kyriakou.

Unions troops take Fort McAllister near Savannah, Georgia 150 years ago this hour (Dec 13 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Conquerors - Episode 8: Sherman's March to the Sea (History Documentary)' (Dec. 13, 1864, at 19:14)

(Tuesday, December 13, 1864, 5:00 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Fort McAllister (1864) of the American Civil War) — Union forces today overwhelmed a small Confederate force defending the strategically important Fort McAllister near Savannah, Georgia, a major Federal objective during the final stages of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman’s March to the Sea.

133 sailors killed in Japanese kamikaze attack on Nashville 70 years ago today (Dec 13 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The Book: Humble Heroes, How The USS Nashville CL43 Fought WWII'

(Wednesday, December 13, 1944; during World War II) — The light cruiser USS Nashville was badly damaged today in a Japanese kamikaze attack off Negros Island in the Philippines that claimed 133 lives.

Mick Taylor leaves The Rolling Stones 40 years ago today (Dec 12 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Video: 'Rolling Stones;1969-74 - The Mick Taylor Years'

(Thursday, December 12, 1974) — The Rolling Stones announced today guitarist Mick Taylor, who had replaced Brian Jones in 1969, had left the band after more than five years. Ronnie Wood would eventually replace Taylor.

Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addresses United Nations 50 years ago today (Dec 11 1964)

1960s, Cold War


Video: 'Che Guevara speech at UN 1964 (English subtitles!!)'

(Friday, December 11, 1964; during the Cold War) — Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addressed the United Nations today, declaring that “the final hour of colonialism has struck.” Continue reading Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addresses United Nations 50 years ago today (Dec 11 1964) →

Solzhenitsyn collects Nobel Prize he won in 1970 40 years ago today (Dec 10 1974)

1970s


Video: 'Receiving the Nobel Prize for Literature'

(Tuesday, December 10, 1974, during the Cold War) — Exiled Soviet writer Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn took possession today of the Nobel Prize for Literature that he was unable to claim when it was awarded to him in 1970.