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‘The Twilight Zone’ original series finale ‘The Bewitchin’ Pool’ airs 50 years ago this hour (June 19 1964)

1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'Twilight Zone: The Bewitchin' Pool'

(Friday, June 19, 9:30 p.m. EDT) — Two unhappy children find a happy escape in a swimming pool on the series finale of the anthology TV series created by Rod Serling The Twilight Zone.

Senate passes Civil Rights Act of 1964 50 years ago today (June 19 1964)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Image: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reacts in St. Augustine after learning that the U.S. Senate passed the Civil Rights Act by two votes, June 19, 1964

(Friday, June 19, 1964, during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–68)) — The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was approved today by the U.S. Senate, 73-27, after surviving a lengthy filibuster.

Storm destroys D-Day Mulberry Harbor 70 years ago today (June 19 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 4/5' (June 19, 1944, at 9:17)

(Monday, June 19, 1944; during the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — A raging Atlantic storm, the worst in June for 40 years, battered the D-Day beaches of Normandy today, casting about like matchsticks the 1,000-ton concrete caissons that formed the perimeter of a temporary Allied harbor, known as Mulberry Harbor, built off Omaha Beach.

Great Marianas Turkey Shoot begins 70 years ago this hour (June 19 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Pacific 1/5' (June 19, 1944, at 8:31)

(Monday, June 19, 1944, 5:50 a.m. ChST; part of World War II, Pacific War) — The Battle of the Philippine Sea, a decisive naval battle which eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy’s ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions, began today. Continue reading Great Marianas Turkey Shoot begins 70 years ago this hour (June 19 1944) →

War critic Mendes France becomes French prime minister 60 years ago today (June 18 1954)

1950s, Cold War, First Indochina War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 1' (June 18, 1954, at 53:30)

(Friday, June 18, 1954; during the First Indochina War, part of the Cold War) — The French cabinet fell and a new prime minister took over today, Pierre Mendès France, a critic of the Indochina War.

George Stinney, a 14-year-old black youth, becomes youngest person to die in electric chair 70 years ago this hour (June 16 1944)

1940s


Video: '(George Stinney) Seeking Justice 70 Years After Execution!'

(Friday, June 16, 1944, shortly after 7:30 p.m. Eastern War Time EWT) — George Stinney, a 14-year-old black youth, became the youngest person to die in the electric chair tonight as the state of South Carolina executed him at Central Correctional Institution in Columbia for the murders of two white girls, Betty June Binnicker, 11, and Mary Emma Thames, 7. Continue reading George Stinney, a 14-year-old black youth, becomes youngest person to die in electric chair 70 years ago this hour (June 16 1944) →

‘The Lion King’ begins limited release in North America 20 years ago today (June 15 1994)

1990s, movies 1990s


Video: 'The Lion King' trailer

(Wednesday, June 15, 1994) — The Lion King, an action film about a morally ambivalent cop who must remove a bomb planted under a bus that’s triggered to explode when its speed drops below 50 mph, began a limited release in North America today.

Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, the film featured the voices Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Moira Kelly, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Rowan Atkinson, Robert Guillaume, Madge Sinclair, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin and Jim Cummings.

Arlington National Cemetery established around General Lee’s former mansion 150 years ago today (June 15 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'History of Arlington National Cemetery - Preview'

(Wednesday, June 15, 1864; during the American Civil War) — Arlington National Cemetery was established today when 200 acres around Arlington Mansion (formerly owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee) were officially set aside as a military cemetery by U.S. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.

U.S. Marines land on Saipan 70 years ago this hour (June 15 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Japan 3/5' (June 15, 1944, at 9:36)

(Thursday, June 15, 1944, 7:00 a.m. ChST; during the Battle of Saipan, part of World War II, Pacific War) — U.S. Marines stormed the beaches of the strategically significant Japanese island of Saipan this morning in an attempt to capture an air base from which the U.S. could launch its new long-range B-29 bombers directly at Japan’s home islands. Continue reading U.S. Marines land on Saipan 70 years ago this hour (June 15 1944) →