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103 sailors killed by explosions on aircraft carrier off Rhode Island 60 years ago this hour (May 26 1954)


Video: 'USS Bennington'

(Wednesday, May 26, 1954, 6:15 a.m. EDT) — Explosions rocked the aircraft carrier USS Bennington today off Rhode Island, killing 103 sailors. The initial blast was blamed on leaking catapult fluid ignited by the flames of a jet.

‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ ‘The Defenders’ big winners at Emmy Awards 50 years ago this hour (May 25 1964)


Video: 'I'd Rather Be Bald Than Have No Head at All' (Apr. 29, 1964)

(Monday, May 25, 1964, 10:00 p.m. EDT) — The Dick Van Dyke Show dominated the 16th Emmy Awards today, winning five awards, including Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Comedy (for the second consecutive year). Continue reading ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ ‘The Defenders’ big winners at Emmy Awards 50 years ago this hour (May 25 1964) →

McCartney launches ’04 Summer Tour in Spain 10 years ago this hour (May 25 2004)


Video: 'Paul McCartney Gijon TVE'

(Tuesday, May 25, 2004, 10:37 p.m. CEST) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney began a European concert tour tonight at the Estadio El Molinon in Gijón, Spain. The tour would continue through June 26, 2004. Continue reading McCartney launches ’04 Summer Tour in Spain 10 years ago this hour (May 25 2004) →

Attempt to circumvent public school desegregation ruling blocked 50 years ago today (May 25 1964)

(Monday, May 25, 1964) — The U.S. Supreme Court, in Griffin v. County School Board of Prince Edward County, today ordered the Virginia county to reopen its public schools, which officials had closed in an attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka public school desegregation ruling.

‘The Thin Man’ released in the U.S. 80 years ago today (May 25 1934)


Video: 'The Thin Man'

(Friday, May 25, 1934) — The Thin Man, a comedy-mystery film about a husband-and-wife detective team who take on the search for a missing inventor, was released in today in the U.S.

Directed by W. S. Van Dyke, the film starred William Powell and Myrna Loy.

‘Thunderbolt and Lightfoot’ opens in New York City 40 years ago today (May 23 1974)


Video: 'Thunderbolt and Lightfoot' trailer

(Thursday, May 23, 1974) — Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, a crime film about an ex-thief who teams up with an enthusiastic, amiable young drifter, opened today in New York City.

Directed by Michael Cimino, the film starred Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges.

Funeral for former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis held 20 years ago this hour (May 23 1994)


Video: 'Jackie Kennedy Onassis' (11 videos, coverage begins at 10:00 a.m. EDT)

(Monday, May 23, 1994, 2:30 p.m. EDT) — Eulogized by President Clinton as a “remarkable woman whose life will forever glow in the lives of her fellow Americans,” Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was buried this afternoon on an Arlington hillside next to her martyred first husband, John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States. Continue reading Funeral for former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis held 20 years ago this hour (May 23 1994) →

Bank robbers Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker shot to death in police ambush 80 years ago this hour (May 23 1934)


Video: 'Real Bonnie and Clyde - Crime History Documentary' (May 23, 1934, at 38:58)

(Wednesday, May 23, 1934, approximately 9:15 a.m.) — Wanted outlaws Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker were shot to death by Texas and Louisiana state police officers today as they attempted to escape apprehension in a stolen 1934 Ford Deluxe near Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

President Johnson outlines goals of his ‘Great Society’ 50 years ago today (May 22 1964)


Video: 'President Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" Speech'

(Friday, May 22, 1964) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, speaking today at the University of Michigan, outlined the goals of his “Great Society,” saying that it “rests on abundance and liberty for all” and “demands an end to poverty and racial injustice.” Continue reading President Johnson outlines goals of his ‘Great Society’ 50 years ago today (May 22 1964) →