All posts by admin

First formal African-American military unit defeated at Fort Wagner 150 years ago this hour (1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Colonel Robert Gould Shaw: 54th Massachusetts Regiment'

(Saturday, July 18, 1863, 7:45-10:00 p.m. local time; during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner of the American Civil War) — The first formal African American military unit, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, unsuccessfully assaulted Confederate-held Fort Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina, today but their valiant fighting still proves the worth of African American soldiers during the war. Continue reading First formal African-American military unit defeated at Fort Wagner 150 years ago this hour (1863) →

Elvis Presley makes his first recording 60 years ago today (1953)

1950s, Elvis Presley, Popular Music 1950s


Video: 'Elvis Presley - My Happiness (Elvis' first recording)'

(Saturday, July 18, 1953) — Elvis Presley, 18, recorded “My Happiness” today as a gift for his mother at The Memphis Recording Service, home of the Sun label; it was his first recording.

McCartney films secret street gig for ‘Broad Street’ film 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Paul McCartney-Give My Regards to Broad Street-Full Movie-HQ' ('Leicester tube station' sequence begins at 1:38:45)

(Saturday, July 16, 1983, early hours of the morning) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, in disguise, was secretly filmed performing today outside London’s Leicester Square tube station, near the Talk Of The Town, in London, 10 days before completing principal photography for the movie Give My Regards To Broad Street. The film, directed by Peter Webb, was written and starred McCartney.

Butterfield publicly reveals existence of Nixon’s secret taping system 40 years ago today (1973)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate

(Monday, July 16, 1973; during the Watergate Scandal) — Former White House aide Alexander P. Butterfield publicly revealed the existence of President Richard Nixon’s secret taping system today during the Senate Watergate hearings. Butterfield had already told Senate Watergate Committee staff members privately on July 13, 1973.

The Beach Boys complete nine songs for ‘Surfer Girl’ album 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Our Car Club by the Beach Boys'

(Tuesday, July 16, 1963) — The Beach Boys recorded (or completed recording) nine songs today at Western Recorders Studio in Hollywood for their third studio album Surfer Girl, including “Our Car Club,” “The Rocking Surfer,” “South Bay Surfer (The Old Folks at Home),” “Surfer’s Rule,” “Your Summer Dream,” “Boogie Woodie,” “Catch a Wave,”  “Hawaii,” and “In My Room.” Continue reading The Beach Boys complete nine songs for ‘Surfer Girl’ album 50 years ago today (1963) →

Bush administration outs CIA ‘operative’ to discredit husband, a critic of Iraq War 10 years ago today (2003)

2000s


Video: 'Interview with Valerie Plame/Part 1 with Jason Leopold'

(Monday, July 14, 2003) — In an effort to discredit U.S. Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson, who had written an article critical of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Washington Post columnist Robert Novak today identified Wilson’s wife Valerie Plame is a CIA “operative,” citing two Bush administration officials. Continue reading Bush administration outs CIA ‘operative’ to discredit husband, a critic of Iraq War 10 years ago today (2003) →

Nazi eugenics begins with ‘Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring’ 80 years ago today (1933)

1930s

(Friday, July 14, 1933) — The Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring (Gesetz zur Verhütung erbkranken Nachwuchses) was decreed today in Nazi Germany, initially providing for the compulsory sterilization of persons with mental retardation (“hereditary feeblemindedness”), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and persons born with handicaps.

Battle of Prokhorovka begins 70 years ago this hour (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Kursk-Battle for Prokhorovka.flv'

(Monday, July 12, 1943, 6:50 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Prokhorovka, part of the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front of World War II) — The battle of Prokhorovka between German invaders and Soviet defenders, regarded as one of the largest tank battles in military history, took place today with no clear victor.