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Kennedy urges stiffer drug law, cites Thalidomide case 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, U.S. Presidents

(Wednesday, August 1, 1962) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy today promised stiffer government controls to avert drug tragedies and urges every woman in the country to guard against take thalidomide, blamed for thousands of malformed births in Europe.

Alfred A. Cunningham becomes first U.S. Marine pilot 100 years ago today (1912)

1910s


Video: '100 Years of Marine Corps Aviation'

(Thursday, August 1, 1912) — The U.S. Marine Corps’ first pilot, 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham, went on his first solo flight today as he took off in a Burgess/Curtis Hydroplane from Marblehead Harbor in Massachusetts.

Sen. Eagleton withdraws from Democratic presidential ticket 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s


Video: July 31, 1972 (at 1:33)

(Monday, July 31, 1972, 9:45 p.m. EDT) — Democratic vice-presidential nominee, Sen. Thomas Eagleton of Missouri, withdrew tonight from the party’s presidential ticket with George McGovern following disclosures that Eagleton had once undergone psychiatric treatment. Continue reading Sen. Eagleton withdraws from Democratic presidential ticket 40 years ago this hour (1972) →

‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ opens in the U.S. 30 years ago today (1982)

1980s, Movies 1980s


Video: 'An Officer and a Gentleman' trailer

(Wednesday, July 28, 1982) — An Officer and a Gentleman, a drama film that tells the story of a U.S. Navy aviation officer candidate who comes into conflict with the Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who trains him, opened today in limited release in the U.S.

Directed by Taylor Hackford, the film stars Richard Gere, Debra Winger, Louis Gossett, Jr. (who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), David Keith, Lisa Blount, Robert Loggia and Tony Plana.

Wrestler appears to knock Andy Kaufman out of chair on ‘Letterman’ show 30 years ago today (1982)

1980s, Television 1980s


Video: 'David Letterman - Jerry Lawler - Andy Kaufman - Unedited'

(Wednesday, July 28, 1982) — Entertainer Andy Kaufman and wrestler Jerry Lawler appear to get in a fight today during a taping of NBC-TV’s Late Night with David Letterman, with Lawler knocking Kaufman out of his chair. It was later revealed to have been staged.

VP nominee Eagleton asserts he will stay in the race 40 years ago today (1972)

1970s


Video: ABC News, July 28, 1972 (at 0:33)

(Friday, July 28, 1972) — Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Thomas F. Eagleton declared today in San Francisco, “You’re not going to get me out of this race — never.”

Eagleton’s statement at a news conference was the strongest yet on the speculation that he might quit the Democratic ticket because of pressure over his past health problems, which required electroconvulsive therapy twice.

Summer Olympics open in Barcelona 20 years ago today (1992)

1990s


Video: 'Barcelona 1992 Opening Ceremony - Entrance of Olympic Flag - Olympic Anthem'

(Saturday, July 25, 1992) — Opening ceremonies were held today at Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc in Barcelona, Spain, for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad.

‘High Noon’ premieres in New York 60 years ago today (1952)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'High Noon' trailer

(Thursday, July 24, 1952) — High Noon, a Western film that tells in real time the story of a town marshal forced to face a gang of killers by himself, premiered today at the Mayfair theater in New York City.

The film was directed by Fred Zinnemann and stars Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Cooper), Best Film Editing, Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, and Best Music, Song.