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Truman briefed on Hiroshima bombing, issues warning 80 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'American Experience - Truman (1997) - Part 3' (Aug. 6, 1945, at 40:19)

Video: 'American Experience: Truman' (Aug. 6, 1945, at 2:10:56)
(Monday, August 6, 1945, a few minutes before noon in “Zone Plus Three” time; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry Truman, eating lunch aboard the USS Augusta on his way from when he was Plymouth, England, to Newport News, Virginia, following the Potsdam Conference in Germany, was handed a decoded message today informing him of the successful use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, saying “this is the greatest thing in history.” Continue reading Truman briefed on Hiroshima bombing, issues warning 80 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1945) →

Enola Gay drops first atomic bomb in war killing 140,000 in Hiroshima 80 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Aug. 6, 1945, at 36:34)

(Monday, August 6, 1945, 8:15 a.m. Japan Standard Time; during World War II) — An American B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, dropped “Little Boy,” the world’s first atom bomb (used in warfare), this morning over the city of Hiroshima, Japan, resulting in an estimated 140,000 deaths. Continue reading Enola Gay drops first atomic bomb in war killing 140,000 in Hiroshima 80 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1945) →

Enola Gay departs Tinian Island to drop first atomic bomb 80 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Aug. 6, 1945, at 34:42)

(Monday, August 6, 1945, 2:45 a.m. Chamorro Standard Time; during World War II) — An American B-29, with Lt. Col. Paul W. Tibbets in command and named the Enola Gay after his mother, left Tinian Island in the Marianas with “Little Boy,” the nickname for one of two atom bombs available for use against Japan, on board, bound for Hiroshima. Continue reading Enola Gay departs Tinian Island to drop first atomic bomb 80 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1945) →

‘Babe’ comedy-drama film opens in U.S. and Canada 30 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1995)

1990s, movies 1990s


Video: 'Babe' trailer

(Friday, August 4, 1995, 11:55 a.m. EDT) — Babe, a comedy-drama film about a pig raised by sheepdogs who learns to herd sheep with a little help from Farmer Hoggett, was released today in the U.S. and Canada, opening this hour (11:55 a.m. EDT) at Sony Lincoln Square & Imax Theater at 1998 Broadway in New York City. Continue reading ‘Babe’ comedy-drama film opens in U.S. and Canada 30 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1995) →

Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant seriously injured in car accident 50 years ago today (Aug 4 1975)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Video: 'Pink Floyd Debuts, Robert Plant Injured in Crash - August 4 in Rock History' (Aug. 4, 1975, at 0:43)

(Monday, August 4, 1975) — Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant and his family were seriously injured in a car accident today while vacationing in Rhodes, Greece, forcing the band to postpone its U.S. tour. Continue reading Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant seriously injured in car accident 50 years ago today (Aug 4 1975) →

Enola Gay atomic bomb mission crews briefed on Tinian Island 80 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (Aug. 4, 1945, at 55:34)

(Saturday, August 4, 1945, 3:00 p.m. Chamorro Standard Time; during World War II) — On Tinian Island, the crews chosen to fly the Enola Gay mission were briefed today, but no one mentioned the words “atomic bomb.”

Former President Andrew Johnson buried in Greeneville 150 years ago today (Aug 3 1875)

1870s, U.S. Presidents

(Tuesday, August 3, 1875) — Former U.S. President Andrew Johnson (1865-1869) was buried today in what later became the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Greeneville, Tennessee, with his body wrapped in an American flag and a copy of the U.S. Constitution placed under his head, according to his wishes. Continue reading Former President Andrew Johnson buried in Greeneville 150 years ago today (Aug 3 1875) →

‘To Catch a Thief’ romantic thriller film opens in Hollywood 70 years ago this hour (Aug 3 1955)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'To Catch a Thief' trailer

(Wednesday, August 3, 1955, doors were scheduled to open at 12 noon PDT) — To Catch a Thief, a romantic thriller film about a retired cat burglar fights to clear himself of a series of Riviera robberies committed in his style, opened today at the Hollywood Paramount Theater at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘To Catch a Thief’ romantic thriller film opens in Hollywood 70 years ago this hour (Aug 3 1955) →

‘Shout’ by Tears for Fears peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, August 3, 1985) — “Shout” by Tears for Fears peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three consecutive weeks (Aug. 3/10/17, 1985). Continue reading ‘Shout’ by Tears for Fears peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (Aug 3 1985) →