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Atomic Age begins! U.S. explodes first experimental atomic bomb in New Mexico 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Explosion and smoke cloud of the first Atomic Bomb detonation rising at Alamogord...HD Stock Footage'

(Sunday, July 16, 1945, 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time; during World War II) — The Atomic Age began this morning when the United States successfully detonated a plutonium-based test nuclear weapon at the Trinity bomb site near Alamogordo, New Mexico, unleashing an explosion equivalent to that of 19 kilotons of TNT (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:55:04). Continue reading Atomic Age begins! U.S. explodes first experimental atomic bomb in New Mexico 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945) →

British PM Winston Churchill calls on U.S. President Harry S. Truman in Babelsberg 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

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


Video: 'MP76-35 reel 1 - NEW FILM TRANSFER - President Truman’s Trip to the Berlin Conference' (Truman and Churchill at 19:24)

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 11:00 a.m. CEST; one day before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — Prime Minister Winston Churchill called on U.S. President Harry S. Truman this morning at U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg, Germany, ahead of the Potsdam Conference with Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945). (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:53:14).

Apollo blasts into orbit for a rendezvous with Soyuz 50 years ago this hour (July 15 1975)

1970s, Cold War, space exploration


Video: 'ASTP TV Coverage - Apollo Launch'

(Thursday, July 15, 1975, 3:50:00 p.m. EDT) — Three American astronauts blasted off aboard an Apollo spaceship today hours after two Soviet cosmonauts were launched aboard a Soyuz spacecraft for a mission that included a linkup of the two ships in orbit.

Shockingly gaunt Rock Hudson appears at news conference 40 years ago today (July 15 1985)

1980s


Video: '1985 - Rock Hudson "Mystery Illness"' (July 15, 1985, at 1:11-1:20)

(Monday, July 15, 1985) — A shockingly gaunt Rock Hudson appeared at a news conference today with actress Doris Day to promote her new TV cable show Doris Day’s Best Friends in which Hudson was videotaped visiting Day’s ranch in Carmel, California, a few days earlier. Continue reading Shockingly gaunt Rock Hudson appears at news conference 40 years ago today (July 15 1985) →

President Truman arrives in Antwerp, Belgium for Potsdam Conference 80 years ago this hour (July 15 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'President Harry Truman of United States arrives in Antwerp and moves to Brussels'...HD Stock Footage'

(Sunday, July 15, 1945, Truman stepped down the gangway of Augusta at 11:10 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman arrived in Antwerp, Belgium, this morning aboard the USS Augusta, bound for Antwerp, Belgium, for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin on July 17, 1945, in Potsdam, occupied Germany. Continue reading President Truman arrives in Antwerp, Belgium for Potsdam Conference 80 years ago this hour (July 15 1945) →

Adlai Stevenson, U.S. diplomat and two-time presidential nominee, dies in London 60 years ago this hour (July 14 1965)

1960s


Video: 'July 14, 1965 - Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson dies in London, England'

(Wednesday, July 14, 1965, 5:10 p.m. British Summer Time) — U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Adlai E. Stevenson, twice the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for president (in 1952 and 1956, both times defeated by Republican Dwight Eisenhower), suffered a fatal heart attack today while walking in London through Grosvenor Square. Stevenson was 65. Continue reading Adlai Stevenson, U.S. diplomat and two-time presidential nominee, dies in London 60 years ago this hour (July 14 1965) →

British climber Edward Whymper leads first ascent of Matterhorn 160 years ago this hour (July 14 1865)

1860s


Video: 'Zermatt, the first ascent of the Matterhorn, Edward Whymper'

(Friday, July 14, 1865, 1:40 p.m. local time) — The Matterhorn, straddling Italy and Switzerland, was summited today as a seven-member rope party led by British climber Edward Whymper reached the peak. Continue reading British climber Edward Whymper leads first ascent of Matterhorn 160 years ago this hour (July 14 1865) →

‘A View to a Kill’ by Duran Duran peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (July 13 1985)

1980s, James Bond, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 13, 1985) — “A View to a Kill” by Duran Duran peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (July 13/20, 1985). Continue reading ‘A View to a Kill’ by Duran Duran peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (July 13 1985) →

‘Would I Lie to You?’ by Eurythmics peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago today (July 13 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, July 13, 1985) — “Would I Lie to You?” by Eurythmics peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Would I Lie to You?’ by Eurythmics peaks at #5 in USA 40 years ago today (July 13 1985) →