Category Archives: 1930s

Spanish Civil War begins 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 17 1936)


Video: 'WWII in Colour: Spanish Civil War' (July 17, 1936, at 1:43)

(Saturday, July 17, 1936) — The Spanish Civil War began today as right-wing army generals launched a coup attempt against the Second Spanish Republic. Continue reading Spanish Civil War begins 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 17 1936)

FDR opens Triborough span 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 11 1936)


Video: 'Robert F. Kennedy/Triborough Bridge: 75 Years'

(Saturday, July 11, 1936, noon EDT) — New York City’s Triborough Bridge (now officially the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge) linking Manhattan, Queens and The Bronx was dedicated today at ceremonies held on the central span which were attended by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

NBC makes first public television broadcast 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 7 1936)


Video: 'First Television Broadcast NBC/RCA July 7, 1936 Part 1 of 2'

(Tuesday July 7, 1936, afternoon EDT) — The NBC division of RCA made its first television broadcast today in New York, a 30-minute variety show featuring speeches, dance ensembles, monologues, vocal numbers and film clips. Continue reading NBC makes first public television broadcast 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 7 1936)

FDR accepts Democratic nomination for a second term 80 years ago this hour (June 27 1936)


Video: 'Democratic Convention 1936'

(Saturday, June 27, 1936, 10:00 p.m. EDT) — Under a cloud-veiled moon, in skies suddenly cleared of rain, to a mass of more than 100,000 people gathered in the stadium of the University of Pennsylvania, and by radio to unnumbered millions all over the nation and world, Franklin Delano Roosevelt tonight accepted the renomination of the Democratic party for President of the United States and, avoiding personalities of any description, defined the issue of this campaign as it appears to him (click here for full audio and a transcript of FDR’s speech). Continue reading FDR accepts Democratic nomination for a second term 80 years ago this hour (June 27 1936)

Democrats nominate FDR for a second term 80 years ago this hour (June 27 1936)


Video: 'Scenes from the 1936 Democratic Party National Convention in Philadelphia HD Stock Footage'

(Saturday, June 27, 1936, 12:42 a.m. EDT) — President Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York was nominated for a second term by acclamation this morning at the 1936 Republican National Convention meeting at Convention Hall in Philadelphia. Continue reading Democrats nominate FDR for a second term 80 years ago this hour (June 27 1936)

Republicans nominate Frank Knox for vice president 80 years ago today (June 12 1936)

(Friday, June 12, 1936, midday EDT) — Publisher Frank Knox of Illinois was nominated vice president today at the 1936 Republican National Convention meeting at Public Auditorium in Cleveland. Continue reading Republicans nominate Frank Knox for vice president 80 years ago today (June 12 1936)

Republicans nominate ‘Alf’ Landon for president 80 years ago this hour (June 11 1936)


Video: 'Landon Nominated (1936)'

(Thursday, June 11, 1936, 11:41 p.m. EDT) — Governor Alf Landon
of Kansas was nominated president today at the 1936 Republican National Convention meeting at Public Auditorium in Cleveland. Continue reading Republicans nominate ‘Alf’ Landon for president 80 years ago this hour (June 11 1936)

Queen Mary leaves England on maiden voyage 80 years ago this hour (May 27 1936)


Video: 'Queen Mary's Maiden Voyage'

(Wednesday, May 27, 1936, 4:30 p.m. BST) — With a quarter of a million people lining the shores to witness her departure, the Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary left England this afternoon on her maiden voyage to New York.

Italy annexes Ethiopia 80 years ago tonight (May 9 1936)


Video: 'Benito Mussolini - Roma: Discorso del 9 Maggio 1936 (Con Testo)'

(Saturday, May 9, 1936) — Italian Premier Benito Mussolini announced the annexation of Ethiopia tonight and proclaimed Italian East Africa in a triumphant speech from the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia.

Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa falls to Italian invaders 80 years ago this hour (May 5 1936)


Video: 'Italian Troops Enter Addis Ababa (1936)'

(Tuesday, May 5, 1936, 4:00 p.m. EAT; during the March of the Iron Will, part of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War) — Ethiopia’s era of independence, which had lasted since biblical times, ended this afternoon when the Italians occupied Addis Ababa.