Category Archives: 1940s

Fontainebleau conference begins near Paris 80 years ago today (Jul 6 1946)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-2) The First Vietnam War (1945-54)' (Ho Chi Minh in Paris, Fontainebleau conference at 3:36)

(Saturday, July 6, 1946, morning Central European Time; after the War in Vietnam (1945–46)) — The Fontainebleau conference, a negotiating session between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the French Fourth Republic, began this morning at the Palace of Fontainebleau (65 kilometers south of Paris), to reach agreement on a number of issues including Vietnamese independence.

U.S. President George W. Bush born in New Haven, Connecticut 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 6 1946)


Video: 'George W. Bush Bio: From the Military to the White House'

(Saturday, July 6. 1946, 7:26 a.m. EDT)George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States (2001-2009), was born today at Grace-New Haven Hospital (now Yale–New Haven Hospital) in New Haven, Connecticut, as the first child of future U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush and his wife, Barbara Pierce. Continue reading U.S. President George W. Bush born in New Haven, Connecticut 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 6 1946)

Louis Reard introduces woman’s bikini swimsuit 80 years ago today (Jul 5 1946)


Video: '5th July 1946: The bikini swimsuit introduced for the first time'

(Friday, July 5, 1946) — The bikini, a women’s abbreviated two-piece swimsuit with a bra top for the chest and underwear cut below the navel created by Parisian engineer Louis Reard, was modeled by nude dancer Micheline Bernardini, 18, during a poolside fashion show today in Paris. Continue reading Louis Reard introduces woman’s bikini swimsuit 80 years ago today (Jul 5 1946)

Fred M. Vinson takes oath as 13th Chief Justice 80 years ago #OTD (Jun 24 1946)


Video: 'Fred M. Vinson Sworn In'

(Monday, June 24, 1946)Fred M. Vinson, retiring Secretary of the Treasury, was sworn in as thirteenth Chief Justice of the United States today (succeeding the late Harlan F. Stone) at an unusual ceremony on the South Portico of the White House, where President Harry S. Truman said that the traditional respect of Americans for the courts would be enhanced by Vinson’s service on the bench.

John F. Kennedy wins first congressional primary 80 years ago this hour (Jun 18 1946)


Video: '"American Experience" THE KENNEDYS: Part 1, The Father, (1900-1961)' (1946 campaign at 43:00)

(Tuesday, June 18, 1946, polls closed at 8:00 p.m. EDT)John F. Kennedy, seeking his first public office, won today’s Democratic primary for the 11th Congressional seat in Massachusetts, out polling his nearest rival Mike Neville 19,426 votes to 10,875 votes to face Republican Lester Bowen in the general election.

Rail strike ends as Truman demands laws, including draft, to stop action against U.S. 80 years ago this hour (May 25 1946)


Video: 'Truman & the Railroad Strike of 1946 - Part 3' (May 25, 1946)

(Saturday, May 25, 1946, 3:57 p.m. EST; during the Strike wave of 1945–46) — With only three minutes left before the U.S. Army would seize control of the nation’s railroads, the leaders of both striking railway workers’ unions signed a settlement today at the White House. Continue reading Rail strike ends as Truman demands laws, including draft, to stop action against U.S. 80 years ago this hour (May 25 1946)

Truman calls rail men to return at once, will use Army to run trains if they do not 80 years ago this hour (May 24 1946)


Video: 'Truman & the Railroad Strike of 1946 - Part 1' (Truman address at 0:17)

(Friday, May 24, 1946, 9:00 p.m. EST; during the Strike wave of 1945–46) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman made a nationwide radio address tonight regarding the railway strike, and delivered an ultimatum: “If sufficient workers to operate the trains have not returned, by 4 p.m. tomorrow, as head of our government, I have no alternative but to operate the trains by using every means within my power … I shall ask our armed forces to furnish protection to every man who heeds the call of his country in this hour of need.” Continue reading Truman calls rail men to return at once, will use Army to run trains if they do not 80 years ago this hour (May 24 1946)

Strike halts railroads, paralyzes nation 80 years ago this hour (May 23 1946)


Video: 'Rail Strike Paralyzes America; Ike in Far East 1946/5/23'

(Thursday, May 23, 1946, 4:00 p.m. EST; during the Strike wave of 1945–46) — A countrywide railroad strike, which if prolonged may cripple the national economy and affect the life of every citizen, went into effect today as thousands of railroad workers walked off of their jobs. Continue reading Strike halts railroads, paralyzes nation 80 years ago this hour (May 23 1946)

‘Annie Get Your Gun’ musical opens on Broadway 80 years ago this hour (May 16 1946)


Video: 'Annie Get Your Gun (1946 Cast Recording)' (12 clips)

(Thursday, May 16, 1946, 8:30 p.m. EDT) — The Irving Berlin musical Annie Get Your Gun, starring Ethel Merman as Annie Oakley and Ray Middleton as Frank Butler, opened tonight on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street (George Abbott Way) in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City.