Category Archives: 1940s

Congressional proceedings televised for the first time this hour 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 3 1947)


Video: '80th Congress Convenes; Truman State of the Union 1947/1/6' (Jan. 3, 1947, at 0:00-1:15)

(Friday, January 3, 1947, 12:30 p.m. EST) — Congressional proceedings were televised for the first time today as viewers in Washington, Philadelphia and New York got to see some of the opening ceremonies of the 80th United States Congress. Continue reading Congressional proceedings televised for the first time this hour 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 3 1947)

President Truman officially proclaims end of hostilities in World War II 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 31 1946)

(Tuesday, December 31, 1946, 10:30 a.m. EST) — U.S. President Harry Truman, in a surprise proclamation, terminated formally the period of hostilities in World War II as of noon today. Continue reading President Truman officially proclaims end of hostilities in World War II 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 31 1946)

‘The Old Lamp-Lighter’ by Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 28 1946)

(Saturday, December 28, 1946)“The Old Lamp-Lighter” by Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra (Billy Williams, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for seven consecutive weeks (Dec. 28, 1946, Jan. 4/11/18/25, Feb. 1/8, 1947).

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1946)


Video: 'It's A Wonderful Life' trailer

(Friday, December 20, 1946, 8:30 p.m. EST)It’s a Wonderful Life, an American Christmas fantasy drama film about an angel who helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed, premiered tonight at special benefit showing for the Boys’ Club of New York at the Globe theatre at 205 West 46th Street in midtown-Manhattan. Continue reading ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ premieres in New York City 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 20 1946)

First Indochina War breaks out 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1946)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 1' (First Indochina War begins at 34:08)

(Thursday, December 19, 1946, 8:03 p.m. ICT; during the Cold War) — The First Indochina War, primarily between between French forces and their Viet Minh opponents, broke out tonight in French Indochina when Viet Minh soldiers under Ho Chi Minh plunged Hanoi into darkness and began attacking French military positions and French homes in the Battle of Hanoi. Continue reading First Indochina War breaks out 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1946)

General Assembly votes to establish the U.N.’s headquarters in New York 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1946)


Video: 'UN in 3D: The story of building where history is made'

(Saturday, December 14, 1946, soon after 9:30 p.m. EST) — A six-block tract in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan offered as a $8.5 million gift by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., was chosen late tonight as the permanent world capital of the United Nations by a vote of 46 to 7. Continue reading General Assembly votes to establish the U.N.’s headquarters in New York 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1946)

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) established 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1946)


Video: 'UNICEF 1946-1959: An Agency for Children is Born'

(Wednesday, December 11, 1946, 12:00 p.m. EST) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly today to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. Continue reading United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) established 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1946)

23 Nazi doctors go on trial in Nuremberg 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 9 1946)


Video: 'Defendants plead not guilty at the Doctors' Trial of War Criminals before the US ...HD Stock Footage'

(Monday, December 9, 1946) — The “subsequent Nuremberg trials” began today with the “Doctors’ trial,” prosecuting physicians and officers alleged to be involved in Nazi human experimentation and mass murder under the guise of euthanasia. Continue reading 23 Nazi doctors go on trial in Nuremberg 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 9 1946)

119 killed in deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1946)


Video: 'Winecoff Hotel Fire'

(Saturday, December 7, 1946, 3:15 a.m. local time) — The 15-story Winecoff Hotel on Peachtree Street in the heart of downtown Atlanta was destroyed early this morning killing 119 people, including hotel founder W. Frank Winecoff, in the deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history. Continue reading 119 killed in deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1946)

‘The Lost Weekend’ wins Best Motion Picture at 18th Academy Awards 70 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1946)


Video: 'Academy Awards 1945'

(Thursday, March 7, 1946, 8:00-9:41 p.m. PST)The Lost Weekend, a noir drama film about an alcoholic writer, won four Oscars tonight, including Best Motion Picture, Best Director (Billy Wilder) and Best Actor (Ray Milland) at the 18th Academy Awards ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. Continue reading ‘The Lost Weekend’ wins Best Motion Picture at 18th Academy Awards 70 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1946)