Category Archives: 1960s

Saigon battalions retake Binh Gia in long fight 50 years ago today (Dec 30 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Dec. 30, 1964, at 19:35)

(Wednesday, December 30, 1964; during the Battle of Binh Gia of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Saigon troops recaptured the village of Binh Gia today after U.S. helicopters flew in reinforcements. The battle continued through Jan. 1, 1975.

Viet Cong capture South Vietnamese village of Binh Gia 50 years ago today (Dec 28 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Dec. 28, 1964, at 19:06)

(Monday, December 28, 1964, early hours; during the Battle of Binh Gia of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Some 1,500 Vietcong, armed with machine guns and recoil-less rifles, today captured the village of Binh Gia, 40 miles southeast of Saigon. Continue reading Viet Cong capture South Vietnamese village of Binh Gia 50 years ago today (Dec 28 1964)

The Supremes debut on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 50 years ago this hour (Dec 27 1964)


Video: 'Supremes: "Come See About Me" (USA, 1964)'

(Sunday, December 27, 1964, 8 p.m. EST) — The Supremes debuted on the live CBS television variety series The Ed Sullivan Show tonight, performing “Come See About Me.” It was the group’s first of sixteen appearances on the celebrated program (1964-1969).

Cleveland blitz leaves Colts in ruins in NFL Championship Game 50 years ago this hour (Dec 27 1964)


Video: 'Cleveland Browns Frank Ryan last NFL championship QB (1964)' (Dec. 27, 1964, at 4:30)

(Sunday, December 27, 1964, 1:35 p.m. EST) — The Cleveland Browns defeated the Baltimore Colts 27-0 today to win the NFL Championship Game played at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

Viet Cong operatives bomb Saigon quarters of U.S. officers 50 years ago this hour (Dec 24 1964)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Dec. 24, 1964, at 21:15)

(Thursday, December 24, 1964, Christmas Eve, 5:45 p.m. local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Two Viet Cong operatives detonated a car bomb tonight underneath the Brink Hotel in Saigon, which housed United States Army officers. The explosion killed two Americans, an officer and an NCO, and injured approximately 60, including military personnel and Vietnamese civilians.

The Beach Boys make first appearance on ‘Shindig!’ 50 years ago this hour (Dec 23 1964)


Video: 'The Beach Boys - Dance, Dance, Dance (Shindig - 1964)'

(Wednesday, December 23, 1964, 8:30 p.m. EST) — Only hours after Brian Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown on a flight from Los Angeles to Houston, The Beach Boys made their first appearance on ABC-TV’s musical variety series Shindig! tonight (taped Dec. 14, 1964), performing “Dance, Dance, Dance,” “Little Saint Nick,” “Monster Mash,” “Papa Oom Mow Mow,” “Johnny B. Goode,” and “We Three Kings of Orient Are” at ABC Studios in Los Angeles. Continue reading The Beach Boys make first appearance on ‘Shindig!’ 50 years ago this hour (Dec 23 1964)

Beach Boy Brian Wilson has a nervous breakdown on a flight 50 years ago today (Dec 23 1964)


Video: 'SUMMER DREAMS 1990 DVDrip' (Dec. 23, 1964, at 42:29)

(Wednesday, December 23, 1964) — Singer Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys had a nervous breakdown today on a flight between Houston and Los Angeles. It eventually led to his decision to drop from touring with the Beach Boys.

Singer-songwriter Sam Cooke eulogized in Chicago 50 years ago today (Dec 17 1964)


Video: 'Sam Cooke - Legend (The Life, The Legend, The Legacy) DVD (Title 3)' (Dec. 17, 1964, at 1:01:59)

(Thursday, December 17, 1964, evening) — A crowd estimated at 15,000 flocked to the Tabernacle Baptist Church on Chicago’s South Side today to pay last respects to the late Sam Cooke, who was shot and killed in Los Angeles on Dec. 11, 1964 (a second funeral and burial was held Dec. 19, 1964, in Los Angeles).

‘Zorba the Greek’ released in Greece 50 years ago today (Dec 14 1964)

Video: 'Zorba the Greek' trailer

(Monday, December 14, 1964)Zorba the Greek, a drama film about an amoral Greek peasant who teaches a British student the meaning of life, was released today in Greece (it opened in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 17, 1964).

Directed by Michael Cacoyannis, the film starred Anthony Quinn, Alan Bates, Irene Papas, Lila Kedrova, Sotiris Moustakas and Anna Kyriakou.

Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addresses United Nations 50 years ago today (Dec 11 1964)


Video: 'Che Guevara speech at UN 1964 (English subtitles!!)'

(Friday, December 11, 1964; during the Cold War) — Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addressed the United Nations today, declaring that “the final hour of colonialism has struck.” Continue reading Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara addresses United Nations 50 years ago today (Dec 11 1964)