Category Archives: 1970s

Communist forces occupy Da Nang 40 years ago today (Mar 30 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 30, 1975, at 31:50)

(Easter Sunday, March 30, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — A speedy North Vietnamese force moved into chaotic Da Nang today, sweeping across the vast air base where the first U.S. ground forces had landed in 1965.

Last American flight out of Da Nang captured on camera 40 years ago today (Mar 29 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 29, 1975, at 30:24)

(Saturday, March 29, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Against official American advice, a World Airways jet with company president Ed Daley aboard made a perilous landing today at Da Nang for one last rescue mission.

Daley wanted to save women and children first, but desperate South Vietnamese soldiers jammed into the airplane. They scrambled into the baggage compartment and clung to the stairway as the plane took off.

Ali stops Wepner in 15th and retains title, decking challenger with right-hand punch 40 years ago tonight (Mar 24 1975)


Video: 'Muhammad Ali - Chuck Wepner. 1975 03 24'

(Monday, March 24, 1975, evening) — Muhammad Ali registered a knockout over Chuck Wepner with only 19 seconds remaining in the 15th round of a brawling bout tonight and retained his world heavyweight title before 14,847 spectators at the Richfield Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio, south of Cleveland.

Wepner, a journeyman known as the “Bayonne Bleeder,” inspired Sly Stallone to make his Rocky films.

100,000 refugees crowd Da Nang by 40 years ago today (Mar 21 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 21, 1975, at 29:21)

(Friday, March 21, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — 100,000 refugees, many of them troops and their families, had crowded into Da Nang by today as South Vietnam’s collapse intensified.

‘Abyssinia, Henry’ episode airs on ‘M*A*S*H’ 40 years ago this hour (Mar 18 1975)


Video: 'MASH Season 3 E-24 Abyssinia Henry'

(Tuesday, March 18, 1975, 8:30 p.m. EST) — The 4077th MASH’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (played by McLean Stevenson), finally gets his discharge on tonight’s episode of the CBS-TV sitcom M*A*S*H. Continue reading ‘Abyssinia, Henry’ episode airs on ‘M*A*S*H’ 40 years ago this hour (Mar 18 1975)

Thieu orders South Vietnamese forces to abandon northern, central provinces 40 years ago this hour (Mar 14 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Mar. 14, 1975, at 27:04)

(Friday, March 14, 1975, 11:00 a.m. ICT; during the Battle of Ban Me Thuot, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu today ordered his forces to abandon the northern and central provinces and form a new line of defense further south.

But, hoping to avoid panic, he did not announce the withdrawal or reveal his plans. As the rumors flew, fear spread. Nobody knew what to believe and nobody wanted to be left behind.

Four Grammys given to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Hamlisch 40 years ago this hour (Mar 1 1975)


Video: '17th Grammy Awards 74' (5 videos)

(Saturday, March 1, 1975, 10:00-11:30 p.m. EST) — The blind singer-composer Stevie Wonder and composer Marvin Hamlisch each received four awards tonight at 17th Annual Grammy Awards at Uris Theatre in New York City.

Record of the Year went to a British-born singer Olivia Newton-John, for “I Honestly Love You.”

Legendary child actress Shirley Temple interviewed for ’60 Minutes’ 30 years ago this hour (Feb 9 1975)

Video: 'Shirley Temple: From child star to ambassador'

(Sunday, February 9, 1975, 6:00 p.m. EST) — Legendary child actress Shirley Temple (Black) was interviewed by correspondent Morley Safer tonight on the CBS television magazine series 60 Minutes as she embarked on a new career as the U.S. ambassador to Ghana.

Khmer Rouge attacks force thousands into Phnom Penh 40 years ago this hour (Jan 1 1975)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Cambodia and Laos [8/11]' (Jan. 1, 1975, at 42:32)

(Wednesday, January 1, 1975, 1:20 a.m. local time; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Communist-led insurgents known as the Khmer Rouge launched a series of attacks on the outskirts of Phnom Penh today and thousands of refugees, hundreds of them injured, streamed into the capital.

Thousands watch Hollywood farewell to Jack Benny 40 years ago today (Dec 29 1974)


Video: 'Jack Benny - CBS News Tribute/Obituary (Dec 29, 1974)' (Benny's funeral at 32:47)

(Sunday, December 29, 1974) — The show-business world turned out today at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California, to say goodbye to Jack Benny, the gentle comedian who charmed millions of Americans over a long career that carried him through the top ranks of vaudeville, radio, movies and television.

Benny died Dec. 26, 1974, of cancer at the age of 80.