Video: 'PBS LBJ Part 1' (Civil Rights Act of 1957 at 43:28)
(Wednesday, August 7, 1957, evening EDT) — The U.S. Senate tonight passed 72-18 the first federal civil rights legislation to become law in 82 years. Continue reading Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957)
Video: 'In the Heat of the Night' trailer
(Wednesday, August 2, 1967, 10:00 a.m. EDT) — In the Heat of the Night, an American mystery drama film about a black police detective from the North forces a bigoted Southern sheriff to accept his help with a murder investigation, opened this morning at Loew’s Capitol theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘In the Heat of the Night’ opens in New York City 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1967)
Video: 'Address to the Nation Regarding Civil Disorder, 7/27/67. MP593.'
(Thursday, July 27, 1967, 10:30 p.m. EDT) — President Lyndon B. Johnson announced tonight that he had appointed the Kerner Commission to investigate the epidemic of racial disorders and to recommend remedial measures to him, Congress, governors and mayors. Continue reading President Johnson forms panel to assess causes of riots 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967)
Video: 'New York Riots H. Rap Brown 1967' (July 27, 1967, at 0:27)
(Thursday, July 27, 1967; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — H. Rap Brown, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, told a press conference today in Washington that violence was “as American as cherry pie. Americans taught the black people to be violent. We will use that violence to rid ourselves of oppression if necessary.” Continue reading Black militant H. Rap Brown says violence ‘as American as cherry pie’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967)
Video: 'Address to the Nation Regarding Civil Disorder, 7/24/67. MP593.'
(Monday, July 24, 1967, 11:58 p.m. EDT) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered 4,700 troops into the Detroit area today to help quell two days of rioting in the predominantly African-American inner city, saying “We will not tolerate lawlessness.” Continue reading LBJ orders 4,700 Army paratroopers to riot-torn Detroit 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 24 1967)
Video: 'Detroit Riots 1967'
(Sunday, July 23, 1967, 4:45 a.m. EDT) — The 1967 Detroit riot, also known as the 12th Street riot, one of the most violent riots in U.S. history, began today in the predominantly African-American inner city of Detroit. Continue reading 1967 Detroit riot begins 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 23 1967)
Video: 'Riots in Newark New Jersey 1967'
(Wednesday, July 12, 1967, 9:30 p.m. EDT) — Rioting erupted tonight in Newark, New Jersey, over the police beating of African-American taxicab driver John Smith at the corner of 15th Avenue and South Ninth Street. Continue reading 1967 Newark riots erupt 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 12 1967)
Video: 'Larry Doby Biography'
(Saturday, July 5, 1947) — Larry Doby, 23, made his debut with the Cleveland Indians today, becoming the first black player in the American League three months after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in the National League. Continue reading Larry Doby breaks American League color barrier 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 5 1947)
Video: 'American Experience Truman 2 of 3' (June 29, 1947, at 38:11)
(Sunday, June 29, 1947, 4:30 p.m. EDT) — President Harry S. Truman became the first President to address the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People today, declaring that the nation has “reached the turning point in the long history of its efforts to guarantee freedom and equality to all our citizens” in a speech at the closing session of the civil rights organization’s 38th annual conference at Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Truman becomes first president to address NAACP 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 29 1947)
Video: 'American Experience Truman 2 of 3' (June 28, 1947, at 37:56)
(Saturday, June 28, 1947) — President Harry S. Truman wrote his sister a letter today, mentioning his upcoming speech to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: “I’ve got to make a speech tomorrow to the Society for the Advancement of Colored People and I wish I didn’t have to make it… Mamma won’t like what I say.” Continue reading Truman writes about upcoming historic speech to NAACP 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 28 1947)
