Video: 'China's First Nuclear Bomb Test Declassified Footage HD'
(Friday, October 16, 1964, 3:00 p.m. China Standard Time) — The People’s Republic of China today became the fifth nation in the world to possess nuclear weapons, following a successful detonation of an atomic bomb at the Lop Nor test site in Xinjiang’s remote desert. Continue reading China conducts first nuclear test, joins global atomic powers 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1964)
Video: 'Universal Newsreel'
(Wednesday, October 14, 1964) — In a swift and unexpected political shake-up, Nikita Khrushchev, the dominant figure of the Soviet Union for more than a decade, was forced into retirement today by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). Continue reading Nikita Khrushchev deposed as leader of Soviet Union in surprise move by Communist Party 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1964)
Video: 'Officers aboard the USS Nautilus SSN-571 submarine for her commissioning ceremony...HD Stock Footage'
(Thursday, September 30, 1954, 3:11 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — The world’s first atomic-powered submarine, USS Nautilus, officially joined the United States Navy today, marking a significant milestone in naval technology and a strategic answer to the growing naval power of the Soviet Union. Continue reading World’s first nuclear-powered submarine commissioned by U.S. Navy at Groton, Connecticut 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 30 1954)
Video: 'Gerald Ford-Remarks on Clemency for Vietnam Era Draft Evaders (September 16,1974)'
(Monday, September 16, 1974, 11:17 a.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War; also during the Watergate scandal) — Eight days after granting disgraced former President Richard Nixon an unconditional pardon, U.S. President Gerald Ford today offered conditional amnesty to thousands of Vietnam-era draft evaders and military deserters who agree to work for up to two years in public service jobs. Continue reading U.S. President Gerald Ford offers conditional amnesty to Vietnam War draft evaders, deserters 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 16 1974)
Video: 'President Johnson's Vietnam Address, 8/4/64. MP498.'
(Tuesday, August 4, 1964, 11:34 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon B. Johnson announced tonight that he had ordered retaliatory action against gunboats and “certain supporting facilities in North Vietnam” following renewed attacks on American destroyers in the second Gulf of Tonkin incident. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson orders retaliatory strikes in Gulf of Tonkin, propelling U.S. into Vietnam War 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 4 1964)
Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Part 4 LBJ Goes to War 1964 65' (Gulf of Tonkin incident at 11:46)
(Sunday, August 2, 1964, 4:08 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Three North Vietnamese Navy torpedo boats from the 135th Torpedo Squadron fired torpedoes and 37-mm. shells at the destroyer USS Maddox today as U.S. forces conducted covert amphibious operations about 30 miles off North Vietnam in became known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Continue reading North Vietnamese gunboats fire on USS Maddox in Gulf of Tonkin incident 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1964)
Video: '"Have You No Decency?" | McCarthy | American Experience | PBS'
(Wednesday, June 9, 1954; during the Second Red Scare) — During the Senate-Army Hearings, Army special counsel Joseph N. Welch berated U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy today for verbally attacking a member of Welch’s law firm, Fred Fisher, asking McCarthy: “Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?” Continue reading Senator Joseph McCarthy’s ‘cruelty’ and ‘recklessness’ assailed during hearing: ‘Have you no sense of decency, sir?’ 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 9 1954)
Video: 'Why France Lost The Battle of Dien Bien Phu 1954 (4K Documentary)' (May 7, 1954, at 17:02)
(Friday, May 7, 1954, 5:30 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, part of the First Indochina War) — The 55-day Battle of Dien Bien Phu, fought in Vietnam between the French Union’s colonial Far East Expeditionary Corps and Viet Minh communist revolutionaries, ended this afternoon when rebel Viet Minh forces overran the French stronghold of Dien Bien Phu, bringing about the end of French control in Indochina and creating the division of Vietnam. Continue reading Vietnamese insurgents overrun French forces at Dien Bien Phu 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 7 1954)
Video: 'See It Now (CBS) - 1954-03-09'
(Tuesday, March 9, 1954, 10:30 p.m. EST; during the Second Red Scare) — CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow critically reviewed Wisconsin Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy’s anti-communism campaign on tonight’s edition of See It Now. Continue reading CBS newsman Edward Murrow condemns McCarthyism with epic TV commentary 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1954)
(Saturday, March 3, 1984) — “99 Luftballons” by Nena at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘99 Luftballons’ by Nena peaks at #2 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 3 1984)
