(Tuesday, July 31, 1945; during Potsdam Conference of World War II) — The atomic bomb, codenamed “Little Boy,” was successfully assembled today on Tinian Island and is now ready for deployment against Japan. Continue reading Assembly of ‘Little Boy’ atomic bomb completed 80 years ago today (July 31 1945)
Video: 'The Hurricane and the 1715 Treasure Fleet'
(Sunday, July 31, 1715) — A fleet of Spanish ships carrying gold, silver and jewelry sank today during a hurricane off the east Florida coast, scattering most of their treasure along the ocean floor. Continue reading Hurricane sinks 1715 Treasure Fleet 310 years ago today (July 31 1715)
Video: 'Andrew Johnson: The President Who Wasn’t Lincoln | 5-Minute Videos
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(Tuesday, July 31, 1875, 2:00 a.m. local time) — Former President Andrew Johnson, who had recently returned to national office as a United States Senator, died early this morning after suffering a second stroke at his daughter’s home near Elizabethton, Tennessee. He was 66. Continue reading Former U.S. President Andrew Johnson, 66, dies in Elizabethton, Tennessee 150 years ago this hour (July 31 1875)
Video: 'July 30, 1965 | LBJ Signs Medicare Bill'
(Friday, July 30, 1965, 2:55 p.m. CDT) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson flew to Independence, Missouri, today and signed into law Medicare, a national social insurance program for Americans aged 65 and older who have worked and paid into the system, in a moving tribute to former President Harry S. Truman. Continue reading U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs Medicare bill 60 years ago this hour (July 30 1965)
Video: 'What Never Added Up About Jimmy Hoffa's Disappearance'
(Wednesday, July 30, 1975, approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT) — Former Teamsters president James R. “Jimmy” Hoffa, one of the most powerful and controversial labor leaders in American history, was reported missing today after failing to return home from a meeting at a suburban Detroit restaurant. Continue reading Labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa disappears 50 years ago this hour (July 30 1975)
(Friday, July 30, 1965) — The Beatles were interviewed today by Dibbs Mather (click here to listen to a 0:46 second clip) for a BBC Transcription Service disc titled The Beatles during rehearsals for a live TV broadcast scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 1, 1965, from Saville Theatre in London.
Video: 'STS-51F launch, abort & landing (7-29-85)'
(Monday, July 29, 1985, 5:00 p.m. EDT) — The space shuttle Challenger began an 8-day mission today that got off to a shaky start: the spacecraft achieved a safe orbit even though one of its main engines shut down prematurely after lift-off. Continue reading Challenger limps into a low orbit as an engine fails 40 years ago this hour (July 29 1985)
Video: 'The Beatles movie Help! premiers in London'
(Thursday, July 29, 1965, 8:30 p.m. British Summer Time) — Ten thousand fans gathered outside the London Pavilion tonight to see The Beatles arrive in a black Rolls-Royce for the royal premiere of their second film Help!. Continue reading The Beatles attend world premiere of ‘Help!’ feature film in London 60 years ago this hour (July 29 1965)
Video: 'The Beatles a party for the Beatles cartoon series at the TVC studios, 1965'
(Thursday, July 29, 1965) — The Beatles attended a reception today at TVC Studios in London to promote the pending debut (Sept. 25, 1965) of The Beatles Saturday morning cartoon series on ABC-TV in the U.S.
Video: 'The Story of The Beatles Cartoon Series | Why & How It Was Made'
Video: 'The Story of the Deadliest Shark Attack in US History'
(Monday, July 30, 1945, approximately 12:14 a.m. local time; during World War II) — The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk early this morning by a Japanese submarine in the Philippine Sea with only 317 out of nearly 1,200 men aboard surviving. Continue reading USS Indianapolis torpedoed by Japanese 80 years ago this hour (July 30 1945)
