Actor Rock Hudson confirms he has AIDS 40 years ago today (July 25 1985)


Video: '1985 - Rock Hudson "Mystery Illness'

(Thursday, July 25, 1985) — A spokeswoman for actor Rock Hudson, whose recent frail appearance stunned a public that retains an image of him as a tall, dark and handsomely squared-jawed romantic screen hero, confirmed today that he was hospitalized in Paris suffering from AIDS.

‘What the World Needs Now Is Love’ by Jackie DeShannon peaks at #7 in USA 60 years ago today (July 24 1965)

(Saturday, July 24, 1965) — “What the World Needs Now Is Love” by Jackie DeShannon peaked at #7 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love’ by Jackie DeShannon peaks at #7 in USA 60 years ago today (July 24 1965)

‘Marie’ by The Bachelors peaks at #15 in USA 60 years ago today (July 24 1965)

(Saturday, July 24, 1965) — “Marie” by The Bachelors peaked at #15 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Marie’ by The Bachelors peaks at #15 in USA 60 years ago today (July 24 1965)

Truman drops hint to Stalin about atomic bomb 80 years ago this hour (July 24 1945)


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(Tuesday, July 24, 1945, 5:15-7:30 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — At some point during a session of the Potsdam Conference tonight, U.S. President Harry S. Truman rose from his chair and walked slowly around the table to have a private word with Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, casually mentioning that “we had a new weapon of unusual destructive force,” Truman later wrote. Continue reading Truman drops hint to Stalin about atomic bomb 80 years ago this hour (July 24 1945)

848 people die when SS Eastland rolls onto its side in Chicago 110 years ago this hour (July 24 1915)


Video: 'Grad Student Finds Footage of 1915 Ship Disaster'

(Tuesday, July 24, 1915, 7:28 a.m. CDT; during World War I) — The SS Eastland, a passenger ship carrying more than 2,500 people, rolled onto its side today while docked at the Clark Street Bridge on the Chicago River, killing 844 passengers and four crew members.

‘Learnin’ the Blues’ by Frank Sinatra peaks at #2 in USA 70 years ago today (July 23 1955)

(Saturday, July 23, 1955) — “Learnin’ the Blues” by Frank Sinatra was the #2 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Learnin’ the Blues’ by Frank Sinatra peaks at #2 in USA 70 years ago today (July 23 1955)

‘Razzle-Dazzle’ by Bill Haley and His Comets peaks at #15 in USA 70 years ago today (July 23 1955)

(Saturday, July 23, 1955) — “Razzle-Dazzle” by Bill Haley and His Comets peaked at #15 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Razzle-Dazzle’ by Bill Haley and His Comets peaks at #15 in USA 70 years ago today (July 23 1955)

Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, 63, dies in Wilton, New York 140 years ago this hour (July 23 1885)


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant: U.S President And Victor Of The American Civil War'

(Tuesday, July 23, 1885, 8:06 a.m. local time) — General Ulysses S. Grant, former President of the United States and victorious commander of Union forces in the American Civil War, died today at his cottage retreat upon Mount McGregor, after a long and painful battle with cancer of the throat. He was 63 years of age. Continue reading Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, 63, dies in Wilton, New York 140 years ago this hour (July 23 1885)

Henri Pétain, former head of pro-Axis Vichy government, goes on trial for treason 80 years ago this hour (July 23 1945)


Video: 'Trial of Petain - 1945 | Movietone Moment | 26 Apr 19'

(Monday, July 23, 1945, 9:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — French Marshal Henri Petain, who had headed the pro-Axis Vichy government during World War II, went on trial today, charged with treason.

Congress votes to restore American citizenship for Robert E. Lee 50 years ago this hour (July 22 1975)


Video: 'Robert E. Lee - Mini Biography'

(Tuesday, July 22, 1975, just after 8:30 p.m. EDT) — On the eve of the 90th anniversary of Ulysses S. Grant’s death, U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate today in voting to restore the American citizenship of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee (President Gerald Ford would sign the measure on Aug. 5, 1975).