Vietnam War escalates with first U.S. air strikes near Hanoi and Haiphong 50 years ago #OTD this hour (Dec 13 1966)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Dec. 13-14, 1966, at 33:29)

(Tuesday, December 13, 1966; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Operation Marigold, a secret attempt to reach a compromise solution to the Vietnam War, began to collapse today when U.S. President Lyndon Johnson resumed air strikes on Hanoi that continued into the next day. Continue reading Vietnam War escalates with first U.S. air strikes near Hanoi and Haiphong 50 years ago #OTD this hour (Dec 13 1966) →

Nivelle replaces Joffre as French commander-in-chief 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 13 1916)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (Dec. 13, 1916, at 25:19)

(Wednesday, December 13, 1916; during the Battle of the Verdun, part of the Western Front of World War I) — With heavy casualties in the battles of the Somme and Verdun and following the formation of a new government in Paris, General Joseph Joffre was formally replaced today as Commander-in-Chief of French armies on the Western Front by General Robert Nivelle, who promised new tactics to break out of the trenches and win the war. Continue reading Nivelle replaces Joffre as French commander-in-chief 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 13 1916) →

‘Camille’ premieres in Palm Springs, California 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 12 1936)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'Camille' trailer

(Saturday, December 12, 1936, evening PST) — Camille, an American romantic drama film about a kept woman who runs off with a young admirer in search of love and happiness, premiered tonight at the Plaza Theater in Palm Springs, California. Continue reading ‘Camille’ premieres in Palm Springs, California 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 12 1936) →

‘A Man for All Seasons’ premieres in New York City 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 12 1966)

1960s, Movies 1960s


Video: 'A Man for All Seasons' (trailer)

(Monday, December 12, 1966, 8:00 p.m. EST) — A Man for All Seasons, a British biographical drama film in Technicolor about a devout scholar who gets caught in the middle of Henry VIII’s plans to break with the Catholic Church, premiered tonight at the Fine Arts theatre in New York City.

Directed by Fred Zinnemann, the film starred Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Orson Welles, Robert Shaw and Susannah York.

The Mamas & the Papas, David Frye perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1966)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS "Monday Monday" on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, December 11, 1966, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) — The Mamas & the Papas performed “Monday, Monday,” “California Dreamin'” and “Words of Love” on tonight’s edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading The Mamas & the Papas, David Frye perform on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1966) →

‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’ by The Beatles peaks at #49 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1976)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s

(Saturday, December 11, 1976) — “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” by The Beatles peaked at #49 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks (more than six years after the band broke up). Continue reading ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’ by The Beatles peaks at #49 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1976) →

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) established 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1946)

1940s


Video: 'UNICEF 1946-1959: An Agency for Children is Born'

(Wednesday, December 11, 1946, 12:00 p.m. EST) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was created by the United Nations General Assembly today to provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II. Continue reading United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) established 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1946) →

Indiana becomes 19th state 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1816)

1810s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Indiana Bicentennial Minute 01'

(Wednesday, December 11, 1816) — President James Madison signed an act of Congress today admitting Indiana, located in the midwestern and Great Lakes regions of North America, into the Union as the nineteenth state. Continue reading Indiana becomes 19th state 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1816) →