Allied forces land in southern France 70 years ago this hour (Aug 15 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Allied Invasion of Southern France - Operation Dragoon, the Other D-Day_Full Length WWII Documentary'

(Tuesday, August 15, 1944, just before 8:00 a.m. CET; Operation Dragoon, part of Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre and the European Theatre of World War II during World War II) — Thousands of Allied troops, mainly American and French, swarmed on to the south coast of France on a broad front between Marseille and Nice this morning, seized and extended firm beachheads against inconsequential German opposition and, taking high ground inland, drove northward with the avowed intention of joining the Allies in northwestern France. Continue reading Allied forces land in southern France 70 years ago this hour (Aug 15 1944) →

2004 Summer Olympics open in Athens 10 years ago tonight (Aug 13 2004)

2000s


Video: 'Athens 2004 Opening Ceremony -HD-'

(Friday, August 13, 2004, evening) — The 2004 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, opened tonight at the Olympic Stadium in Maroussi, Greece, a suburb of Athens.

72,000 spectators looked on as 1996 Olympic sailing champion Nikolaos Kaklamanakis lit a giant cigar-shaped tapered column resembling a torch (not the usual cauldron).

Fall dashes Mary Decker’s dream of gold 30 years ago today (Aug 11 1984)

1980s


Video: 'Olympic 3000m Finals 1984'

(Saturday, August 11, 1984; during the 1984 Summer Olympics) — At the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, American runner Mary Decker fell after colliding with South African-born British competitor Zola Budd in the 3,000-meter final; Budd finished seventh.

President Reagan caught joking about ‘bombing’ Russia 30 years ago today (Aug 11 1984)

1980s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'We begin bombing Russia in five minutes anniversary of Cold War era joke'

(Saturday, August 11, 1984; during the Cold War) — During a voice test for a paid political radio address, U.S. President Ronald Reagan joked that he had “signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

The Beach Boys complete ‘When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)’ 50 years ago this hour (Aug 10 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'The Beach Boys Today! (Full Album HQ Stereo Remaster) (1965) - Beach Boys' ('When I Grow Up' at 6:51)

(Monday, August 10, 1964, 11:00 p.m. PDT) — The Beach Boys overdubbed vocals and an instrumental insert to the Aug. 5, 1964, instrumental master of “When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)” today at United Western Recorders studio in Los Angeles to completing the A-side of their next single.

American forces overcome remaining Japanese resistance on Guam 70 years ago this hour (Aug 10 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'THE BATTLE OF GUAM: WORLD WAR II - Military History (documentary)' (Aug. 10, at 41:11)

(Thursday, August 10, 1944 5:30 p.m. ChST; during the Battle of Guam, part of the Pacific War of World War II) — Guam was declared secure by the Allies today as organized Japanese resistance ended, though an estimated 7,500 Japanese soldiers were estimated to be at-large. Continue reading American forces overcome remaining Japanese resistance on Guam 70 years ago this hour (Aug 10 1944) →

Former President Nixon declares ‘we’re home’ upon arrival in California 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: '"AIR FORCE ONE: THE PLANES AND THE PRESIDENTS" (1991)' (Nixons arrive in California on Aug. 9, 1974, at 41:23)

(Friday, August 9, 1974, 11:56 a.m. PDT; during the Watergate scandal) — Former U.S. President Richard Nixon declared “we’re home” today as he addressed 5,000 people who came out to greet him and his wife, former First Lady Pat Nixon, upon their arrival at El Toro Marine Base in California.

A helicopter then whisked the Nixons to La Casa Pacifica, their sprawling seaside villa near San Clemente. Nixon’s term of office had officially expired three hours, 21 minutes before, having become the first president to resign in disgrace.