Communist PT boats allegedly renew raids at Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Gulf of Tonkin incident, Aug. 4, 1964, at 12:35)

(Tuesday, August 4, 1964, 10:30 p.m. North Vietnamese time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Defense Department announced tonight that North Vietnamese PT boats made a “deliberate attack” today on two United States destroyers patrolling international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam. Continue reading Communist PT boats allegedly renew raids at Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964) →

Germany declares war on France 100 years ago this afternoon (Aug 3 1914)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'The Great War - S01E02 - For Such a Stupid Reason Too' (Aug. 3, 1914, at 33:33, Germany declares war on France at 35:47)

(Monday, August 3, 1914, afternoon local time; during World War I) — Two days after declaring war on Russia, Germany declared war on France and prepared moved into Belgium today, moving ahead with a long-held strategy, conceived by the former chief of staff of the German army, Alfred von Schlieffen, for a two-front war against France and Russia.

Hitler becomes Führer of Germany following death of President von Hindenburg 80 years ago this morning (Aug 2 1934)

1930s


Video: 'The World At War: A New Germany 2/5' (Aug. 2, 1934, at 6:33)

(Thursday, August 2, 1934, 9:00 a.m. local time) — German President Paul von Hindenburg, 86, died this morning from lung cancer at his home in Neudeck, East Prussia, paving the way for Adolf Hitler’s complete takeover.

Germany declares war on Russia 100 years ago tonight (Aug 1 1914)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'The Great War - S01E02 - For Such a Stupid Reason Too' (August 1, 1914, at 30:03)

(Saturday, August 1, 1914, 7:30 p.m. local time; during World War I) — The German Ambassador, in the name of his Government, sent a declaration of war to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs at 7:30 o’clock this evening. Count von Pourtales and the entire staff of the German Embassy then left St. Petersburg.

Country singer Jim Reeves dies in plane crash 50 years ago this hour (July 31 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'EXCLUSIVE! Jim Reeves Plane Crash Video'

(Friday, July 31, 1964, 4:52 p.m. local time) — Country singer-songwriter Jim Reeves, 40, and his manager, Dean Manuel, were killed today when the private plane Reeves was piloting crashed in bad weather near Nashville. Continue reading Country singer Jim Reeves dies in plane crash 50 years ago this hour (July 31 1964) →

Anti-war French Socialist leader Jean Jaurès assassinated while dining 100 years ago tonight (July 31 1914)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'The Great War episode 1 Exposion' (July 31, 1914, at 48:31)

(Friday, July 31, 1914; during World War I) — Jean Leon Jaures, the French Socialist leader who tried to prevent the First World War, was assassinated tonight in a Parisian café, Le Croissant, 146 rue Montmartre, by Raoul Villain, a 29-year-old French nationalist.

Ranger 7 reaches the moon, transmits pictures back to Earth 50 years ago this hour (July 31 1964)

1960s, space exploration


Video: 'Ranger VII Photographs of the Moon 1964 NASA JPL First Successful US Lunar Spacecraft'

(Friday, July 31, 1964, 16:50:00 UTC) — Ranger 7 radioed to earth today the first close-up pictures of the moon — a historic collection of 4,000 pictures one thousand times as clear as anything ever seen through earth-bound telescopes.

Elvis Presley makes professional debut in Memphis 60 years ago this hour (July 30 1954)

1950s, Elvis Presley, Popular Music 1950s


Image: 'Elvis Presley - Backstage at the Overton Park Shell, Friday, July 30, 1954'

(Friday, July 30, 1954, 8:00 p.m. local time) — Elvis Presley made his professional debut in Memphis. It was his first concert to be advertised.

Federals blow up a tunnel to break Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia 150 years ago this hour (July 30 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Voices of the Civil War Episode 30: "Battle of the Crater"'

(Saturday, July 30, 1864, 4:44 a.m. local time; during the Battle of the Crater, part of the American Civil War) — Union forces tried to take Petersburg, Virginia, today by exploding a gunpowder-laden mine shaft that had been dug out beneath Confederate defense lines; the attack failed.

Pop singer Cass Elliot, 32, dies of a heart attack 40 years ago today (July 29 1974)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Video: 'Death by Excess - Mama Cass'

(Monday, July 29, 1974) — Singer Cass Elliot (born Ellen Naomi Cohen), 32, was found dead today in a London apartment where she was staying. It was rumored that the former Mamas and Papas lead singer choked on a ham sandwich, but a coroner ruled she had suffered a heart attack in her sleep overnight. Continue reading Pop singer Cass Elliot, 32, dies of a heart attack 40 years ago today (July 29 1974) →