Kerry picks Edwards as running mate 10 years ago today (July 6 2004)


Video: 'Vice President Announcement'

(Tuesday, July 6, 2004) — Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John F. Kerry tapped freshman Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina as his running mate today, calling his one-time rival for the Democratic nomination a politician of passion, middle-class values and clear conviction who can help the party “bring back our mighty dream” of a better America by ousting President Bush.

168 people killed in Hartford circus fire 70 years ago this hour (July 6 1944)


Video: 'Hartford Circus Fire book trailer Final Edit'

(Thursday, July 6, 1944, at about 2:00 p.m. EWT) — An estimated 168 people died today in a fire that broke out during a performance in the main tent of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford, Connecticut. Among the survivors was future actor Charles Nelson Reilly, then age 13.

The Beach Boys return to National Mall one year after ban 30 years ago today (July 4 1984)


Video: 'Beach Boys - 4th Of July 1984'

(Wednesday, July 4, 1984) — Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr played drums today for The Beach Boys, who celebrated the 4th of July today by performing in front of a crowd of 750,000 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., one year after being banned for attracting “the wrong element” by then-Secretary of Interior James Watt. Continue reading The Beach Boys return to National Mall one year after ban 30 years ago today (July 4 1984)

U.S. Marine on Saipan describes ‘ugly, rotten, dirty business’ 70 years ago today (July 4 1944)


Video: 'Documentary World War 2 II in Colour The Second World War color' (July 4, 1944, at 1:27:14)

(Tuesday, July 4, 1944; during the Battle of Saipan, part of World War IIPacific War) — A U.S. Marine fighting the Japanese for control of Saipan wrote home today, describing the “unforgettable experience” as an “ugly, rotten, dirty business.”

Nixon, Brezhnev sign treaty limiting size of underground nuclear weapons tests 40 years ago today (July 3 1974)


Image: U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (L) joins President Richard Nixon and Russian leaders in a toast after the signing of agreements at the Kremlin on July 3, 1974 following a seven-day summit.

(Wednesday, July 3, 1974; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a treaty today in Moscow limiting the size of underground nuclear weapons tests. Nixon then flew back to the U.S., landing at a small air force base in Maine and gave the nation a report on his foreign travels (click here for video at 2:35:53).

Soviets liberate Minsk during Operation Bagration 70 years ago today (July 3 1944)


Video: 'Soviet Storm: World War II — In The East. ep. 11. Operation Bagration. StarMedia. 2011' (July 3, 1944, at 23:37)

(Monday, July 3, 1944; during Operation Bagration, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — Soviet forces recaptured Minsk from the Germans today.

Kennedy sworn-in as first chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission 80 years ago today (July 2 1934)


Image: '"KENNEDYS DON'T CRY" (1975)' (July 2, 1934, at 8:22)

(Monday, July 2, 1934; during the Great Depression) — Appointed by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., was sworn-in today as chairman of the new Securities and Exchange Commission, charged with regulating the manipulation of stock prices that Kennedy had mastered decades earlier.

Bretton Woods Conference to insure post-war financial order opens 70 years ago today (July 1 1944)


Video: '1944 Bretton Woods International Monetary Conference'

(Saturday, July 1, 1944; during World War II) — Delegates from 44 countries began meeting at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, today where they agreed to establish the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

1904 Summer Olympics open in St. Louis 110 years ago today (July 1 1904)


Video: '1904 Olympics History Day Project'

(Friday, July 1, 1904) — The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, opened today in St. Louis, Missouri, with 651 athletes participating. Continue reading 1904 Summer Olympics open in St. Louis 110 years ago today (July 1 1904)