Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 13 1954)

1950s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'War in Vietnam : Documentary on the Battle of Dien Bien Phu' (Mar. 13, 1954, at 18:36)

(Saturday, March 13, 1954, 6:15 p.m. local time; during the Cold War) — The Battle of Dien Bien Phu began today during the First Indochina War as communist forces attacked French troops, who were defeated nearly two months later. Continue reading Battle of Dien Bien Phu begins 60 years ago this hour (Mar 13 1954) →

Neighbors ignore cries for help as Catherine ‘Kitty’ Genovese is murdered 50 years ago this hour (Mar 13 1964)

1960s


Video: 'The Bystander Effect:The Death of Kitty Genovese'

(Friday, March 13, 1964, at about 3:15 a.m. EST) — Bar manager Catherine “Kitty” Genovese, 28, was stabbed to death today near her Queens, New York, home. The case generated controversy over the supposed reluctance of Genovese’s neighbors to respond to her cries for help. Genovese’s killer, Winston Moseley, remains in prison.

Lennon ‘riot’ in Hollywood night club 40 years ago this hour (Mar 12 1974)

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

(Tuesday, March 12, 1974, 12:20 a.m. PST) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon got into a fight with a photographer outside a club this morning in Los Angeles. Lennon and Harry Nilsson had been heckling comedian Tommy Smothers and had been thrown out of the club.

Mondale asks Hart ‘Where’s the beef?’ during debate 30 years ago this hour (Mar 11 1984)

1980s


Video: '1984 Democratic debate: "Where's the beef?"'

(Sunday, March 11, 1984, 5-6:30 p.m. EST) — Former Vice President Walter Mondale’s old-line Democratic Party values and Sen. Gary Hart’s “new ideas” collided today in Atlanta in a final, combative face-to-face meeting of the leading candidates before the crucial “Super Tuesday” voting. Continue reading Mondale asks Hart ‘Where’s the beef?’ during debate 30 years ago this hour (Mar 11 1984) →

Army says McCarthy ‘pulled rank’ for aide 60 years ago today (Mar 11 1954)

1950s, Cold War

(Thursday, March 11, 1954; during the Second Red Scare) — The U.S. Army charged today that Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, a Republican from Wisconsin, and his subcommittee’s chief counsel, Roy Cohn, had exerted pressure to obtain favored treatment for Pvt. G. David Schine, a former consultant to the subcommittee. The confrontation culminated in the famous Senate Army-McCarthy hearings.

Lodge scores upset in New Hampshire on big write-in vote 50 years ago this hour (Mar 10 1964)

1960s


Video: 'NH Primary 1964'

(Tuesday, March 10, 1964, 7:18 p.m. EST) — CBS News projected a dramatic political upset tonight for Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, whose name was not even on the ballot, by sweeping the New Hampshire first-in-the-nation Republican presidential primary from Sen. Barry Goldwater. New York Gov. Nelson A Rockefeller was running third.

President Lyndon B. Johnson won the Democratic presidential primary with no viable opposition and was expected to easily win the nomination following his succession to the presidency upon the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

‘Rokeby Venus’ painting slashed by ‘militant’ suffragette 100 years ago today (Mar 10 1914)

1910s


Video: 'Velázquez - Private life of a Masterpiece (BBC Documentary)'

(Friday, March 10, 1914) — The Rokeby Venus, a 17th century painting by Diego Velazquez on display at the National Gallery in London, was slashed multiple times today by Mary Richardson, who was protesting the arrest of fellow suffragist Emmeline Pankhurst. The painting was repaired.

President Lincoln puts General Grant in command of U.S. Army 150 years ago today (Mar 10 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'History Corner Ulysses S Grant'

(Thursday, March 10, 1864; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed an order today assigning Ulysses S. Grant, who had just received his commission as lieutenant-general, to the command of the Armies of the United States. Grant assumed his new command two days later, relieving General-in-Chief Henry Halleck.