‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)’ by Four Tops peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (June 19 1965)

(Saturday, June 19, 1965) — “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by the Four Tops peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two non-consecutive weeks (June 19, July 3, 1965). Continue reading ‘I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)’ by Four Tops peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (June 19 1965)

‘Juneteenth’: All remaining slaves in Texas are declared freed 160 years ago today (June 19 1865)


Video: '19th June 1865: Juneteenth established when enslaved people in Galveston informed of emancipation'

(Monday, June 19, 1865) — Union troops commanded by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger having arrived yesterday in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War was over, declared today that all remaining slaves in Texas were free, an event celebrated annually as “Juneteenth.”

Millions cheer Eisenhower in New York City 80 years ago this hour (June 19 1945)


Video: 'Eisenhower Honored In New York 220469-29.mp4'

(Tuesday, June 19, 1945, Eisenhower steps off his plane at La Guardia Field at 10:17 a.m. EDT; during World War II) — Millions of New Yorkers turned out today to cheer Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was honored with a parade.

Ky becomes premier in Saigon, pledges fuller mobilization 60 years ago today (June 19 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam Documentary: LBJ Goes to War' (June 19, 1965, at 38:22)

(Saturday, June 19, 1965; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Air Marshall Nguyen Cao Ky was appointed today by the military junta as prime minister. With Nguyen Van Thieu as president and Ky as prime minister, the revolving door of rulers that had prevailed in South Vietnam since the overthrow of Ngo Dình Diem in November 1963 ended.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (June 18, 1945, at 19:27)

(Monday, June 18, 1945, 3:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — President Harry S. Truman met with military representatives today to discuss how the war against Japan should proceed. Truman decided to have the Joint Chiefs of Staff go ahead with plans to invade Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands on Nov. 1, 1945. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

John Lennon appears live on ‘Tonight’ to promote new book 60 years ago this hour (June 18 1965)


Video: 'John Lennon reads from and talks about "A Spaniard In The Works"'

(Friday, June 18, 1965, 7:00-7:35 p.m. BST) –John Lennon of The Beatles appeared live tonight from Lime Grove Studios in London on the BBC television show Tonight reading extracts from his forthcoming second book A Spaniard In The Works.

Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)


Video: '"America's Welcome To General Ike"

(Monday, June 18, 1945, Eisenhower’s plane landed at 11:11 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower received a tumultuous welcome today in Washington D.C., where he addressed a joint session of Congress. Continue reading Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

‘Lord Haw-Haw’ Nazi propagandist charged with treason 80 years ago today (June 18 1945)


Video: 'Lord Haw-Haw Documentary (William Joyce) - Great Crimes - British, Traitor, Hanged.'

(Monday, June 18, 1945; during World War II) — William Joyce (known as “Lord Haw-Haw”), an American-born Irish-British Fascist politician, was charged today in London with high treason for his English-language wartime broadcasts on German radio.

B-52 aircraft used for the first time in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (June 18 1965)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-6) America's Enemy (1954-1967)' (June 18, 1965, at 44:10)

(Friday, June 18, 1965, 1965, 6:48 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Under Operation Arc Light, B-52 aircraft were used for the first time today in the Vietnam War. Continue reading B-52 aircraft used for the first time in Vietnam 60 years ago this hour (June 18 1965)

Battle of Bunker Hill proves costly victory for British in Revolutionary War 250 years ago this hour (June 17 1775)


Video: 'The Revolution: Battle at Bunker Hill Escalates the War (S1, E2) | Full Episode'

(Wednesday, June 14, 1775; during the American Revolutionary War, part of the American Revolution) — British forces captured the Charlestown Peninsula today in one of the bloodiest engagements of the American Revolutionary War to date, suffering heavy casualties while seizing fortified colonial positions during the Battle of Bunker Hill. Continue reading Battle of Bunker Hill proves costly victory for British in Revolutionary War 250 years ago this hour (June 17 1775)