Kennedy visits great-grandfather’s home in Ireland 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'June 27, 1963 - President John F. Kennedy presented with old Irish Silver and New Ross Lace'

(Thursday, June 27, 1963) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy spent the first full day of a visit to Ireland, the land of his ancestors, stopping by the County Wexford home of his great-grandfather, Patrick Kennedy, who’d emigrated to America in 1848. Kennedy was hosted by his third cousin, widow Mary Ann Ryan (click here for more videos from this day). Continue reading Kennedy visits great-grandfather’s home in Ireland 50 years ago today (1963) →

‘Sleepless in Seattle’ released in U.S. 20 years ago today (1993)

1990s, movies 1990s


Video: 'Sleepless in Seattle' trailer

(Friday, June 25, 1993) — Sleepless in Seattle, a romantic comedy film about a motherless boy who uses a radio talk show to find a new wife for his father, opened today in the U.S.

Directed by Nora Ephron, the film starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Brezhnev expresses hope in television address to American 40 years ago this hour (1973)

1970s, Cold War

(Sunday, June 24, 1973, 6 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon concluded his summit with the visiting leader of the Soviet Union, Leonid Brezhnev, who hailed the talks in an address on American television.

Shuttle carrying first American woman in space lands safely 30 years ago this hour (1983)

1980s, space exploration


Video: 'Space Shuttle Challenger - STS-7 Landing'

(Friday, June 24, 1983, 6:57 a.m. PDT) — The space shuttle Challenger — carrying America’s first woman in space, Sally K. Ride — coasted to a safe landing today at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The Bee Gees, Wilson Pickett perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, Television 1970s


Video: 'Bee Gees - Message To You (1973) Live!'

(Saturday, June 23, 1973, 1:00 a.m. EST) — The Bee Gees and Wilson Pickett were among the performers on tonight’s episode of the late-night musical variety NBC-TV series The Midnight Special as hosted again tonight by the Bee Gees. Continue reading The Bee Gees, Wilson Pickett perform on ‘Midnight Special’ 40 years ago this hour (1973) →

John Lennon makes solo appearance on ‘Juke Box Jury’ 50 years ago this hour (1963)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s, The Beatles 1960s



Audio: 'The Beatles - Juke Box Jury (29th June 1963)'

(Saturday, June 22, 1963, 8:30-9:15 p.m. BST) — John Lennon appeared without the other Beatles tonight on the BBC television show Juke Box Jury for broadcast on June 29, 1963, at 6:35 p.m. (only some of the audio survives).

Former First Lady Pat Nixon dies 20 years ago this hour (1993)

1990s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Mini BIO - Pat Nixon'

(Tuesday, June 22, 1993, 5:45 a.m. EDT) — Former U.S. First Lady Patricia Nixon, who served with her husband President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1974, died at her home in Park Ridge, New Jersey, today, the day after her 53rd wedding anniversary. She was 81. Her daughters and husband were by her side.

Montini chosen as pontiff, Pope Paul VI 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s


Video: 'elezione Papa Paolo VI (1963)'

(Friday, June 21, 1963) — Giovanni Battista Montini, the Archbishop of Milan was elected today as the 262nd pope, succeeding the late Pope John XXIII, who died June 3, 1963. Cardinal Montini would take the regnal name Pope Paul VI and would lead the Roman Catholic Church until his death in 1978.