Bob Dylan walks off ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ set in censorship dispute 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


(Sunday, May 12, 1963) — Bob Dylan walked off the set of the variety TV program The Ed Sullivan Show this afternoon because CBS would not allow him to sing “Talking John Birch Society Blues” on tonight’s show. Continue reading Bob Dylan walks off ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ set in censorship dispute 50 years ago today (1963) →

Roosevelt, Churchill open Trident Conference in Washington 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II


(Wednesday, May 12, 1943, during World War II)— The two-week Trident Conference, headed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, opened today in Washington. The plans for the Italian Campaign, air attacks on Nazi Germany and the Pacific War would be agreed upon during the next two weeks.

Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Agricultural Adjustment Administration created to help needy, farmers 80 years ago today (1933)

1930s


(Friday, May 12, 1933; part of the New Deal in response to the Great Depression) — The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) was signed into law today by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, giving the federal government the power to raise farm prices and to provide relief on farm mortgage foreclosures. Also known as the “Wagner Act”, the bill provided $500 million for farm relief.

Signed on the same day was the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), which would eventually spend four billion dollars to create job programs for unemployed U.S. workers.

Betty Miller becomes first woman to fly solo across Pacific Ocean 50 years ago this hour (1963)

1960s


(Sunday, May 12, 1963, 10:20 p.m. local time) — Pilot Betty Miller, 36, became the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean today as she landed her Piper Apache in Brisbane, Australia, having left Oakland, Calif., on April 30, making three stopovers along the way.

Tornado claims 114 lives in Waco, Texas 60 years ago this hour (1953)

1950s


Video: 'Weather History: 1953 Waco Tornado'

(Monday, May 11, 1953, 4:36 p.m. CDT) — A tornado devastated Waco, Texas, today, claiming 114 lives. Over half the dead, 61, were in a single city block bounded by 4th and 5th streets and Austin and Franklin avenues. 597 additional people were injured and the tornado caused up to $41.2 million in property damage.

Paul McCartney performs outside Rome’s Colosseum 10 years ago this hour (2003)

2000s, Popular Music 2000s, The Beatles 2000s


Video: 'Paul McCartney - Concert Outside The Colosseum - Rome May 11 2003 (Part 1 of 5 - Full DVD)'

(Sunday, May 11, 2003, 9:15 p.m. Central European Summer Time) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney performed tonight outside the 2,000-year-old Colosseum in Rome, the 14th stop and 24th performance of his Back in the World tour. Continue reading Paul McCartney performs outside Rome’s Colosseum 10 years ago this hour (2003) →

Judge clears Ellsberg, Russo in Pentagon Papers case 40 years ago today (1973)

1970s, Watergate


Video: 'Daniel Ellsberg Exposes the US Government (Pentagon Papers Documentry)' (parts 1-8)

(Friday, May 11, 1973; during the Watergate scandal) — The espionage trial of Daniel Ellsberg and Anthony Russo in the “Pentagon Papers” case came to an end today as Judge William M. Byrne dismissed all charges, citing government misconduct.

Paul McCartney performs inside Rome’s Colosseum 10 years ago this hour (2003)

2000s, Popular Music 2000s, The Beatles 2000s


Video: 'Paul McCartney - Live At Coliseum, Rome, Italy - May 10, 2003 {Documentary}' ('Paul McCartney al Colosseo,' shot May 10-11, 2003, aired May 21)

(Saturday, May 10, 2003, around 10:30 p.m. Central European Summer Time) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney performed a benefit concert in front of 400 fans tonight inside the 2,000-year-old Colosseum in Rome, the 14th stop and 23rd performance of his Back in the World tour. Continue reading Paul McCartney performs inside Rome’s Colosseum 10 years ago this hour (2003) →

Confederate General ‘Stonewall’ Jackson dies from friendly fire wounds 150 years ago this hour (1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Stonewall Jackson'

(Sunday, May 10, 1863, 3:15 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — Confederate Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, 39, died today in Fredericksburg, Virginia, of pneumonia, a complication resulting from being hit by friendly fire eight days earlier during the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia.