Tripoli falls to British 8th Army as it pursues Rommel into Tunisia 70 years ago this hour (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: Jan. 23, 1943 (at 7:52)

(Saturday, January 23, 1943, 5 a.m. local time; part of the Western Desert Campaign of World War II) — The conquering British Eighth army wrested Tripoli from the Axis today and the conquest of Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini’s African empire, which British Prime Minister Winston Churchill pledged in 1940 would be torn “to shreds and tatters,” was all but complete. Continue reading Tripoli falls to British 8th Army as it pursues Rommel into Tunisia 70 years ago this hour (1943) →

Thieu angered by interruption at daughter’s wedding 40 years ago today (1973)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: Thieu wedding interrupted (at 9:27)

(Friday, January 19, 1973; during the Vietnam War) — South Vietnamese President Thieu became angry today when Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker demanded to see him just as Thieu gave his daughter away in a wedding. Bunker wanted to communicate the latest letter from U.S. President Richard Nixon pressuring Thieu to agree to a peace agreement.

The Rolling Stones perform benefit concert for earthquake victims in Nicaragua 40 years ago today (1973)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Video: 'Rolling Stones - Live 1973 - Los Angeles' (click here for set list)

(Thursday, January 18, 1973; during The Rolling Stones Pacific Tour 1973) — The Rolling Stones held a benefit concert at the The Forum in Los Angeles today for victims of the Dec. 23, 1972, massive earthquake in Nicaragua. Mick Jagger’s wife Bianca had relatives in Nicaragua. The concert raised more than $400,000.

‘20 Greatest Hits’ by The Beatles peaks at #50 in USA 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'Love Me Do'

(Saturday, January 15, 1983) — 20 Greatest Hits, a compilation album featuring a selection of songs by The Beatles, released to mark the 20th anniversary of The Beatles’ first record release Love Me Do in the UK in 1962, peaked at #50 on today’s Billboard 200 albums chart for two weeks.

Four more plead guilty to Watergate bugging charges 40 years ago today (1973)

1970s, Watergate


Video: Jan. 15, 1973 (at 13:30)

(Monday, January 15, 1973; during the Watergate scandal) — Four of the six remaining defendants in the Watergate trial pleaded guilty to all charges today, leaving only G. Gordon Liddy and James W. McCord, Jr. still standing trial for conspiracy, burglary and illegal eavesdropping of Democratic national headquarters in June 1972.

Kennedy requests $13.5 billion in tax cuts in State of the Union message 50 years ago this hour (1963)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'January 14, 1963 - John F. Kennedy's State of the Union address in color'

(Monday, January 14, 1963, 12:30 p.m. EST) — In a State of the Union message notable for its tone of confidence in the nation’s domestic and foreign prospects, U.S. President John F. Kennedy called today for a three-year program of tax reduction totaling $13.5 billion. Continue reading Kennedy requests $13.5 billion in tax cuts in State of the Union message 50 years ago this hour (1963) →

Eric Clapton celebrates comeback from drug addiction with concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre 40 years ago today (1973)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Video: 'Eric Clapton-Pete Townshend-Live Rainbow Concert 1973-FULL CONCERT'

(Saturday, January 13, 1973) — Eric Clapton made a comeback from drug addiction today when he performed at the Rainbow Theatre in London. His backing band included Pete Townshend, Ron Wood and Steve Winwood.

Anne Frank writes about the suffering outside her hiding place 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'The Diary of ANNE FRANK (Part Two) - 06/17' (Jan. 13, 1943, at 0:15)

(Wednesday, January 13, 1943; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — On Anne Frank’s 192nd day in hiding in a secret apartment behind her father’s business in German-occupied Amsterdam, the 13-year-old girl described today in her diary the suffering of people outside and considers how selfish the members of the Secret Annex are to talk about what they will do or buy “after the war.”

McCartney filmed performing ‘Twenty Flight Rock’ 20 years ago today (1993)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s, The Beatles 1990s


Video: 'Paul McCartney Movin' On Documentary' (Jan. 12, 1993, at 31:51/33:30/50:14/55:25)

(Tuesday, January 12, 1993) — Paul McCartney and his band were filmed today performing “Twenty Flight Rock,” “Get Out of My Way” and “Biker Like an Icon” at Pinewood Studios near London for the documentary Movin’ On.

Soviets launch Operation Iskra against Germans at Leningrad 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Red Star The Soviet Union 4/5' (Jan. 12, 1942, at 0:20)

(Tuesday, January 12, 1943, 9:30 a.m. local time; part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — The Russians launched Operation Iskra today as the Soviet 67th Army began its final assault on the German occupation of Leningrad.