South Vietnamese President Thieu turns down peace proposal 40 years ago today (1972)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: October 22, 1972 (6:51)

(Sunday, October 22, 1972, during the Vietnam War) — In Saigon, U.S. National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger and South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu met today to discuss a proposed cease-fire in the Vietnam War, already discussed between Americans and North Vietnamese in Paris. Continue reading South Vietnamese President Thieu turns down peace proposal 40 years ago today (1972) →

‘Now, Voyager’ opens in New York 70 years ago today (1942)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'Now, Voyager' (trailer)

(Thursday, October 22, 1942) — Now, Voyager, a drama film about a repressed spinster who is transformed by psychiatry and her love for a married man, opened today in New York.

Directed by Irving Rapper, the film stars Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains and Gladys Cooper.

End of ‘Sacrifice and torture’ in Stalingrad ‘nowhere in sight’ 70 years ago today (1942)

1940s, World War II


Video: October 22, 1942 (at 4:07)

(Thursday, October 22, 1942, during the Battle of Stalingrad, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — Wilhelm Hoffman, a soldier in the 267th Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division of the German 6th Army who chronicled the Battle of Stalingrad in his journal, wrote today:

“Who would have thought three months ago that instead of the joy of victory we would have to endure such sacrifice and torture, the end of which is nowhere in sight?…The soldiers are calling Stalingrad the mass grave of the Wehrmacht.”

Seattle World’s Fair closes 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Seattle World's Fair: "Century 21 Calling" 1962 American Telephone & Telegraph ( AT&T )'

(Sunday, October 21, 1962) — The Century 21 Exposition (also known as the Seattle World’s Fair) closed today after six months and nearly 10 million visitors. President John F. Kennedy was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony, but canceled because of what was described as a “head cold.” The actual reason turned out to be the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Kennedy asks newspaper editors to sit on story confirming Soviet missiles in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: October 21, 1962 (at 0:22)

(Sunday, October 21, 1962, day six of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy telephoned newspaper editors-in-chief at The New York Times and The Washington Post to ask the editors to refrain from printing any stories of the impending military actions related to the discovery of deployed Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba until after his national address the following day, by which time the American fleet was in position to enforce a blockade. Continue reading Kennedy asks newspaper editors to sit on story confirming Soviet missiles in Cuba 50 years ago today (1962) →

St. Louis Cardinals win World Series 30 years ago today (1982)

1980s, World Series


Video: '1982 World Series game seven ninth inning audio'

(Wednesday, October 20, 1982) — The St. Louis Cardinals won the 1982 World Series today, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 6-3 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, in the seventh and deciding game. It was the Cardinals’ nine World Series title. Continue reading St. Louis Cardinals win World Series 30 years ago today (1982) →

Kennedy, advisers decide to quarantine Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: October 20, 1962 (at 0:00)

(Saturday, October 20, 1962, day five of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy, in Chicago campaigning for congressional candidates, decides to return to the White House as the crisis reaches a new urgency. After five hours of discussion with top advisors, a quarantine is decided upon. Continue reading Kennedy, advisers decide to quarantine Cuba 50 years ago today (1962) →

Kennedy advisers debate whether to bomb, invade and/or blockade Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: October 19, 1962 (at 8:08)

(Friday, October 19, 1962, day four of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy met today with the Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss the military options for responding to the missiles in Cuba. Continue reading Kennedy advisers debate whether to bomb, invade and/or blockade Cuba 50 years ago today (1962) →

‘The Girl Is Mine’ by Michael Jackson featuring Paul McCartney released 30 years ago today (1982)

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

(Monday, October 18, 1982) — The Girl Is Mine by Michael Jackson featuring Paul McCartney, the first single from Jackson’s upcoming (sixth solo) album Thriller (released Nov. 30, 1982), was released today in the U.S. (Oct 29, 1982 in the UK).