Allies launch disasterous raid on Dieppe 70 years ago this hour (1942)

1940s, World War II


Video: Dieppe Raid (at 1:58)

(Wednesday, August 19, 1942, 5 a.m. local time, part of the North West Europe Campaign of World War II) — An Allied force of 7,000 men today carried out a large daytime raid against German positions at the French seaport of Dieppe, suffering more than 50 percent casualties. Continue reading Allies launch disasterous raid on Dieppe 70 years ago this hour (1942) →

Lennon begins rehearsals for ‘One to One’ benefit concerts 40 years ago today (1972)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: Lennon rehearsing (Aug. 18-26, 1972); audio: 'It's So Hard' (probably recorded Aug. 18, 1972)

(Friday, August 18, 1972) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon began rehearsing today at Butterfly Studios in New York City for the “One to One” benefit concerts for children with mental challenges, scheduled for Madison Square Garden on Aug. 30. Continue reading Lennon begins rehearsals for ‘One to One’ benefit concerts 40 years ago today (1972) →

Elvis Presley files for divorce 40 years ago today (1972)

1970s, Elvis Presley


Video: 'elvis presley you always on my mind - marriage & divorce Priscilla Presley'

(Friday, August 18, 1972) — Rock ‘n’ roll star Elvis Presley, 37, filed for divorce today to end his five-years marriage to his wife, Priscilla, 27, whom he met 13 years before while serving in the Army in Germany.

Reagan offers Bush as ‘steady hand’ during GOP convention speech 20 years ago tonight (1992)

1990s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Republican National Convention: President Reagan's Address at the 1992 RNC - 8/17/92'

(Monday, August 17, 1992) — Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, 81, trying to boost the troubled re-election presidential campaign of his former vice president, told the 1992 Republican National Convention at the Astrodome in Houston tonight that America needs George H.W. Bush, “a steady hand on the tiller through the chopper waters of the 90s.”

Buchanan delivers ‘culture war’ speech at Republican Convention 20 years ago tonight (1992)

1990s


Video: 'Pat Buchanan culture war (full speech)'

(Monday, August 17, 1992) — Conservative pundit and presidential candidate Pat Buchanan told the 1992 Republican National Convention tonight that “there is a religious war going on in this country. It is a cultural war, as critical to the kind of nation we shall be as the Cold War itself. For this war is for the soul of America.”

Teen killed by border guards while trying to flee East Germany 50 years ago today (1962)

1960s, Cold War


Video: 'Peter Fechter verblutet in Berlin: 17. August 1962 - Er ruhe jetzt in Frieden'

(Friday, August 17, 1962) — Peter Fechter, 18, was killed by East German border guards today as he attempted to cross the Berlin Wall into West Berlin. Continue reading Teen killed by border guards while trying to flee East Germany 50 years ago today (1962) →

Dakota uprising begins in Minnesota 150 years ago today (1862)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Minnesota Massacre of 1862' (Aug. 17, 1862, at 2:22)

(Sunday, August 17, 1862, part of Sioux Wars and the American Indian Wars) — The Dakota War of 1862, an armed conflict between the United States and several bands of the eastern Sioux (also known as eastern Dakota), began today along the Minnesota River in southwest Minnesota. Continue reading Dakota uprising begins in Minnesota 150 years ago today (1862) →

Angry President Nixon responds to wife’s interview on CBS-TV 40 years ago this hour (1972)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'NIXON TAPES: Mad at Press over Pat Nixon Interview'

(Wednesday, August 16, 1972, 3:58 p.m. EDT) — An annoyed President Richard Nixon telephoned his Chief of Staff H. R. (Bob) Haldeman today from his Camp David mountain retreat about an interview that his wife, First Lady Pat Nixon, recently did on CBS-TV. Continue reading Angry President Nixon responds to wife’s interview on CBS-TV 40 years ago this hour (1972) →