Sara Roosevelt, FDR’s mother, dies 70 years ago this hour

1940s, U.S. Presidents


(click here to watch the full program, with Sara Roosevelt's death @ 3:11:05)

(Sunday, September 7, 1941, 12:15 p.m. EDT)— Sara Roosevelt, the 86-year-old mother of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, died today at her home in Hyde Park, New York, following an acute circulatory collapse late last evening.

General Grant captures Paducah, Kentucky, 150 years ago today

1860s, American Civil War


"The Civil War - Episode One: The Cause (1861)"

(Friday, September 6, 1861) — Forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant today bloodlessly captured Paducah, Kentucky, which gave the Union control the mouth of the Tennessee River during the American Civil War.

‘Body Heat’ opens in U.S. theaters 30 years ago today

1980s, Movies 1980s

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXHTAHXFdLY
Trailer: Body Heat 1981

(Friday, August 28, 1981) — Body Heat, a neo-noir film written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan, opened today in the U.S. Starring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna, Ted Danson, J.A. Preston, and Mickey Rourke, the plot is heavily inspired by “Double Indemnity.”

‘An American in Paris’ premieres in London 60 years ago today

1950s, Movies 1950s

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiiaJRXPAm4
An American in Paris (1951) Trailer

(Sunday, August 26, 1951) — An American in Paris, a MGM musical film inspired by the 1928 orchestral composition by George Gershwin, premiered tonight in London. Starring Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Georges Guetary and Oscar Levant, the film is set in Paris, and was directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Coup attempt against Gorbachev collapses 20 years ago today

1990s, Cold War


1991 Soviet Coup 2of3

(Wednesday, August 21, 1991)— Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev was said to be back in power today and returning to Moscow as the right-wing coup against him collapsed and its leaders reportedly fled. Continue reading Coup attempt against Gorbachev collapses 20 years ago today →

Resistance to Soviet takeover grows 20 years ago today

1990s, Cold War

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS66DJCXsaw
Tanks on the Moscow Streets - Vremya, TV program (August 20, 1991)

(Tuesday, August 20, 1991) — The leaders of the Kremlin coup, facing increased opposition, responded today with a curfew. This was understood as a sign that an attack on the White House, a government building in Moscow, was imminent.

Eleanor Roosevelt writes about husband’s illness 90 years ago today

1920s, U.S. Presidents


(click here to watch the full program, with August 14, 1921 @ 53:59)

(Sunday, August 14, 1921)— Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, writes about her husband’s illness in a letter. Franklin had developed acute symptoms of poliomyelitis four days before while visiting his summer home on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada.

‘A Place in the Sun’ premieres in Los Angeles 60 years ago today

1950s, Movies 1950s

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fm6sa_L5_4
'A Place In The Sun' - Trailer [1951]

(Tuesday, August 14, 1951) — A Place in the Sun, a film which tells the story of a working-class young man who is entangled with two women, premiered tonight in Los Angeles. It was directed by George Stevens and stars Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Shelley Winters, Anne Revere, and Raymond Burr.

Connery films final scene as official James Bond 007 40 years ago today

1970s, James Bond, Movies 1970s

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uEN1fEL4jg
Cremation Escape

(Friday, August 13, 1971) — Actor Sean Connery today filmed his final scenes for Diamonds Are Forever, the seventh “official” James Bond film. Ironically, the last shots were of Connery being placed in a coffin (he would not return to the role of 007 until the “unofficial” Never Say Never Again in 1983).