Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan resigns over President Wilson’s response to Lusitania sinking 110 years ago this hour (June 8 1915)

1910s, U.S. Presidents, World War I

(Tuesday, June 8, 1915, shortly after 3:00 p.m. EST; during World War I) — William Jennings Bryan, three times Democratic nominee for the presidency and author of nearly thirty peace treaties with the principal nations of the world, resigned today (effective June 9, 1915) as U.S. Secretary of State over what he viewed as President Woodrow Wilson’s overly bellicose attitude toward Germany following the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. Continue reading Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan resigns over President Wilson’s response to Lusitania sinking 110 years ago this hour (June 8 1915) →

‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ by Tears for Fears peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (June 8 1985)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, June 8, 1985) — “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two consecutive weeks (June 8/15, 1985). Continue reading ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ by Tears for Fears peaks at #1 in USA 40 years ago today (June 8 1985) →

Downed U.S. pilot rescued in Bosnia in daring raid 30 years ago this hour (June 8 1995)

1990s


Video: 'Situation Critical - S01E05 - Downed Pilot' (rescue at 42:30)

(Thursday, June 8, 1995, 6:44 a.m. CEST; during Operation Deny Flight, part of the NATO intervention in Bosnia) — United States marines staged an audacious rescue mission into the Bosnian war zone after dawn today, snatching up a missing American fighter pilot from his hiding place in the woods and helicoptering him to safety through a smattering of Bosnian Serb missile and machine-gun fire. Continue reading Downed U.S. pilot rescued in Bosnia in daring raid 30 years ago this hour (June 8 1995) →

‘The $64,000 Question’ quiz show premieres on CBS-TV 70 years ago this hour (June 7 1955)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: '$64,000 Question - 1955 episode with Dr. Joyce Brothers'

(Tuesday, June 7, 1955, 10:00 p.m. EDT) — The television version of the quiz show The $64,000 Question premiered tonight on CBS, sponsored by cosmetics maker Revlon and originating live from CBS-TV Studio 52 in New York (later the disco-theater Studio 54). Continue reading ‘The $64,000 Question’ quiz show premieres on CBS-TV 70 years ago this hour (June 7 1955) →

‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ by John Denver peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (June 7 1975)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, June 7, 1975) — “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” by John Denver peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’ by John Denver peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (June 7 1975) →

‘The Goonies’ adventure comedy film released in North America 40 years ago this hour (June 7 1985)

1980s, Movies 1980s


Video: 'The Goonies' trailer

(Friday, June 7, 1985, 11:00 a.m. EDT) — The Goonies, an adventure comedy film about a band of young boys who find a treasure map and embark on a magical adventure, was released today in North America, opening at 11 a.m. EDT at three theaters in Manhattan, including the Criterion Center at Broadway and 45th Street in Times Square. Continue reading ‘The Goonies’ adventure comedy film released in North America 40 years ago this hour (June 7 1985) →

Supreme Court establishes new constitutional ‘right of privacy’ 60 years ago today (June 7 1965)

1960s


Video: 'How Birth Control Became Legal | Griswold v. Connecticut'

(Monday, June 7, 1965) — The U.S. Supreme Court, in Griswold v. Connecticut, recognized a constitutional right to privacy as it struck down, 7-2, a Connecticut law used to prosecute a Planned Parenthood clinic in New Haven for providing contraceptives to married couples.

Herman’s Hermits perform on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 60 years ago this hour (June 6 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'Herman's Hermits "Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter" on The Ed Sullivan Show'

(Sunday, June 6, 1965, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT) — Herman’s Hermits performed “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry The VIII, I Am” and “Wonderful World” tonight on the live CBS television variety series The Ed Sullivan Show from CBS Studio No. 50 in New York City. Continue reading Herman’s Hermits perform on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 60 years ago this hour (June 6 1965) →