Otto Frank confirms his daughters Margot, Anne are dead 80 years ago today (July 18 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Anne Frank (The Whole Story)' (July 18, 1945, at 2:53:02)

(Wednesday, July 18, 1945; during World War II) — Otto Frank, who had returned to Amsterdam on June 3, 1945, having been liberated Jan. 27, 1945, at the Auschwitz concentration camp, confirmed today (via a Red Cross list, then confirmation from Lin Brilleslijper, a fellow inmate of the Frank girls at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp) that his daughters, Margot and Anne, had died in the Holocaust some time . Continue reading Otto Frank confirms his daughters Margot, Anne are dead 80 years ago today (July 18 1945) →

Hitler publishes first volume of ‘Mein Kampf’ 100 years ago today (July 18 1925)

1920s


Video: 'Mein Kampf: An Autopsy Of The Nazi Mind'

(Saturday, July 18, 1925) — The first volume of Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”), an autobiographical manifesto by National Socialist leader Adolf Hitler in which he outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany was published today. Continue reading Hitler publishes first volume of ‘Mein Kampf’ 100 years ago today (July 18 1925) →

British return Fort Mackinac to United States 210 years ago today (July 18 1815)

1810s


Video: 'The War of 1812' (July 18, 1815 at 1:48:56)

(Tuesday, July 18, 1815) — Five months after the Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812, the British peacefully turned over Fort Mackinac today to American Colonel Anthony Butler, then left for Drummond Island.

Big Four present peace plans at Geneva 70 years ago this hour (July 18 1955)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Big 4 at Geneva Summit; Miss Universe Parade 1955/7/18'

(Monday, July 18, 1955, first meeting began at 10:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin, British Prime Minister Anthony Eden and French Premier Edgar Faure met for a summit today in Geneva to begin discussions on peace.

Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California during live TV special 70 years ago this hour (July 17 1955)

1950s, Television 1950s


Video: '1955 Disneyland Opening Day [Complete ABC Broadcast]'

(Sunday, July 17, 1955, 4:30 p.m. PDT) — The theme park Disneyland was dedicated today in Anaheim, California, during a nationally televised “International Press Preview” event on ABC-TV anchored by Art Linkletter, Bob Cummings and Ronald Reagan.

U.S., Soviet astronauts unite ships, join in historic handshakes 50 years ago this hour (July 17 1975)

1970s, space exploration


Video: 'APOLLO-SOYUZ: Crew Handshakes and Enters Soyuz - TV and Film from Apollo & Soyuz (1975/07/17)'

(Thursday, July 17, 1975, 3:19 p.m. EDT) — Astronauts of the United States and the Soviet Union united spaceships today and then Apollo commander Tom Stafford and Soyuz commander Alexei Leonov joined hands in the first international meeting away from earth, a symbolic gesture of the two nations’ expressed desire to cooperate in the exploration of space. Continue reading U.S., Soviet astronauts unite ships, join in historic handshakes 50 years ago this hour (July 17 1975) →

‘Here Comes the Night’ by Them peaks at #24 in USA 60 years ago today (July 17 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s

(Saturday, July 17, 1965) — “Here Comes the Night” by Them peaked at #24 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Here Comes the Night’ by Them peaks at #24 in USA 60 years ago today (July 17 1965) →

‘Unchained Melody’ single by The Righteous Brothers released in USA 60 years ago today (July 17 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody (High Quality)'

(Saturday, July 17, 1965) — The single “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers was released today in the U.S. on the Phillies label. Continue reading ‘Unchained Melody’ single by The Righteous Brothers released in USA 60 years ago today (July 17 1965) →

Potsdam Conference of Truman, Churchill and Stalin called to order 80 years ago this hour (July 17 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Berlin including Churchill, Stalin and Truman at Potsdam Conference - 1945' (Potsdam Conference begins at 6:45)

(Tuesday, July 17, 1945, 5:10 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — The Potsdam Conference, convened to decide how to administer punishment to the defeated Nazi Germany and plan the final stages of the Pacific Theater of World War II, was called to order this afternoon at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern, in Potsdam, occupied Germany (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:57:58). Continue reading Potsdam Conference of Truman, Churchill and Stalin called to order 80 years ago this hour (July 17 1945) →