Eisenhower: U. S. policy in Vietnam still in balance 70 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1955)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-3) America's Mandarin (1954-1963)' (Apr. 27, 1955, at 13:37)

(Wednesday, April 27, 1955, 10:31-11:06 a.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — United States policy in South Vietnam’s political crisis is still in the balance, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower indicated today.

He said he could not give “any final answer” to questions about South Vietnam, saying the subject was “still under discussion” with Gen. J. Lawton Collins, U.S. special representative to Saigon.

Americans victorious in Battle of Derne 220 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1805)

1800s


Video: 'Marine Time Machine: Shores of Tripoli, The Battle of Derna'

(Saturday, April 27, 1805, 2:45-4:00 p.m. local time; during the First Barbary War) — An American-led force of Marines and mercenaries today captured the city of Derne, on the shores of Tripoli.

Nazi concentration sub-camps Landsberg, Kaufering liberated 80 years ago today (Apr 27 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'A US soldier talks with liberated prisoners at a Nazi concentration camp in Lands...HD Stock Footage'

(Friday, April 27, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The remaining 3,000 inmates, including 1,400 women, at the Nazi concentration camp Landsberg, a sub-camp of the Dachau concentration camp located in southwest Bavaria, Germany, about 65 kilometers west of Munich, was liberated today by the 12th Armored Division of the United States Army. Continue reading Nazi concentration sub-camps Landsberg, Kaufering liberated 80 years ago today (Apr 27 1945) →

Hundreds of freed Union POWs killed when SS Sultana explodes near Memphis 160 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 27, 1865 at 9:56)

(Thursday, April 27, 1865, 2:00 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — SS Sultana, a Mississippi River side-wheel steamboat exploded this morning in the greatest maritime disaster in United States history. Continue reading Hundreds of freed Union POWs killed when SS Sultana explodes near Memphis 160 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1865) →

North Vietnamese rockets hit Saigon for first time since 1973 ceasefire 50 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 27, 1975, at 30:00)

(Sunday, April 27, 1975, 4:00 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Five rockets dropped into a densely populated Saigon slum today, leaving 5,000 homeless. Continue reading North Vietnamese rockets hit Saigon for first time since 1973 ceasefire 50 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1975) →

Vichy leader Philippe Petain arrested after crossing into France from Switzerland 80 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Marshal Petain’s Fall From Grace | Historical Documentary | Lucasfilm'

(Thursday, April 26, 1945, 8:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — Marshal Henri Philippe Petain, the former head of the collaborationist regime of Vichy France during World War II, was arrested tonight when he returned to French territory after crossing the Swiss frontier at La Ferriere sous Joigne.

General Johnston surrenders 89,270 Confederate soldiers to General Sherman 160 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 26, 1865 at 26:31)

(Wednesday, April 26, 1865, approximately 2:00 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — After three separate days (April 17, 18 and 26, 1865) of negotiations, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered the Army of Tennessee and all remaining Confederate forces still active in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman today at the Bennett Farm in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina. Continue reading General Johnston surrenders 89,270 Confederate soldiers to General Sherman 160 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1865) →

‘(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song’ by B.J. Thomas peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago today (Apr 26 1975)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, April 26, 1975) — “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” by B.J. Thomas peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.