Cuban Missile Crisis begins as U.S. President John F. Kennedy is informed that reconnaissance photographs reveal the presence of nuclear missile bases in Cuba 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1962)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Shall we wipe Cuba off the Map? | The Cuban Missile Crisis I Day 01' (October 16, 1962 at 0:23)

(Tuesday, October 16, 1962, 8:45 a.m. EDT; during the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — The Cuban Missile Crisis, a confrontation between between the United States and the Soviet Union that is often considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war, began this morning when National Security Adviser McGeorge Bundy informed U.S. President John F. Kennedy that a U-2 mission flown over western Cuba two days before had taken photographs of (not yet operational) Soviet nuclear missile sites. Continue reading Cuban Missile Crisis begins as U.S. President John F. Kennedy is informed that reconnaissance photographs reveal the presence of nuclear missile bases in Cuba 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1962) →

Bill Clinton connects, President George H.W. Bush checks watch during ‘town hall’ debate in Richmond, Virginia 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1992)

1990s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Bush, Clinton, Perot: The second 1992 presidential debate'

(Thursday, October 15, 1992, 9:00-10:30 p.m. EDT; during the 1992 United States presidential election campaign) — The top three presidential candidates competing in the general election fielded questions from uncommitted voters tonight on the campus of the University of Richmond in a civilized, issue-rich “town hall” debate that ranged from taxes to crime and character. Continue reading Bill Clinton connects, President George H.W. Bush checks watch during ‘town hall’ debate in Richmond, Virginia 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1992) →

Former President Theodore Roosevelt shot while campaigning for a third term 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1912)

1910s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'How Teddy Roosevelt Got Shot and Still Did an 84 Minute Speech'

(Monday, October 14, 1912, shortly before 8 p.m. CST; during the 1912 United States presidential election campaign) — Former President Theodore Roosevelt, running for a third term as presidential nominee of the Progressive Party, was shot and wounded in the right breast tonight in the right breast in front of the Hotel Gilpatrick. Continue reading Former President Theodore Roosevelt shot while campaigning for a third term 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1912) →

‘Ben’ by Michael Jackson peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1972)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, October 14, 1972) — “Ben” by Michael Jackson peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Ben’ by Michael Jackson peaks at #1 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1972) →

‘Use Me’ by Bill Withers peaks at #2 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1972)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, October 14, 1972) — “Use Me” by Bill Withers peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Use Me’ by Bill Withers peaks at #2 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1972) →

‘Everybody Plays the Fool’ by The Main Ingredient peaks at #3 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1972)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s

(Saturday, October 14, 1972) — “Everybody Plays the Fool” by The Main Ingredient peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Everybody Plays the Fool’ by The Main Ingredient peaks at #3 in USA 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1972) →

Gore and Quayle exchange sharp attacks in vice presidential debate in Atlanta 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1992)

1990s


Video: 'Gore, Quayle, Stockdale: The 1992 vice presidential debate'

(Tuesday, October 13, 1992, 7:00-8:30 p.m. EDT; during the 1992 United States presidential election campaign) — In a debate marked by intensely personal exchanges, Senator Al Gore and Vice President Dan Quayle delivered some of the campaign’s strongest blasts tonight at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, each asserting that the opposing presidential candidate did not deserve to lead the nation for the next four years. Continue reading Gore and Quayle exchange sharp attacks in vice presidential debate in Atlanta 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1992) →

Chartered flight with 45 people aboard crashes in Andes mountains 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1972) – survivors will resort to cannibalism

1970s


Video: 'Rugby Team Crash Lands On Andes And Faces The Unthinkable Taboo | Trapped | Wonder'

(Friday, October 13, 1972, 3:34 p.m. Argentina Time) — Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 carrying 45 people, including the “Old Christians” rugby team flying from Montevideo to Santiago, crashed today in the Andes mountains; 16 survivors would resort to feeding off the remains of some of the dead in order to stay alive until they were rescued more than two months later. Continue reading Chartered flight with 45 people aboard crashes in Andes mountains 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1972) – survivors will resort to cannibalism →

‘I Remember You’ by Frank Ifield peaks at #5 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1962)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s

(Saturday, October 13, 1962) — “I Remember You” by Australian singer Frank Ifield peaked at #5 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘I Remember You’ by Frank Ifield peaks at #5 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1962) →

Cornerstone of the White House is laid by President George Washington 230 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1792)

1790s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '13th October 1792: Cornerstone of the White House laid in Washington, D.C.'

(Saturday, October 13, 1792, noon local time) — Construction of the United States Executive Mansion (known as the White House after 1818) began today with the laying of the cornerstone by President George Washington during a ceremony in the District of Columbia. Continue reading Cornerstone of the White House is laid by President George Washington 230 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 13 1792) →