Vice President Johnson assures Saigon of aid in army build-up 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 12 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: '1961 Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson Visits Saigon'

(Friday, May 12, 1961, 11:30 a.m. Indochina Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Vice President Lyndon Johnson told South Vietnam’s National Assembly today in Saigon the United States was ready immediately to help South Vietnam increase its 150,000-man regular military forces by a substantial number. Continue reading Vice President Johnson assures Saigon of aid in army build-up 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 12 1961) →

Woody Allen’s ‘Midnight in Paris’ premieres at Cannes Film Festival 10 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 2011)

2010s, movies 2010s, Woody Allen


Video: 'Midnight in Paris' trailer

(Wednesday, May 11, 2011, evening) — Midnight in Paris, a fantasy comedy-drama film about a screenwriter who is forced to confront the shortcomings of his relationship with his materialistic fiancée and their divergent goals, which become increasingly exaggerated as he travels back in time each night at midnight, premiered tonight at the Lumiere theater in Cannes on opening night of the 64th annual Festival de Cannes. Continue reading Woody Allen’s ‘Midnight in Paris’ premieres at Cannes Film Festival 10 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 2011) →

‘Joyride’ by Roxette peaks at #1 in USA 30 years ago #OnThis Day #OTD (May 11 1991)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s

(Saturday, May 11, 1991) — “Joyride” by Roxette peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard‘s Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Joyride’ by Roxette peaks at #1 in USA 30 years ago #OnThis Day #OTD (May 11 1991) →

‘All Those Years Ago’: George Harrison’s tribute to John Lennon released 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1981)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


Video: 'George Harrison - All Those Years Ago [High Quality]'

(Monday, May 11, 1981) — “All Those Years Ago,” a tribute to the late former Beatle, John Lennon, who murdered last year by a deranged fan, by fellow former Beatle George Harrison (also featuring fellow ex-Beatles Ringo Starr on drums and Paul McCartney on backing vocals, recorded separately) was released today in the U.S. as a single (May 15, 1981, in the UK). Continue reading ‘All Those Years Ago’: George Harrison’s tribute to John Lennon released 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1981) →

Reggae icon Bob Marley, 36, succumbs to cancer at Miami hospital 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1981)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s


Video: 'Bob Marley Death News Announcement (May 11, 1981)'

(Monday, May 11, 1981, 11:45 a.m. EDT) — Bob Marley, international superstar and popularizer of the hard-driving Jamaican reggae music, died today at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital (later University of Miami Hospital) in Miami after a long battle with cancer. He was 36. Continue reading Reggae icon Bob Marley, 36, succumbs to cancer at Miami hospital 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1981) →

‘M’ premieres in Berlin 90 years ago #OnThisDate #OTD (May 11 1931)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'M' trailer

(Monday, May 11, 1931) — M, a German drama-thriller film about a mob that sets out to catch a child killer whose crimes are attracting too much police attention, premiered today at the UFA-Palast am Zoo in Berlin. Continue reading ‘M’ premieres in Berlin 90 years ago #OnThisDate #OTD (May 11 1931) →

Hitler’s deputy Rudolf Hess parachutes into Scotland on apparent peace mission 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1941)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Rudolf Hess - Nazi Pacifist, Traitor or Madman? - WW2 Special Episode'

(Saturday, May 10, 1941, 11:09 p.m. British Double Summer Time; during The Blitz part of the Strategic bombing campaign of World War II) — Adolf Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess, flew a Messerschmitt Bf 110 to Scotland today on what he claimed was a solo peace mission, parachuting into Eaglesham near his objective of Dungavel House after running out of fuel. Continue reading Hitler’s deputy Rudolf Hess parachutes into Scotland on apparent peace mission 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1941) →

Germans launch last major attack on London during The Blitz 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1941)

1940s, World War II


Video: "1941 Londons May 10th Blitz L2845'

(Saturday, May 10, 1941, 11:02 p.m.-5:57 a.m. British Double Summer Time; during The Blitz part of the Strategic bombing campaign of World War II) — The last major attack by German forces on London during The Blitz began tonight as the Luftwaffe flew 571 sorties and dropped 800 tonnes of bombs, causing more than 2,000 fires. Continue reading Germans launch last major attack on London during The Blitz 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1941) →

‘You Better You Bet’ by The Who peaks at #18 n USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1981)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, May 9, 1981) — “You Better You Bet” by The Who peaked today at #18 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for the first of three weeks.
Continue reading ‘You Better You Bet’ by The Who peaks at #18 n USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1981) →

50-foot-tall Peace Candle of the World first lit in Scappoose, Oregon 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1971)

1970s


Video: 'KGW Archive: 1971 Lighting of the Scappoose Peace Candle'

(Sunday, May 9, 1971) –The Peace Candle of the World, an approximately 50-foot-tall tower-like structure 18 feet in diameter in Scappoose, Oregon, was lit today by the town’s mayor and Oregon Governor Tom McCall with a specially-made 60-foot-long match.
Continue reading 50-foot-tall Peace Candle of the World first lit in Scappoose, Oregon 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1971) →