Nelson Mandela becomes South Africa’s first black president 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1994)

1990s

(Tuesday, May 10, 1994, 12:17 p.m. South African Standard Time) — With the commanding dignity that has carried him through more than half a century of defiance, captivity and conciliation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, jailed for 27 years for his anti-apartheid activism, became the first black President of South Africa today in Pretoria. Continue reading Nelson Mandela becomes South Africa’s first black president 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 10 1994) →

‘Do You Want to Know a Secret’ by The Beatles peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s

(Saturday, May 9, 1964) — “Do You Want to Know a Secret” by The Beatles peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Do You Want to Know a Secret’ by The Beatles peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1964) →

‘P.S. I Love You’ by The Beatles debuts at #64 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s

(Saturday, May 9, 1964) — “P.S. I Love You” by The Beatles debuted today at #64 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 singles chart, the group’s 16th appearance on the chart since Jan. 18, 1964. Continue reading ‘P.S. I Love You’ by The Beatles debuts at #64 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 9 1964) →

U.S. President Harry S. Truman born in Lamar, Missouri 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1884)

1880s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Biography of Harry S. Truman: Atomic Bombs, Communism, Korean War'

(Thursday, May 8, 1884) — Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States (1945-1953) and the 34th vice President of the United States under Franklin D. Roosevelt (1945), was born today in Lamar, Missouri. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman born in Lamar, Missouri 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1884) →

Vietnamese insurgents overrun French forces at Dien Bien Phu 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 7 1954)

1950s, Cold War, First Indochina War


Video: 'Why France Lost The Battle of Dien Bien Phu 1954 (4K Documentary)' (May 7, 1954, at 17:02)

(Friday, May 7, 1954, 5:30 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, part of the First Indochina War) — The 55-day Battle of Dien Bien Phu, fought in Vietnam between the French Union’s colonial Far East Expeditionary Corps and Viet Minh communist revolutionaries, ended this afternoon when rebel Viet Minh forces overran the French stronghold of Dien Bien Phu, bringing about the end of French control in Indochina and creating the division of Vietnam. Continue reading Vietnamese insurgents overrun French forces at Dien Bien Phu 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 7 1954) →