Stimson briefs Truman on ‘most terrible weapon ever known’ 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945)

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

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Apr. 25, 1945, at 9:50)

(Wednesday, April 25, 1945, 12 noon EWT; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson briefed President Harry Truman today about the possibility of an atomic weapon, outlined the history and status of the program and predicted that “within four months we shall in all probability have completed the most terrible weapon ever known in human history” (click here for a clip of Apr. 24-25, 1945, on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:40:57). Continue reading Stimson briefs Truman on ‘most terrible weapon ever known’ 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945) →

U.S. and Soviet troops link up, cutting Nazi Germany in two 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 21-Nemesis:Germany(February-May 1945)' (U.S. and Soviet troops link up at 51:49)

(Wednesday, April 25, 1945, 4:40 p.m. Central European Summer Time; on the Western Front and Eastern Front during World War II) — The Soviets, advancing from the East, and the Americans, advancing from the West, met today at the River Elbe, near Torgau in Germany, a meeting that dramatized the collapse of Nazi Germany’s defenses. Continue reading U.S. and Soviet troops link up, cutting Nazi Germany in two 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945) →

Allied troops land on Gallipoli Peninsula, face fierce resistance from Ottoman forces 110 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1915)

1910s, World War I


Video: 'The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century - #3 Total War' (Apr. 25, 1915 at 2:30)

(Sunday, April 25, 1915, around 4:30 a.m. Eastern European Time; during the Gallipoli Campaign in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I) — Allied forces launched a major amphibious invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula early today, with Australian and New Zealand troops coming ashore at what is now known as Anzac Cove, and British and French forces landing at Cape Helles in an ambitious campaign to seize control of the Dardanelles Strait. Continue reading Allied troops land on Gallipoli Peninsula, face fierce resistance from Ottoman forces 110 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1915) →

‘The Game of Love’ by Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago today (Apr 24 1965)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s

(Saturday, April 24, 1965) — “The Game of Love” by Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard‘s Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘The Game of Love’ by Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago today (Apr 24 1965) →

Lincoln funeral train arrives in New York City 160 years ago this hour (Apr 24 1865)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 24, 1865 at 22:25-23:09)

(Monday, April 24, 1865, 10:50 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — The remains U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and his deceased son, William Wallace Lincoln, stopped in New York City today on a 1,654 mile journey to Springfield, Illinois, for final burial. Continue reading Lincoln funeral train arrives in New York City 160 years ago this hour (Apr 24 1865) →

U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson requests meeting with President Truman to discuss ‘highly secret matter’ 80 years ago today (Apr 24 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Apr. 24, 1945, at 8:55)

(Tuesday, April 24, 1945; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry Simson wrote a memo today to President Harry Truman about the urgent need to discuss a “highly secret matter,” the atomic bomb.

Eyewitnesses provide filmed testimonies of Nazi atrocities 80 years ago today (Apr 24 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Memory of the Camps (full documentary) | FRONTLINE' (Apr. 24, 1945, at 19:29/27:57)

(Tuesday, April 24, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — Eyewitnesses today provided filmed testimonies of the Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen, liberated Apr. 15, 1945, in Lower Saxony in northern Germany, southwest of the town of Bergen near Celle, by British and Canadian troops. Continue reading Eyewitnesses provide filmed testimonies of Nazi atrocities 80 years ago today (Apr 24 1945) →

Badfinger’s Pete Ham takes his own life 50 years ago today (Apr 24 1975)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s


Video: 'Badfinger Doc 4 of 6' (Apr. 23-24, 1975, at 7:10)

(Friday, April 24, 1975, approximately 6:00 a.m. British Summer Time) — Peter Ham, 27, of British rock band Badfinger hanged himself early this morning in his garage studio in Woking, just outside London. Continue reading Badfinger’s Pete Ham takes his own life 50 years ago today (Apr 24 1975) →