President Johnson deplores ‘brutal’ murder of King 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'April 4, 1968: President Johnson addresses the nation after death of Martin Luther King Jr.'

(Thursday, April 4, 1968, 9:07 p.m. EST; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — U.S. President Johnson, speaking outside the entrance to the West Lobby at the White House, deplored tonight in a brief television address to the nation the “brutal slaying” of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr., 39, asking “every citizen to reject the blind violence that has struck Dr. King, who lived by non-violence.” Continue reading President Johnson deplores ‘brutal’ murder of King 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968) →

RFK makes first statement on King murder 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968)

African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Homefront USA [10/11]' (Apr. 4, 1968, at 21:02)

(Thursday, April 4, 1968, at about 8:40 p.m. EST; during the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, having arrived at Weir Cook Municipal Airport tonight in Indianapolis, Indiana, for a scheduled campaign stop, made his first public statement on the assassination of civil rights leader The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. earlier this evening in Memphis, Tennessee. Continue reading RFK makes first statement on King murder 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968) →

Martin Luther King Jr. pronounced dead 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: '"KENNEDYS DON'T CRY" (1975)' (Apr. 4, 1968, at 1:18:30)

(Thursday, April 4, 1968, 7:05 p.m. CST; during the Memphis sanitation strike, part of the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — Civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr., 39, was pronounced dead tonight, sixty-four minutes after he was shot as he stood on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Continue reading Martin Luther King Jr. pronounced dead 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968) →

Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'MLK: The Assassination Tapes - The Aftermath of the Assassination' (click here to watch the full episode with shooting at 19:05)

(Thursday, April 4, 1968, 6:01 p.m. CST; during the Memphis sanitation strike, part of the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — Civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr., 39, was fatally shot tonight as he stood on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Continue reading Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968) →

‘All My Life’ by K-Ci & JoJo peaks at #1 in USA 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1998)

1990s, Popular Music 1990s

(Saturday, April 4, 1998) — “All My Life” by K-Ci & JoJo peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart for three consecutive weeks (Apr. 4/11/18, 1998). Continue reading ‘All My Life’ by K-Ci & JoJo peaks at #1 in USA 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1998) →

‘The Party’ opens in New York City 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'The Party' trailer

(Thursday, April 4, 1968, 10:15 a.m. EST) — The Party, an American comedy film about an Indian actor who turns a swank Hollywood party into a disaster, opened this morning at Trans Lux West Theater in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Party’ opens in New York City 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1968) →

Congress approves redesign of U.S. flag 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1818)

1810s

(Saturday, April 4, 1818) — The Flag Act of 1818 was enacted by Congress today, providing for the modern rule of 13 red and white stripes to represent the original thirteen colonies and 20 stars to match the number of states, with a new star to be added for every new state of the Union.

‘Annie Hall’ wins Best Picture at 50th Academy Awards 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1978)

1970s, Movies 1970s, Television 1970s


Video: '1978 Oscars' (27 videos)

(Monday, April 3, 1978, 7:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. PST) — Annie Hall, an American romantic comedy film about a comedian and an aspiring singer who try to overcome their neuroses and find happiness, won four Oscars tonight at the 50th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Woody Allen) and Best Actress (Diane Keaton). Continue reading ‘Annie Hall’ wins Best Picture at 50th Academy Awards 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1978) →

King delivers ‘Mountaintop’ speech 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1968)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Martin Luther King's Last Speech: "I've Been To The Mountaintop"'

(Wednesday, April 3, 1968, 9:00 p.m. CST; during the Memphis sanitation strike, part of the African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968)) — In what turned out to be his final speech, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech at a rally of striking sanitation workers at the Mason Temple (Church of God in Christ Headquarters) in Memphis, Tennessee. Continue reading King delivers ‘Mountaintop’ speech 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1968) →

‘A Star Named Arnold is Born’ episode airs on ‘Green Acres’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1968)

1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'Green Acres - S 3 E 29 - A Star Named Arnold is Born (1)'

(Wednesday, April 3, 1968, 9:00-9:30 p.m. EST) — Lisa arranges for an old friend to give Arnold a chance in show business after the pig appears in a play at the Hooterville Theater on tonight’s episode of the American television sitcom series Green Acres on CBS. Continue reading ‘A Star Named Arnold is Born’ episode airs on ‘Green Acres’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1968) →