This Day in History - The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back premiered in theaters on May 21, 1980. Josh & Chuck celebrate like the scruffy nerf herders they are.
Stuff You Should Know: This Day in History
Throughout parts of Europe, April 30 is Walpurgis Night, a Halloween companion holiday of sorts. So where does the name come from, and how does one go about celebrating? Josh and Chuck have got you covered.
Plus, something is happening outside the window. Josh and Chuck struggle to catch a glimpse.
Tune in for new episodes of Stuff You Should Know: This Day in History every Tuesday!
In 2013, April 9th is National Equal Pay Day in the United States. We specify the year ‘cause it always falls on a different date. Why? Well, Equal Pay Day isn’t a holiday — it’s the day on which the average woman has caught up to the salary made by the average man during the previous year. The guys from Stuff You Should Know dig into the issue.
p.s. — Confused about what’s going on with the shotgun mic and the mystery box? So are we! Josh & Chuck aren’t telling. But you can check out the first video in their This Day in History series to catch up.
August 20th 1940: Leon Trotsky fatally wounded
On this day in 1940, Leon Trotsky was attacked with an ice axe by Soviet agent Ramón Mercader and died from his wounds the next day. Trotsky had been a major figure in the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in 1917. He held key government positions under Vladimir Lenin, but opposed Joseph Stalin’s rise to power following Lenin’s death. Stalin ensured Trotsky was removed from power and exiled from the Soviet Union. Stalin later ordered for him to assassinated whilst in exile in Mexico City. Mercarder attacked Trotsky in his home and stuck him in the head with an ice axe. He died in hospital on August 21st, aged 60.
New York City celebrating the surrender of Japan. They threw anything and kissed anybody in Times Square. 08/14/1945
Victor Jorgenson, Photographer. From the General Photographic File of the Department of the Navy
(Yes we posted this last year too, but who can resist this photo?)
Gerald R. Ford used this family bible to take the Oath of Office as 38th President of the United States.
On August 9, 1974, Gerald R. Ford assumed the office of the Presidency after President Richard Nixon resigned. The swearing-in ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House. Ford placed his hand on this family Bible for the Oath of Office.
In his remarks, Ford said,
“The oath that I have taken is the same oath that was taken by George Washington and by every President under the Constitution. But I assume the Presidency under extraordinary circumstances never before experienced by Americans. This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.”
-from the Ford Library
The last meal President Richard Nixon ate at the White House. On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon announced on evening television that he would resign from the Presidency.
Click HERE to learn what was going on during the Nixon-Ford years, before the Watergate Scandal and Nixon’s resignation…
(via bbook)
USS Akron in Flight
The ill-fated airship USS Akron (ZRS-4) was launched on August 8, 1931. Designed as a potential flying aircraft carrier, this reel of stock Navy footage includes scenes of the Akron launching and retrieving its complement of Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk “parasite fighters.”
August 6: Happy Birthday Lucille Ball!
On this day in 1911, loveable comedian, actress, and model Lucille Ball was born. Her television show, I Love Lucy, was one of the most popular shows of the 1950’s.
Trace the late television legend’s groundbreaking career with this timeline from American Masters.
I really do love Lucy! And the show I Love Lucy. Here’s more about her…
Marilyn Monroe celebrates her 36th birthday with cake and sparklers during the filming of ‘Something’s Got to Give’ in Los Angeles, California, June 1, 1962. This was Monroe’s last day on the set before she was fired. She died two months later on August 5, 1962
Photo by Lawrence Schiller/Polaris Communications/Getty Images
August 1, 1779: Francis Scott Key Born
On this day in 1779, American lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key was born in Maryland. In 1814, during a mission to negotiate the release of American prisoners on a British flagship, Key was held captive and forced to watch as the British bombarded Baltimore’s Fort McHenry.
The American victory and unwavering flag that flew triumphantly above the fort through the course of the battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem he titled, “Defence of Fort McHenry.”
Key’s poem became the lyrics to the song that was later officiated as the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” See how much a standardization manuscript for “The Star-Spangled Banner” (dating back to the early 20th century) is worth today on Antiques Roadshow.
Photo: Library of Congress
