CriticalPast.com: This Week In History

The Virginia Military Institute honors General George C Marshall in Lexington Virginia.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 17, 1951. General George C Marshall receives honor from The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington Virginia. Cadets of the Virginia military Institute parade in tribute to school's famous graduate General George C Marshall. The US flag. General George Secretary of Defense receives Distinguished Service Medal for serving his country for 50 years.

United States President Dwight D Eisenhower welcomes President Sukarno of Indonesia at the White House in Washington DC.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 17, 1956. President Sukarno of Indonesia visits Washington DC. US Vice President Richard Nixon welcomes President Sukarno at an airport. Photographers take pictures. Dignitaries in staff cars. They arrive at the White House. United States President Dwight D Eisenhower shakes hands and greets President Sukarno at the White House.

Celebrating founding of State of Israel Prime Minister David BenGurion addresses a crowd in New York City United States

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 15, 1948. Israeli Prime Minister David BenGurion visits the United States. A crowd is seated. A of Israeli sailors stands in formation. New York City Council President Vincent R. Impelletteri stands next to Israeli Prime Minister Gurion who waves to the crowd from steps of New York's City Hall. Gurion and Impellitteri display an official document commending Impellitteri. Prime Minister BenGurion addresses the crowd.

US President Franklin D Roosevelt addresses the Congress in Washington D.C as he condemns Nazi invasion on Netherlands.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 15, 1940. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses the Congress in Washington D.C. President Roosevelt strongly condemns the Nazi invasion of Holland and Belgium. He tells the 8th American Scientific Congress that the Americans are shocked by Hitler's attack. He talks about the Germans surrendering. Members of the Congress clap during President's speech. President Roosevelt promises aid to Belgium and Holland.

Mayor James J. Walker leads the great Beer Parade in New York City.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 14, 1932. People march in the Great Beer Parade also known as the 'We Want Beer' parade in New York City MS of Mayor Jimmy Walker leading the beer parade. Business leaders international figures and society matrons parade down the Fifth Avenue advocating repeal of prohibition. Signs seen include 'Beer For Taxation' and 'Beer for Prosperity' written on the side of a large beer barrel. Mayor Jimmy Walker viewing the beer parade. A sad tramp clown possibly the famous Emmett Kelly rides a bike while wearing a sign that reads 'Repeal 18 Amendment'

Adolf Hitler addresses disarmament at Reichstag German parliament in Berlin Germany.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 17, 1933. Adolf Hitler addresses on disarmament at Reichstag German Parliament in Berlin Germany. German swastika banner can be seen at the backdrop behind the podium. Hitler addresses the seated Reichstag members.

American soldiers discover cash jewels and other valuables at a salt mine in Merkers Germany during World War II.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 17, 1945. A salt mine in Merkers Germany. A sign in German outside the salt mine. An American soldier guards the gates of the mine. One hundred tonnes of gold bullion jewels paintings silver and currency discovered at the mine. Soldiers look at silver spoons gold bullion and rare and expensive paintings. Bags full of currency from European countries. Two million dollars of American currency in boxes. Cash bags piled up at the mine.

American Expeditionary Forces 42nd Infantry Division delouse clothing and watering horses in France during World War I

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 16, 1918. Activities of the US 42nd Infantry Division (Rainbow Division) American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) in France during World War 1. Soldiers delouse clothing in large steam cabinets at an encampment dubbed "the Indian Village" in France. Soldiers are seen carrying their cleaned clothing. Other soldiers bring horses to water as a soldier washes his clothes in a nearby outdoor wash facility

US President Woodrow Wilson at Airmail Service Dedication in Washington DC. and Lieutenant Webb takes off from New York.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 15, 1918. US President Woodrow Wilson at Airmail Service Dedication between Washington DC and New York. The new aerial mail service is launched by the Post Office between Washington DC and New York. President talks to the pilot at Washington DC before the take off. The Curtis JN4 airmail airplane takes off from the Polo field in Washington DC.. At the same time Lieutenant Webb takes off from New York. The airplane halts for six minutes at Philadelphia to collect more mail. The airplane lands New York with the mail after a three hour flight. A man takes out the mail baggage from the airplane.

Unveiling of 1st edition statue of US flag raising at Iwo Jima held at Times Square in New York as 7th War Bond drive opens.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 14, 1945. 7th War Bond drive opens at Times Square in New York City during World War 2. A large number of people gathered at the occasion. Crowd gathered around a statue of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima Japan. (This is the original plaster edition created by sculptor Dr. Felix W. de Weldon which served as the model for the future Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington Virginia). Soldiers seated as they look at the flag raising statue. Three survivors of the flag raising raise the American flag at the ceremony to promote the sale of bonds during the 7th War Bond drive: Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon Pfc. Ira Hayes and PhM 2c John H. Bradley USN.

Scenes of devastation in Nuremberg Germany following air bombardment by Allied aircraft

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 15, 1945. Bomb damage in Nuremberg Germany. Twisted steel structure as seen through window of a building. Destroyed buildings and debris in the city.

Damage on USS Enterprise after it was attacked by a Japanese suicide aircraft while underway in the Pacific Ocean

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 14, 1945. Japanese air attack on US ships underway in the Pacific Ocean during World War 2. Men running on the deck of USS Enterprise (CV6) after it suffered a Japanese air attack on 14th May 1945. It was hit by a kamikaze Zero piloted by Lt. J.G. Shunsuke Tomiyasu destroying her forward elevator killing 14 and wounding 34. View of damage to number one elevator from the suicide airplane attack Fire fighters try to douse the fire. Burned aircraft on the deck. On hangar deck fire fighters plays hoses on bulkheads. Ammunition and damaged airplanes are jettisoned over the side. An aircraft on its nose on the deck. Debris strewn all around.

Large crowd assembled at Brandenburg Gate and march up the avenue in Berlin Germany protesting Treaty of Versailles.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 14, 1919. Large crowd gathered in Berlin Germany in front of the Brandenburg Gate and the Hotel Adlon in the early days of the Weimar Republic. They gather and demonstrate to protest the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and to urge the government not to sign the treaty. People streaming through the gate some holding signs. Crowd marches up the avenue. Brief view of some people standing on top of the Brandenburg Gate.

Sailor Charles (Bud) Cowart is rescued after dangling from the airship USS Akron two thousand feet above ground

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 16, 1932. Original footage and supplemental reenactment of event that took place about a week earlier when the U.S. Navy Zeppelin USS Akron (ZRS4) attempted to dock for refueling at Camp Kearny San Diego California. In clips from that actual event spectators watch as a hundred Navy ground crew sailors attempt to hold down the dirigible. But one of the Akron cable rings breaks and the sailors are unable to hold her. All let go of the lines except for three sailors two of whom fell to their deaths. Scenes are shown of the remaining sailor Bud Cowart of Sand Springs Oklahoma as he hangs on for more than an hour until the USS Akron crew pulls him through a port hole to safety aboard the air ship. Views shot about a week later show officers inside the Akron and Sailor Cowart aboard the airship.

Troops of the Carrier Pigeon Service release pigeons from trenches in Saint Polo France during World War I.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 13, 1918. Soldiers preparing to send msssages back to headquarters by Carrier Pigeon Service from trenches of the the 167th Infantry Regiment (42nd InfantryRainbow Division) in World War 1. A soldier carefully removes a pigeon that had been secured in a wicker basket. Another pigeon is also seen. He attaches a message to the pigeon as a companion holds it. Next scene shows 167th Infantry troops in their trench. The Pigeon Service soldier releases two pigeons above the top of the trench and they fly away.

China successfully conducts her second nuclear test at Lop Nur.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 14, 1965. China's Premier Chou Enlai announces the news of China's first successful nuclear test. People cheer. Preparations for China's second Atomic Test is done. Men prepare trucks and equipment. Combat team briefed. Troops chant slogans. Troops and their horses wear protective clothing before entering the radioactive zone. Troops take cover at a safe distance before the blast and cover their eyes with protective glasses. Nuclear explosion at the horizon. Mushroom cloud rises high in the air. The shock wave destroys everything in its path. Tanks and troops enter the radioactive zone. Cavalry advances on ground. Troops move behind tanks. English translation narration overlays Chinese narrator in background.

Major Gordon Cooper launched into space in Faith 7 spacecraft for the Mercury Mission.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 15, 1963. Major Gordon Cooper wearing his space suit before he is launched into space for the Mercury mission.Major Cooper entering the van which will take him to launch pad 14. Major Cooper aboard Faith 7 spacecraft. Spacecraft shoots from launch pad. Crowd gathered in streets watching. Animated spacecraft shown. Major Cooper inside the spacecraft Faith 7. View of spacecraft moving in an orbit. People buying newspapers. Kearsarge carrier ship in Pacific near midway to receive Major Gordon Cooper. Animated spacecraft dropping Faith 7 capsule in Pacific. Rescue ships in Pacific and helicopters in sky in case of any emergency.

President Eisenhower formally commences the construction of New York's Lincoln Square Art Center.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 14, 1959. Crowd assembled for the commencement ceremony of New York's Lincoln Square Art Center. President Eisenhower and other VIPs on the stage. Designs of New York's Lincoln Square Art Center. Eisenhower holds a ceremonial shovel.

King George V and Queen Mary during the Silver Jubilee celebrations in London England.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 15, 1935. The Silver Jubilee celebrations for King George V in London England. King George and Queen Mary in a horse driven carriage. People on either side of a path hail the King and the Queen. Horsemen in front of the carriage. People stand on either side of the carriage. The King and the Queen enter a church. People gathered in the church room. The King and the Queen seated. The Archbishop performs the services. The King and the Queen in a balcony with other personnel. Men and women gathered outside hail them. The horse driven carriage accompanied by horsemen arrives. People waiting on the side of a path watch.

King Baudouin of Belgium visits the Chrysler Automobile Company in Detroit Michigan.

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:03:27 GMT

May 18, 1959. King Baudouin of Belgium visits an automobile company in Detroit Michigan. Number of cars arrives in front of Chrysler building. The King looks at the marvel of modern automated assembly lines. King Baudouin inspects cars. One of the convertibles' models presented to the King by a woman.