Today in History from the Vanderbilt Television News Archive

Nov 02 2007: On This Day...

(2007). (Studio: Shepard Smith) On this day in history: Howard Hughes piloted the first and only flight of the spruce goose in 1947.

Nov 02 1997: Thailand / Swimming Contest

(1997). (Studio: Gene Randall) The elephant swimming contest in Buriram, Thailand, presented; scenes shown from the Moon River.

Oct 30 1969: Lindbergh

(1969). (Studio) Charles Lindbergh, 67, and companion escape injury as aircraft crashes in Philippines.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

Oct 30 1974: Ali, Foreman Fight

(1974). (Studio) Muhammad Ali beats George Foreman in Zaire.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

(Kinshasa, Zaire) Pandemonium erupts following Ali's knockout of Foreman. [ALI - discusses fight.] Fight was logistical nightmare, but no one would have missed coming.
REPORTER: Bill Brannigan

Oct 30 1999: California / Vineyards / Black Goo

(1999). (Studio: Andria Hall) Report introduced.

(Sonoma County, California: Rusty Dornin) The attack of "black goo" fungus on California vineyards featured. [Wine grower Joe MARTIN - says a vine is doing poorly.] [Vineyard Consultant Mike PORTER - says the fungus is in the root stock.] [Caldwell Nurseries John CALDWELL - says black goo will mess up business.] [Grower Bill LERNER - calls the infestation a catastrophe.]

Oct 29 1990: Dallas, Texas / Ruby's Gun

(1990). (Studio: Tom Brokaw) Report introduced.

(Dallas: Jim Cummins) Court battle over gun used by Texan Jack Ruby to shoot and kill Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who assassinated President John F. Kennedy, featured; scenes shown from Dallas courtroom; historical scenes shown of assassination and of shooting of Oswald on live TV. [December 1989, executor Jules MAYER - names his asking price for gun.] [Brother Earl RUBY - comments.] [December 1989, IRS (Internal Revenue Service) Mary VANCE - cites government claims on Ruby estate.] [At Texas Schoolbook Depository building, MAN - recalls that day.]

Oct 29 1982: Hall / Death

(1982). (Studio) Death of Hallmark Cards founder Joyce Hall reported; details given.
REPORTER: Roger Mudd

Oct 28 2007: Chattanooga, Tennessee / Burger Eating

(2007). (Studio: Laurie Dhue) Joey "Jaws" Chestnut's victory at the burger eating championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, reported; scenes shown.

Oct 27 1978: Woman Climber

(1978). (Studio) Beverly Johnson completion of climbing of El Capitan Mt. reported; film of Johnson climbing shown.
REPORTER: Max Robinson

Oct 27 1979: Father Charles Coughlin Death

(1979). (Studio) Death of Father Charles E. Coughlin announced.
REPORTER: Jessica Savitch

Oct 27 1985: Paris / Art Theft

(1985). (Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Sam Donaldson

(Paris, France) Major art theft from museum here involving primarily paintings by Claude Monet examined; scenes shown. [Christie's art expert David ELLIS-JONES - explains significance of loss.]
REPORTER: Greg Dobbs

Oct 22 1971: Rehnquist Remark

(1971). (Studio) "Washington Star" reporter asked Rehnquist Thursday if Nixon would pick him for Court Rehnquist answered "Why should he? I'm not woman, black or mediocre."
REPORTER: Roger Mudd

Oct 22 1975: WFL Folds

(1975). (Studio) World Football League halts operations.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(No location given) Jul. `74 film shows 1st WFL game. Padded attendance figures were given out to show illusion of success. Many teams switched home towns. Some teams bankrupt. December `74 game shown. Teams not paid. Ex-Miami Dolphins of NFL, Jim Kiick, Paul Warfield and Larry Csonka got big WFL contracts; played this season with Memphis Southmen. Oakland Raider Ken Stabler and New York Giant Craig Morton get out of their WFL contracts. WFL began just when United States economy going down. [WFL president Chris HEMMETER - cites reason why WFL govs. considered league unwise investment.] Americans didn't want more pro football.
REPORTER: Bill Plante

Oct 16 1978: Pope John Paul II

(1978). (Studio) Roman Catholic cardinals' selection of new pope noted. [Pericle Cardinal FELICI - intros. new pope.] Cardinals' selection reported to be Karol Cardinal Wojtyla, from Poland; facts about him given. His choice of John Paul II as papal name stated. Details about papal selection given; Wojtyla said even less well known than predecessor Pope John Paul I, Luciano Albino. Potential for John Paul II long-term rule in church since he is 58 years old cited. Film shown.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings

(Vatican City) Background on new pope given. Impt. of his being non-Italian and from Communist cntry., Poland, examined. Films and photos shown. His influence at 2nd Vatican Council in 1960's and in own cntry. noted. His studies in Rome since becoming priest in 1946 mentioned.
REPORTER: Bill Blakemore

(Studio) Interview with Reverend Vincent O'Keefe. Question concerns choosing of new pope. [O'KEEFE - states reasons Wojtyla was chosen. Discusses new pope's pastoral characteristics and fact that he will have to deal with Italians as church officials in Vatican; mentions John Paul II's experience with Vatican officials and that there are other Polish church officials here. Names 2 Polish prelates at Vatican.] Question concerns new pope's positions on church issues. [O'KEEFE - states feelings about John Paul II's probable approach to church teachings and possibility of confrontations in dealing with 3rd world Catholics.]
REPORTER: Peter Jennings

(Studio) Upcoming special broadcast on new pope, "John Paul II: the Church in Change", noted. Reporter Barbara Walters' report that President Carter will shortly name former New York City Mayor Robert Wagner as special United States representative to Vatican stated.
REPORTER: Tom Jarriel

Oct 16 1970: Sadat / United Arab Republic President

(1970). (NOTE: AUDIO DISTORTED)

(Studio) Anwar Sadat recs. 90% vote for United Arab Republic President
REPORTER: Frank McGee

Oct 16 1995: Million Man March

(1995). Live CNN coverage and analysis of Reverend Jesse Jackson of the National Rainbow Coalition and Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan speeches at the "million man march" in Washington (DC), with introductions of Farrakhan by Reverend Benjamin Chavis and Reverend Farrakhan's son Christopher Farrakhan. Analysis includes interviews with civil rights activist Rosa Parks, Faith United Methodist Church Reverend Andrew Robinson- Gaithers, architect Marc Lee, WHUR talk show host Tom Joyner, and "Emerge" Editor-in-Chief George Curry.

Oct 15 1971: Dowser Society / Vermont

(1971). (Studio) Report on old art of water hunting.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

(Danville, VT) American Society of Dowsing holds annual treasure hunt. Dowsing can be used for more than water. Different devices used. Dowser Society President John Shelly uses rod to see if Senator Edmund Muskie will get Democratic nomination and if Nixon will be reelected. [SHELLY - says yes to both questions.]
REPORTER: Bill Brannigan

Oct 15 1971: Moon / Watch

(1971). (Studio) Rice University scientist, Dr. John West Freeman, Junior, says water clouds detected on moon by devices left by Apollo XII and XIV astronauts.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

Oct 15 1975: Taylor-Burton Nuptials

(1975). (Studio) Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton reported remarried in Botswana, Africa. Spectators include rhinos and hippos. Associated Press and United Press International differ on how many of each
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

Oct 15 1975: World Series / Controversy

(1975). (Studio) Report on controversial call in World Series game by umpire.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(Cincinnati, Ohio) Controversial play shown. [Red Sox manager Darrell JOHNSON - says catcher was interfered with; tapes will bear him out.]
REPORTER: Dick Schaap

(Studio) 6 umpires assigned to Series by American and National Leagues;

Oct 14 1968: Apollo VII / Television

(1968). (Studio) Apollo VII crew corrects malfunction and recs. orders to continue for another 24 hrs. Brief power failure occurs due to overload. Crew shown through television transmission from space. Crew and mission control chat back and forth. 2 placards held up by crew. Camera shows Florida coast line. Over wkend., Commander Schirra refused to allow television transmission. He fixed camera.
REPORTER: Chet Huntley

Oct 14 1970: Davis / Poindexter / Arraignment / Dohrn

(1970). Bypassed Introduction John Chancellor (NYC)

(NOTE: AUDIO DISTORTED)

(NYC) Angela Davis arraigned for buying guns used in San Rafael, California, jail-break attempt; bail set at $250,000; protesters shout "Free Angela"; companion David Poindexter bail set at $100,000 for harboring fugitive.
REPORTER: Liz Trotta; ARTIST: Van Beverly

(Studio) FBI replaces Davis with Weatherman Bernardine Dohrn on most wanted list.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

Oct 12 1976: Swine Flu Vaccine / Pennsylvania Deaths / Investigation

(1976). (Studio) 3 older persons die after taking swine flu vaccine in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Autopsies on 2 show no connection to vaccine and all had heart ailments. As precaution, however, vaccination program suspended in at least 6 states and other smaller areas pending investigation.
REPORTER: David Brinkley

(Studio) Story began in Allegheny Cnty., Pennsylvania.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) All inoculation sites in Allegheny Cnty. closed after 3 deaths; people turned away. [NURSE - explains situation to people requesting shots.] Cnty. officials say 3 who died in poor health before taking shots. [Cnty. coroner Dr. Cyril WECHT - says they don't know if there's direct relation between vaccine and deaths; all 3 suffered heart disease.] Atlanta's Center of Disease Control director Dr. David Sencer, says people of all ages should continue to get shots. [SENCER - says there's no evidence to substantiate connection of vaccine or program with deaths, but full investigation is necessary and being conducted. Says no other clusters of unusual occurrences reported and believes there's no reason for other areas to stop program.] Authorities say no deaths have been reported which can be attributed to swine flu shots and Pittsburgh officials say they're confident that investigation will prove 3 deaths not caused by vaccine.
REPORTER: Eric Burns

(Studio) New York had some of same batch of vaccine used in Pittsburgh and stopped giving it, as did Michigan. New York City conts. inoculation program.
REPORTER: David Brinkley

(NYC) Some older people express concern with regard to Pennsylvania deaths, but take shot anyway. [WOMAN - explains vaccine to patient.] New York City health officials use doses of same batch of vaccine sent to Pittsburgh and made by Parke Davis and Company though state officials order 24-hr. halt to rest of programs in state. [Red Cross spokesperson Robert SHEA - says real concern is state of patient's emotions with regard to taking shot.] Many older people caught between concern with regard to Pennsylvania deaths and memories of 1918 flu epidemic; for most, vaccine less of risk than flu.
REPORTER: Brian Ross

(Studio) Health officials in 15 states say they'll continue programs.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

Oct 12 1976: IRS Marriage

(1976). (Studio) Report on couple who fly to Haiti for divorce in December and remarry in January to save on income tax. H. David Boyer and wife Angela have had marriage made by IRS (Internal Revenue Service) for last 3 years
REPORTER: John Chancellor

Oct 12 1978: Synanon / Alleged Murder Attempt

(1978). (Studio) Early view of Synanon as revolutionary therapeutic community stated. Recent attempts of organization to silence critics by lawsuits and intimidation noted. Los Angeles police investigation of incident involving Synanon reported.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(Los Angeles, California) Police report of attempted murder of Los Angeles attorney Paul Morantz with rattlesnake as weapon detailed. Morantz' recent win in lawsuit of woman who claimed she was kidnapped and brainwashed by Synanon members noted. Background of Synanon given and recent chgs. about its growing violent nature and other charges by former members detailed. [Former Synanon member Beverly LEVITT - had to watch husband walk around with Synanon wife. States decision to get out of place where she hadn't freedom to choose marriage partner. Says others had same thing happen to marriages.] Synanon's arming of members and defiant stance taken against critics described. Interview of organization founder, Charles Dederich, last winter by KMXT reporter Connie Chung shown; his claim that article in "Time" magazine produced threats on his life stated. [DEDERICH - is going to make them as nervous about children and grandchild as he is about his. Says group never starts anything, but that no one will mess with them.] [Victim MORANTZ - states beliefs of Synanon that they are saviors of world. Compares Synanon to Manson group.] Agreement of 2 Synanon mbrs. allegedly involved in attempted murder to surrender to authorities reported; one is reported to be son of band leader Stan Kenton. Lance Kenton, age 20, said to have spent half of life in Synanon.
REPORTER: Terry Drinkwater

Oct 12 1981: Unicorn Hunt

(1981). (Studio) Report introduced
REPORTER: Max Robinson

(N. Michigan) Annual unicorn hunt at Lake Superior State College featured. [Prof. Peter THOMAS - explains quest.] [College relations director Bill RABE - comments on another means of questing.]
REPORTER: Stephen Geer

Oct 09 1968: House / Presidential Debates

(1968). (Studio) House passes bill to make possible 3-way President debates. Senator expected to approve House version. Richard Nixon insists he'll only debate with Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, not George Wallace. Longest House session since 1853.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds

(DC) Delaying tactics used by Republicans Doors locked at 1 point to keep anyone from leaving. [Representative Don. RUMSFELD - says important that Congress and election reform bills be heard this year] [Representative Robert TAFT, JR. - says Democrats showed degree they'd go to prevent bills from coming up in Congress Democrats just pushing through bills that they want.]
REPORTER: Irv Chapman

Oct 09 1968: Moscow Trial

(1968). (Studio) Moscow court tries 5 Soviets who demonstrated in Red Sq. against Czechoslovakian invasion. Grandson of late Soviet For. Min. is 1 of defendants.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

Oct 09 1975: W. T. Grant Stores

(1975). (Studio) W.T. Grant to close 201 stores by end year Other than stores in Missouri and LA, all stores West of Mississippi River to close.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

Oct 09 1981: Holocaust / World War II

(1981). (Studio) Trial with regard to authenticity of reports of Jewish holocaust in Nazi Germany in 1930's and 1940's reported.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

(Los Angeles, California) Old film of boxcars being loaded with people shown. Institution of Historical Review said claiming World War II holocaust was myth fabricated by Jews. Mel Mermelstein said claiming $50,000 from Institution for proving holocaust no myth. Unable to collect, report says Mermelstein sued. Arguments on both sides given. Court scenes shown. [Defense lawyer Richard FUSILIER - questions Mermelstein's proof.] [Mermelstein lawyer William COX - argues against Fusilier.] [Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Thomas JOHNSON - says court accepts as fact gassing of Jews at Auschwitz in 1944.] Probability of appeal noted.
REPORTER: David Burrington

Oct 08 1970: Solzhenitsyn / Nobel Prize

(1970). (Studio) Soviet novelist Alexander Solzhenitsyn recs. Nobel Prize for Literature; books banned in USSR .
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

Oct 08 1975: Mayonnaise Lady

(1975). (Studio) Doris Judd fired from cafeteria at University California at Davis due to being slow with sauerkraut and not spreading enough mayonnaise. After 2 1/2 years, court decides she should be rehired. Associated Press reports her cooking duties.
REPORTER: Harry Reasoner

Oct 07 1977: Army / LSD Use / Thornwell

(1977). (Studio) 16 years ago, James Thornwell of Berkeley, California, was given general discharge from Army, judged to have mental problems; he says he's had psychiatric problems since then and has had trouble holding jobs. This week, Thornwell's attorney obtains formerly classified records from Army that may tell why Thornwell has had problems.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(Oakland, California) Accding. to records just released by Army, Thornwell was given LSD by Army in 1961 without own knowledge or permission. Thornwell was stationed in Orleans, France, at time and drug was administered to try to find out if he'd stolen classified papers, as Army suspected. [THORNWELL - describes questioning by Army interrogators and experiences after telling them he didn't know where documents were.] Thornwell says he never stole any documents and that aftereffects of LSD linger. [THORNWELL - describes pain he still has.] Attorney plans to sue government for amt. still to be determined.
REPORTER: Bernard Goldberg

Oct 06 1969: World Series / Mets vs. Orioles

(1969). (Studio) New York Mets win National League Pennant.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds

(NYC) Nets won over Atlanta Braves 7-4. Tommie Agee, Ken Boswell, and Wayne Garrett hit homers. Braves Hank Aaron and Orlando Cepeda Mayor John Lindsay joins Mets in dressing room celebration.
REPORTER: Bill Lawrence

(NYC) [AGEE - says thank you to compliments; knew we'd win. We'll beat Baltimore Orioles.]
REPORTER: Howard Cosell

(NYC) Crowd ecstatic at Shea Stadium.
REPORTER: Bill Lawrence

(Studio) Orioles beat Minnesota Twins 11-2.
REPORTER: Frank Reynolds

Oct 06 1975: Outer Space / Hoax?

(1975). (Studio) United Press International reports couple showing up at Waldport, OR, saying they were from outer space. They told people that camp set up in Colorado to accept volunteers for outer space. Police looking for 20 missing people. 1 man sends farewell postcard to mother from Colorado.
REPORTER: John Chancellor

Oct 05 1970: Joplin / Death

(1970). (Studio) Narcotics overdose kills singer Janis Joplin at 27.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

Oct 05 1983: Nobel Peace Prize / Walesa

(1983). (Studio) Lech Walesa reported winning 1983 Nobel Peace Prize; implications for Polish government's efforts to discredit him noted.
REPORTER: Dan Rather

(Gdansk, Poland) Walesa's reaction to news noted; films shown. Prize money said being contributed to Catholic Church fund for agricultural development Walesa said considering having wife Danuta collect award and prize money out of fear that authorities would not allow him to return to Poland; government `s current efforts to discredit him mentioned. Implications of award for Solidarity movement considered.
REPORTER: Bert Quint