Category Archives: Politics

The Plot to Kidnap Roosevelt

Posted on November 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Nov. 29, 1959: Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. writes in “Man of the World” about a purported plot by wealthy industrialists to kidnap President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the time he was reelected to a third term. Here's a perfect … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Politics | 2 Comments

Women Postpone Thanksgiving Dinner to Meet Militant Feminist!

Posted on November 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

Portraits of Chicago women who deserted their families on Thanksgiving.  Oh, the scandal!! "We will not stone our legislators. We will not horsewhip them in the streets. We will not break up their homes, nor drop stones through their roof … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Food and Drink, Politics | 1 Comment

Nov. 22, 1963

Posted on November 22, 2009 by lmharnisch
Posted in Front Pages, Homicide, Politics | 2 Comments

House Committee to Investigate Payola

Posted on November 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 7, 1959: A U.N. group finds no proof that Laos had been invaded by communist troops from North Viet-Nam but discovers that Laotian rebels were supplied by Viet-Nam Reds. You may hear more about Viet-Nam in the days ahead … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, broadcasting, Front Pages, Politics, Richard Nixon, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Television | Comments Off on House Committee to Investigate Payola

University of Wisconsin Bans Flirting!

Posted on November 6, 2009 by lmharnisch

  “Do you think that an American woman ever will be president?” ”That is the most extraordinary question that I have ever had put to me,” says Emmeline Pankhurst.   History students in a class at Brown University cannot name … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics | Comments Off on University of Wisconsin Bans Flirting!

Council OKs Raises for Police, Firefighters; Union Effort Collapses

Posted on November 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Successful businessmen use the Dictaphone. Great lettering, no?   Nov. 5, 1919: The City Council gives police officers and firefighters a raise and the attempts to unionize the Police Department collapse.

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Politics, Science | Comments Off on Council OKs Raises for Police, Firefighters; Union Effort Collapses

Police Officers May Unionize

Posted on November 4, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Some aspects of being a parent haven’t changed!   Nov. 4, 1919: An attempt is made to organize the Los Angeles Police Department under one of the railway workers’ unions. Over the years, there were several attempts to unionize … Continue reading →

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Nixon and Kennedy Visit L.A.

Posted on November 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

 Vice President Richard Nixon and his wife, Pat, arrive in Arcadia.  Nixon voices confidence the Republican Party … And the MTA is increasing fares on buses and streetcars from 17 cents to compensate for raises granted to union workers. Sen. … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Richard Nixon | Comments Off on Nixon and Kennedy Visit L.A.

Black Soldier Refuses to Pass as White

Posted on October 31, 2009 by lmharnisch

“You don’t have to pass as a Negro in California. If you aren’t black you can pass for anything.” Oct. 31, 1919: A fascinating glimpse of African American life in Los Angeles surfaces in divorce proceedings. A black soldier says … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Politics | Comments Off on Black Soldier Refuses to Pass as White

Fidel Castro Survives Assassination Attempt

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 23, 1959: The courts refuse to halt the steel strike … And Shostakovich is coming. Farah Dibah, on a shopping trip to Paris, refuses to confirm reports that she is engaged to marry the shah of Iran. Harper Poulson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Front Pages, Politics, Richard Nixon, Sports | 2 Comments

Hula Dance Craze Sweeps New York

Posted on October 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

Clare Briggs, “When a Feller Needs a Friend.” Oct. 23, 1919: Harry Carr, one of The Times' best-known writers, files a series of vignettes from New York. He says that prohibition is lightly enforced and that it’s still easy to … Continue reading →

Posted in #opera, art and artists, classical music, Comics, Politics, Stage | Comments Off on Hula Dance Craze Sweeps New York

Delay for Caryl Chessman

Posted on October 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 22, 1959: President Eisenhower transfers German rocket scientists led by Wernher von Braun from Army jurisdiction to NASA. Luau anyone? The Dodgers submitted a map for their Chavez Ravine ballpark and some of the features were downright headline grabbers. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, City Hall, Dodgers, Downtown, Politics | 2 Comments

Arkansas Democrats Seat Blacks at Separate Table for Harmony Dinner

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Oct. 21, 1959: African Americans are invited to the Arkansas Democratic Harmony Dinner – but they must sit at their own table.

Posted in Countdown to Watts, Politics | Comments Off on Arkansas Democrats Seat Blacks at Separate Table for Harmony Dinner

As Undercover Agent, Housewife Spied on Communists

Posted on October 21, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 21, 1959: Moiselle Clinger describes spying on Communists for the FBI. Truck driver Gordon Powell says he robbed a bank after losing work because of the steel strike. A new appeal seeks to block the execution of Caryl Chessman. … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

President Taft Has a Bully Time in Los Angeles

Posted on October 12, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 12, 1909: President Taft has a bully time in Los Angeles.   Oct. 12, 1909: Fire breaks out at 143 N. Gless in “Little Russia.”  "Eighteen complaints have been filed against members of the Russian colony because of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Front Pages, LAPD, Politics | Comments Off on President Taft Has a Bully Time in Los Angeles

President Visits L.A.!

Posted on October 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

Over the years, Edmund Waller “Ted” Gale drew many variations on “Miss Los Angeles” before adopting the best known version, a Latina. Above, here she is in 1909, welcoming President Taft. At right, Miss Los Angeles, Feb. 26, 1920 l … Continue reading →

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Our Troubled Constitution

Posted on October 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

  How about women? Aren’t they citizens? Then why can’t they vote? Oct. 10, 1909: The great state of California, the most rapidly growing and one of the largest commonwealths of the nation, is struggling along under a Constitution that … Continue reading →

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Sox Beat Dodgers, 1-0

Posted on October 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 7, 1959: Hold off on that victory parade. The White Sox extended the World Series to at least Game 6 by edging the Dodgers, 1-0, before yet another record crowd in the Coliseum. Sandy Koufax gave up the game’s … Continue reading →

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Sox Clobber Dodgers, 11-0

Posted on October 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

Oct. 1, 1959: Forget the World Series for a moment. The Mirror sent Dick Bergholz to cover President Eisenhower's golfing vacation in Palm Springs. Ike's foursome included George Allen, Freeman Gosden of "Amos 'n' Andy fame and William Robinson, an … Continue reading →

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‘War Is War’

Posted on September 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 29, 1939: Ruth Locke describes a submarine attack off the Irish coast.

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