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MARCH 25 — 1994 UNITAF departs Somalia; 1968 LBJ meets with Wise Men over Vietnam strategy; 1983 Motown celebrates 25th anniversary; NBA: 2016 Warriors and Mavs break record for most three’s scored
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MARCH 25
1994 – U.S. troops depart Somalia.
The United Task Force, or UNITAF, was a US-led United nations-sanctioned multinational force which operated in Somalia between December of 1992 and May of 1993. Somalia was a complete mess in 1992, due to clan based fightn and the worst drought in Africa of the century. Humanitaria aid provided by the United Nations were interrupted by Somalia’s warring factions and deteriorating security, so George Bush ordered 25,000 troops to maintain order.
By the time Bill Clinton took over as president, the mission remained unsuccessful. So he wanted to hand the responsibility off to the UN and began bringing troops home. By June 1993 only 4200 US troops remained behind. On June 24, Somalia warlord General Mohammed Aidid’s troops ambushed and slaughtered US soldier and UN peacekeepers trying to inspect a weapons storage site. On a mission to capture Aidid, 400 troops form Delta Force and the US rangers spent two months trying to capture him, and unfortunately on October 3 and 4 in a firefight that lasted 17y hours, 18 solders were killed and 84 wonded. Clinton at that point decided to cut his losses and started bringing home the troops three days later. On March 25, 1994, the last of the US troops left.
1968 LBJ meets with his Wise Men regarding the future of the Vietnam War.
Defense Secretary Clark Clifford had just told Johnson that the war was a “real loser”, so Johnson met with a mine-man panel of retired presidential advisors. The group included Generals Omar Bradley and Mathew Ridgway, as well as distinguished State Department figures Dean Acheson and George Ball, McGeorge Bundy. Guess what they suggested? Thaaat’s right ladies and gentlemen! Stop supplying American troops and start looking for a more peaceful solution.
Not what Landslide Lyndon wanted to hear. But of course, he knew they were right. By the way, on that same day a Harris Poll reported that Ameriocan support for the war had dropped from 74% down to 54%. The explanation in the sudden drop came as a result of the truth abot the Tet Offensive had a much worse psychological affect than anyone realized prior to this point. Several days later LBJ made his announcement on TV about peace negotiations at any time or place, and that he would not seek re-election.
1983-Motown celebrates its 25 anniversary
at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California was taped, later to be shown on NBC on May 16. Helluva show; Michael Jackson amazed the world with his Moonwalk and performance of Billie Jean, Smokey Robinson got back together with the Miracles, there was a Temptations/Four Tops battle of the bands, marvin Gaye delivered a heartfelt speech on the history and impact of black music and sang an unforgettable rendition of What’s Going On, the Jackson 5 reunited and Diana Ross & the Supremes performed a joyful performance of Someday We’ll Be Together.
Except for one thing: it was far from joyful. Diana, Amary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong still had 20 years of unresolved issues. That’s a long story, let’s just say the name of the group is Diana Ross and the Supremes, not just The Supremes. So as Diana was slowly going up the stage during the performance, Cindy and Mary were going in stride instead of the backup roles they should have been playing, and Diana turned around and actually pushed mary back. Yeah, that was edited from the broadcast. The only problem was that the better half of the Four Tops, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin were not at the show due to bickering in the band.
1958-Sugar Ray Robinson beats Carmen Basilion to regain the middleweight championship.
2016 Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks both sink threes all night long.
Warriors hit 21 as the Slash brothers, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry combined for 14 three pointers, the Mavs hit 18 3 pointers. This particular matchup would be the 65th win of the year for Golden State, taking them deep into the playoffs where they would lose to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dallas would barely make it into the playoffs.