Latest news with #VietnamWar
The Star
4 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Vietnam's war-themed coffee chain: Where hipsters meet Vietcong
Cong Caphe is a large Vietnamese café chain. Its trademark is a khaki-green exterior and waiters and waitresses in Viet Cong outfits. — Photos: Carola Frentzen/dpa Vietnam knows its coffee. After all this country has its own national coffee style, a drip coffee served with condensed milk, beloved around the world. It's also the world's second largest producer of beans behind Brazil - and globally known for its robusta beans. One coffee chain combines the country's love of caffeine with the other thing it is internationally associated with - the Vietnam War. Cong Caphe is a large Vietnamese café chain. Its trademark is a khaki-green exterior and waiters and waitresses in Viet Cong outfits. — Photo: Carola Frentzen/dpa Founded some 20 years ago, the Cong Caphe chain serves you coffee by baristas clad in military-green uniforms in cafes that might make you feel like you've sought shelter at a bunker (albeit a very stylish bunker with a great interior decorator). The chain that has since expanded beyond the country's borders, running over 100 cafes, including in South Korea, Canada, Malaysia and Taiwan. A French branch is set to open soon. Dark-green walls adorned with camouflage helmets and war-time photographs are complimented by rusty wooden furniture, with other memorabilia displayed like in a museum. Cong Caphe is a large Vietnamese café chain. Its trademark is a khaki-green exterior and waiters and waitresses in Viet Cong outfits. Photo: Carola Frentzen/dpa "With our attire, we want to honour the soldiers of that time who fought for our country," says employee Duc Anh Lee, adjusting his dark green military cap. Young people and digital nomads crowd around the counter to place their orders. Vietnam is a young country: like most of his compatriots, Duc was born after the Vietnam War fought from 1955 to 1975. Coffee and wartime memorabilia are eveywhere in Vietnam. One trendy chain of coffee shops is now even combining both in one space. Photo: Carola Frentzen/dpa Memories of that time are omnipresent throughout the country to this day, with the ruling communists doing their part to remind the younger generations - and tourists - that it was them who ultimately emerged victorious after dealing US forces a devastating defeat after years of deadly jungle fighting. Cong Caphe says its mission is "to inspire imagination and bring about a distinct emotional experience of Vietnam." Indeed, its military-meets-hipster cafes are truly unique. If you go, make sure to try the iced coconut coffee, the chain's absolute bestseller. – dpa
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
6 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
History Today: When Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion on June 20, 1967. He refused to be inducted into the US Armed Forces on April 28 during the Vietnam War, citing religious belief. On this day in 1887, the Victoria Terminus was officially established in Mumbai, India read more A pivotal moment in the history of sports and civil rights took place on June 20, 1967, when legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion by a federal court. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. On this day in 1975, 'Jaws' directed by Steven Spielberg made its theatrical release. Also, the Victoria Terminus, present-day Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai was formally established in 1887. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that took place on this across the world. Muhammad Ali convicted of draft evasion Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was convicted of draft evasion in Houston, Texas, a momentous event that sent shockwaves through both the sports world and American society. Born Cassius Clay, Ali became the heavyweight champion of the world in 1964 and shocked the public by announcing his conversion to Islam, adopting the name Muhammad Ali. In 1967, during the height of the Vietnam War, he refused induction into the U.S. Army citing religious beliefs. Ali declared, 'I ain't got no quarrel with them Viet Cong.' He was a conscientious objector, aligned with the teachings of the Nation of Islam, which opposed participation in war. His refusal sparked national outrage and support alike. Critics saw it as unpatriotic, while civil rights leaders hailed his courage. The jury, composed entirely of white men, took just 21 minutes to convict him. Ali was sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000, and banned from boxing while being stripped of his title and license. Ultimately, the US Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction in 1978. File image/AP Ali remained free on bail while his legal team pursued appeals. His stance against the Vietnam War and his unwavering commitment to his principles made him a deeply polarizing figure, revered by many as a symbol of civil rights and anti-war activism, while condemned by others. Ultimately, on June 28, 1971, the US Supreme Court unanimously overturned his conviction in the case of Clay v United States. The Court found that the Justice Department had improperly advised Ali's draft board in rejecting his conscientious objector claim. The victory allowed Ali to return to boxing, though he had already lost several years of his fighting career due to his conviction and ban. His legal battle became a landmark case for freedom of conscience and had a lasting impact on the discourse surrounding civil disobedience and individual rights. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Jaws' releases in theatres On this day in 1975, the iconic thriller film Jaws premiered in theatres across the United States, forever changing the landscape of Hollywood and ushering in the era of the 'summer blockbuster.' Directed by then-27-year-old Steven Spielberg, the movie quickly became a cultural phenomenon, terrifying audiences and making countless people hesitant to venture into the ocean. Based on Peter Benchley's 1974 novel of the same name, Jaws tells the story of a great white shark terrorising a New England resort town, leading to a desperate hunt by a police chief, a marine biologist and a grizzled shark hunter. Despite a troubled production with a notoriously malfunctioning mechanical shark (affectionately nicknamed 'Bruce'), Spielberg's masterful direction, combined with John Williams' chilling, two-note score, created unparalleled suspense. A poster of the 'Jaws' movie that released on 1975. Representational image Jaws became the first true summer blockbuster, grossing over $470 million worldwide and holding the record as the highest-grossing film of all time until Star Wars surpassed it in 1977. Its release was historic for being one of the first films to be launched widely across hundreds of theatres simultaneously, rather than the traditional slow roll-out—a marketing strategy that redefined film distribution. Critically acclaimed, Jaws received four Academy Award nominations, winning three of them namely Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and Best Sound. It remains one of the most influential films in cinematic history, often credited with inventing the blockbuster model and elevating the thriller genre. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Victoria Terminus was established Victoria Terminus, now officially known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), was officially opened on June 20, 1887. The inauguration of the station marked a grand milestone in India's colonial railway history. It was named in honour of Queen Victoria, commemorating her Golden Jubilee. Designed by the British architectural engineer Frederick William Stevens, the construction of this magnificent structure began in 1878 and took ten years to complete. It was built to serve as the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and replaced the older Bori Bunder railway station. The terminus is a remarkable example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture blended with traditional Indian architectural influences, featuring intricate stone carvings, towering turrets, and pointed arches. It quickly became a symbol of Bombay (now Mumbai) as a major mercantile port city, earning the moniker 'Gothic City.' In 2004, it was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, recognised for its architectural brilliance and historic importance. Today, CSMT is one of India's busiest railway stations, handling millions of commuters daily and remains a vibrant part of Mumbai's urban fabric. Though renamed to honour the 17th-century Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the terminus retains its historical grandeur. This Day, That Year On this day in 1992, a new constitution went into effect in Paraguay, signalling the end of military rule. American automobile-racing driver Barney Oldfield accomplished the first mile-a-minute performance in a car in 1903. Victoria became the queen of the United Kingdom on this day in 1837.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Rochester veterans, victims of Agent Orange, get national recognition
Jun. 19—ROCHESTER — Not all U.S. service members who died from their duties in Vietnam are memorialized on the Vietnam War Memorial wall. Now, some of those whose lives were cut short by service there were being recognized this year by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's (VVMF) In Memory Program. Debi Neville's husband, Andrew "Pat" Neville, of Rochester, was one of the veterans who died years later due to health complications likely caused by exposure to Agent Orange, a blend of herbicides used by the U.S. during the conflict. The U.S. dumped more than 19 million gallons of the herbicide mix to strip opposing forces cover foliage, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. "So many people were dying from their service in Vietnam but weren't necessarily injured in Vietnam," Neville said. Pat was one of the 774 Vietnam veterans honored last week by the VVMF. The veterans were memorialized in a ceremony Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, alongside a traveling three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The service members' names were read aloud in a ceremony. An orange light was shone at the memorial as part of the ceremony. Neville was at the ceremony along with her friend Pam Sutton. The two met through their mutual experiences caring for a spouse dealing with the effects of Agent Orange. Pam's husband, Joe Sutton, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma — one of the 19 cancers and conditions recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and National Institutes of Health with "sufficient" or "suggestive" evidence to associate with exposure to the herbicides. Joe, who died in April 2021, had his name read at the ceremony as well. Pat died in May 2020 after suffering from ALS and dementia. Pam said the ceremony and recognition were moving and overdue. "It's about time," Pam said. Pam said it was nice to meet other families who have dealt with the same issues and frustrations caring for a loved one whose service jeopardized their health. "The government poisoned them," Pam said. There's still more accountability to be won, she added. Dementia is not, on its own, recognized as an illness associated with the herbicides. "To me, it's just wrong," she said. "It's neurological right along with ALS and Parkinson's that they do recognize." Pam said the Southeast Minnesota organization she and Debi established has two women who help care for husbands who served in Vietnam and are suffering from dementia. The two became friends over their shared experiences caring for husbands suffering from the effects of Agent Orange and started the support group.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Former Marine's Response To Donald Trump's Military Parade Is Going Viral
Ahead of Donald Trump's parade this past weekend, which was meant to celebrate the military's 250th anniversary (as well as, perhaps, his birthday), talk show host Bill Maher asked former Marine Corps officer and US Representative Seth Moulton for his thoughts on the spectacle. In a now-viral clip from HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher asks Rep. Moulton, "As a veteran, what is your reaction to Trump's plans for a military parade?" HBO / Twitter: @RpsAgainstTrump His response had the studio audience bursting into laughter and applause. Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public "He's a draft dodger," Moulton said. "It's his first military thing he really gets to do." Moulton isn't the first to refer to Trump as a "draft dodger." Democratic Senator and Purple Heart recipient Tammy Duckworth previously referred to the 79-year-old as "Cadet Bone Spurs" as she spoke on Trump's previous politicization of the military. These critiques stem from a young Trump receiving not one, not two, not even three or four, but five military draft deferments during the Vietnam War. One of these deferments, according to the New York Times, was due to heel spurs, which left him unfit for active duty. This diagnosis reportedly came from a friend of his fathers. Related: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them Continuing his point, Moulton delivered another jab: "Obviously, he likes Putin, he worships Kim Jong Un, he wants to be like that. He wants to be a dictator like those guys, and they have big military parades." Further, the representative considered the single-day parade's hefty price tag, which officials estimate to land somewhere between $25 and $40 million. "That could help a lot of vets," he said with a shrug as CNN anchor Jake Tapper chimed in with suggestions about how the money could have been diverted to Veterans Affairs offices to help vets directly. In response to the segment, some were quick to insist, "One veteran's words don't reflect the views of all veterans." Others, however, applauded Moulton's words. "Hell yes!" one person wrote. "Call it what it is — a coward who dodged service now wants to cosplay as a strongman? Disgraceful and dangerous." But what are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments. Also in In the News: This Conservative Said He Wears A Fake ICE Uniform For A Really, Really, Really Gross Reason Also in In the News: "Honestly Speechless At How Evil This Is": 26 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Week Also in In the News: This Dem Lawmaker Is Going Viral For His Extremely Shady Question To Secretary Kristi Noem
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: Bulls select Michael Jordan with 3rd pick in the 1984 NBA Draft
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 19 according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. A guide to what the Juneteenth holiday is and how to celebrate itWeather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1933: The Museum of Science and Industry opened for a preview in the former Palace of Fine Arts — the last remaining building from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition — in Jackson Park. The building previously housed the Field Museum before it opened in Grant Park in 1921. The museum was the gift of retail titan Julius Rosenwald of Sears, Roebuck & Co. He and his son, William, visited the Deutsches Science Museum in Munich in 1911. The boy was mesmerized by its interactive exhibits, which required him to push buttons and pull levers to determine the outcomes of science demonstrations. Rosenwald began suggesting such a museum for Chicago, one that would showcase the development of American industrial technology and scientific discovery. In 1926, he pledged $3 million to put one together. By the time it was finished, a year after his death, it would cost Rosenwald and his heirs more than $11 million (or roughly $20 million in today's dollars). 1966: A monument to Pfc. Milton Lee Olive was unveiled in a park named for him on the lakefront at the site of the city's water filtration plant and adjacent to Navy Pier. The soft-spoken South Side teen was killed in Vietnam on Oct. 22, 1965, after throwing his body on a hand grenade to save the lives of four military companions. Olive, whose nickname was 'Skipper,' posthumously became the first Black officer who served in the Vietnam War to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Rolling Stones in Chicago: A timeline of the band's 55-year fascination with the city's blues1972: The Rolling Stones performed three shows in two days at the International Amphitheatre, with Stevie Wonder as opening act. The set list brimmed with songs from the month-old 'Exile on Main Street.' At least 25 concertgoers reportedly were arrested. The reviews were gushing: 'They were famous; now they are a legend.' 1975: Former Chicago organized crime boss Sam Giancana was shot to death in the basement of his home in Oak Park. The killing has never been solved. 1984: The Chicago Bulls chose two-time college player of the year Michael Jordan with the third pick in the NBA draft. 'The Bulls' No. 1 choice will need a few laughs to ease the shock of moving from a winning team at North Carolina to a loser in Chicago,' the Tribune's Bob Logan wrote. Jordan was practicing with the U.S. Olympic basketball team in Bloomington, Indiana, that day when he was asked about it. 'No, I've never been on a losing team before, but that doesn't bother me,' Jordan said. 'You don't join any team expecting to go out there and lose.' 2015: The former home of prominent gay rights activist Henry Gerber, at 1710 N. Crilly Court in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood, was designated a National Historic Landmark. The postal clerk formed the Society for Human Rights, but was arrested in 1924, for being gay. Gerber was never convicted, but the publicity (including a newspaper headline reading 'Strange Sex Cult Exposed') led to his firing for conduct unbecoming of a postal worker. The group he began quickly disbanded. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
