July 4th: A Bad Day for Ex-Presidents

A "great day" in the lives of American revolutionaries John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the 4th of July proved important right up until the end.

Politicos of the Past

As Election Day 2010 gets underway, we take a look back at a few notable politicians who died earlier this year.

Remembering Flag-Wavers on Flag Day

We salute patriotic Americans who showed their love of country by proudly flying the American flag.

Sax Machines

LeRoi Moore of the Dave Matthews Band and Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band both played saxophone. But the similarities don't end there.

They Made a Joyful Noise

We've lost many gospel singers in recent weeks. The renowned , who famously sang with James Cleveland’s Gospel Chimes and Bill Gaither’s Homecoming crew, died Sept. 26, 2011 at age 73.

Semper Fi

In recognition of the Marine Corps' 236th birthday on Nov. 10, 2011, and Veterans Day today, we give an ooh-rah to a handful of former Marines who died in recent weeks.

Virginia Tech: Peace and Healing

On April 16, 2007, tragedy struck in Virginia and reverberated around the world.

The Exciting Wilson Pickett

Wilson Pickett, born on this day in 1941, helped shape the sound of R&B with his energetic hits.

Pearl Bailey Riffs and Laughs

Pearl Bailey was so much more than an actress and singer.

Civil Rights Pioneers

Two little known pioneers in the civil rights struggles of the 1960s died within days of each other.

Remembering Randy Pausch

Not everybody can face a terminal diagnosis with humor and wisdom — but Randy Pausch wasn't just anybody.

Author Makes Posthumous Debut

This month, Virginia author Wendi Kaufman makes her literary debut with the release of "Helen on 86th Street and Other Stories," just a month after she died of cancer.

High School Football's Deadly Numbers

The 2014 high school football season got off to a deadly start.

Earl Hamner Jr. (1923 - 2016)

Earl Hamner Jr., the writer who created the long-running CBS television family series "The Waltons," has died, according to multiple news sources, including The Associated Press. He was 92. Hamner died of cancer Thursday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. "They broke the mold after they made him," his daughter Caroline said. Although Hamner is known best for creating "The Walton's," the Virginia-born writer also created the prime-time soap opera "Falcon Crest."

The True Story of Nat Turner

A new movie premiering this weekend, "The Birth of a Nation," dramatizes the life of Nat Turner and the story of the 1831 slave revolt he led. While the movie will make Turner’s story more familiar to many, it does take liberties with many details. What is the true story of Nat Turner?

The Legacy of Loving

In 1958, Richard and Mildred Loving did a daring thing: They got married. It's something that millions of people in the U.S. do every year, but for the Lovings, it wasn't as easy as setting a date and picking out rings. In their home state of Virginia, their love was a felony.

Bob Holland (1928–2017), Virginia Beach surfing legend

Virginia Beach surfing legend.

Heather Heyer

American who stood up against hate was killed in Charlottesville.

Penny Chenery (1922–2017), owner of Triple Crown champion Secretariat

The first female president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association.

After His Girlfriend Was Killed, Chris Hurst Ran For Office on Sensible Gun Control — and Won

Two years ago, Chris Hurst lost his girlfriend, Alison Parker, to gun violence. Yesterday, he won a seat in Virginia's House of Delegates, defeating a candidate backed by the NRA.

Tracy Stallard (1937–2017), pitcher gave up Roger Maris' record 61st home run in 1961

Pitched for the Red Sox, Mets and Cardinals.

Keely Smith (1928 – 2017), singer known for her music and comedy act with Louis Prima

The duo won a Grammy for the song "That Old Black Magic"…

Hugh Wilson (1943–2018), creator of the classic sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati”

Directed and co-wrote the popular comedy “Police Academy”…

Wyatt Tee Walker (2018), civil rights pioneer

Helped assemble Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic "Letter From Birmingham Jail"…

Jhoon Rhee (1932–2018), "father of American Taekwondo"

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, the man known as the "father of American Taekwondo," has died at the age of 86.

Dorothy Cotton (1930–2018), civil rights pioneer

ATLANTA (AP) — Dorothy Cotton, a civil rights pioneer who worked closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has died.

Adrian Cronauer (1938–2018), "Good Morning, Vietnam" DJ

Robin Williams portrayed him in the film.

Maureen Beebe (2019), inspired children's book "Misty of Chincoteague"

Maureen Beebe Hursh was one of the inspirations for the classic children's novel "Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry.

Virginia Beach Shooting Victims

Twelve people were killed, and several more were wounded, in a shooting at Building No. 2 of the Virginia Beach Municipal Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Friday afternoon.

Suzanne Whang (1962–2019), former host of “House Hunters”

Suzanne Whang was the host of HGTV’s “House Hunters” from the show’s debut in 1999 through 2007. She was also an actress and comedian, and she had a recurring role as Polly Nguyen on “Las Vegas.” Whang played Carol Cheng on “General Hospital” and made appearances on shows including “Criminal Minds,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “Boston Legal.” She won the Best Up & Coming Comedian Award at the 2002 Las Vegas Comedy Festival and the Andy Kaufman Award at the 2004 New York Comedy Festival. She had been battling breast cancer for 13 years.

Rudy Boesch (1928–2019), Navy SEAL was a “Survivor” fan favorite

Rudy Boesch was a former Navy SEAL who competed in “Survivor: Borneo” in 2000, coming in third place and becoming a popular fan favorite.

Katherine Johnson (1918–2020), NASA's “Hidden Figures” hero

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who calculated orbital mechanics for the first crewed spaceflights for NASA. The story of her struggles as one of the African American women working as computers at NASA in the 1960s was made famous in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” which starred Taraji P. Henson as Johnson. Johnson’s calculations of the trajectory and launch window for Alan Shepard’s historic 1961 spaceflight were crucial to the success of the mission. She later helped calculate the trajectory for Apollo 11’s 1969 Moon landing, and she worked on the Space Shuttle program and on plans for a mission to Mars.

A funeral director in 2020: 'I worry about masks'

Sammy G. Oakey III is a fifth-generation funeral director, the president of in Roanoke, Virginia. In the 150 years since his great-great-grandfather founded the business, it has never changed quite as fast as it has in 2020.

John Warner (1927–2021), longtime U.S. Senator and sixth husband of Elizabeth Taylor

John Warner was a Republican U.S. Senator from Virginia who served from 1979 to 2009, as well as the former U.S. Secretary of the Navy.

Edward Shames (1922–2021), last surviving “Band of Brothers” officer

Edward Shames was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the last surviving officer from Easy Company, profiled in the book and miniseries “Band of Brothers.”

Charles G. Boyd (1938–2022), only Vietnam POW to become a four-star general

Charles G. Boyd was a retired four-star general in the U.S. Air Force and a homeland security expert.

Ralph Kiser (1965–2022), contestant on “Survivor: Redemption Island”

Ralph Kiser was a competitor on “Survivor: Redemption Island,” the show’s 22nd season.

Jim Hartz (1940–2022), former “Today Show” co-host

Jim Hartz was a broadcast journalist who co-hosted “The Today Show” alongside Barbara Walters in the 1970s.

Roland Mesnier (1944–2022), longtime White House pastry chef

Roland Mesnier was the White House pastry chef for 25 years, serving five presidents.

Barbara Ehrenreich (1941–2022), bestselling author of “Nickel and Dimed”

Barbara Ehrenreich was the author of books including “Nickel and Dimed,” in which she shared her experiences living on minimum wage.

University of Virginia shooting (2022)

Three students were killed, and two others were injured, in a shooting at the University of Virginia Sunday night.

Virginia Walmart Shooting (2022)

Six people were killed, and four others were injured, in a shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Tuesday, November 22.

Donald McEachin (1961–2022), U.S. Representative from Virginia

Donald McEachin was a politician who represented Virginia’s 4th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Gregory Allen Howard (1952–2023), Remember the Titans screenwriter

Gregory Allen Howard was a screenwriter known for writing the screenplays to movies including “Remember the Titans” and “Harriet.”

Vincent Stewart (1958–2023), Defense Intelligence Agency director 

Vincent Stewart was the former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the first Black man and first Marine to hold that position.

Pat Robertson (1930–2023), televangelist who hosted The 700 Club

Pat Robertson was a former Southern Baptist minister and political commentator who founded the Christian Broadcasting Network and hosted its flagship show, “The 700 Club,” since 1966.

Paxton Whitehead (1937–2023), actor in Friends, Mad About You 

Paxton Whitehead was an English actor who worked widely on Broadway and in movies, as well as playing memorable recurring roles on “Friends” and “Mad About You.” 

Jesse McReynolds (1929–2023), singer for bluegrass duo Jim and Jesse 

Jesse McReynolds was a singer and mandolin player who was one half of the long-running bluegrass duo, Jim and Jesse, and the oldest cast member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Lilli Vincenz (1937–2023), pioneering gay rights activist 

Lilli Vincenz was a filmmaker, psychotherapist, and LGBTQIA+ activist among the first lesbians to openly protest for equal treatment in front of the White House.