10 historic moments now on YouTube from AP

Move over PewDiePie -- the next wave of YouTube stars includes Babe Ruth, Marilyn Monroe and theBeatles.

The Associated Press and British Movietone made thousands of historical videos available for free onYouTube this week, with thousands more coming by the end of July. The archives date back 120years -- way before the first viral clip of a cat playing the piano.

The massive upload means anyone with an Internet connection can now witness some of the mosticonic moments of the past century without paying a dime.

"We are excited that everyone will be able to explore our collections free of charge, to share clipswith their friends and family, and even embed YouTube links to our material in their own websiteand blogs," said Jenny Hammerton, a film archivist with the AP Archive.

So far, about 180,000 clips have been uploaded to the AP Archive's YouTube channel, withHammerton saying they are adding about 30,000 more each day. The oldest is a film of two clownsjuggling in 1895 while the most recent videos are newsworthy items from this week.

When pressed to name her favorite video in the online archive, Hammerton chose a black-and-whiteclip of Marilyn Monroe arriving in London to promote her 1957 film "The Prince and the Showgirl."But the archivist added in an email, "My favorite video changes almost daily!"

Below are 10 stunning historical moments available now on YouTube through the AP Archives.

Two clowns juggle in Paris (1895)

The oldest clip in the online video archive shows a pair of clowns performing in Paris. Hammertoncalled it "a lovely film." It's interesting to note how close this video is to something seen on a TVreality competition program today.

Elvis performs in Tupelo, Mississippi (1956)

At 21 years old, Elvis Presley plays in front of a crowd in his hometown. This was the same year hisiconic recording of "Hound Dog" was released.

President John F. Kennedy's assassination (1963)

*Warning: Graphic footage

It's arguably the most famous amateur video ever recorded. This footage of the moment Kennedywas shot in Dallas has been digitally restored and added into the AP Archive on YouTube.

Models wear "futuristic" bridal fashions (1966)

Some of the clips in the archive are lighthearted and funny. For example, this 1966 news footageshows women trying on bold new wedding gowns in New York. The dresses look like rejectedcostumes from a science-fiction film.

Marilyn Monroe arrives in London to promote new film (1957)

Hammerton described this clip as her current favorite in the archive. "I love the fact that she looks abit disheveled after her transatlantic flight when she first arrives, then is transformed into the superglamorous Marilyn we know and love for the press conference," the AP film archivist said. Standingalongside Monroe in the video are Academy Award winners Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, aswell as Monroe's then-husband Arthur Miller.

See the Titanic before it sank, the iceberg that it hit and survivors of the crash (1912)

This news package from 1912 shows the legendary Titanic prior to departing on its doomed maidenvoyage. It also shows the icy area where the ship crashed with life rafts visible in the water, as wellas survivors being interviewed.

Hindenburg disaster (1937)

One of the most devastating pieces of video ever captured. The massive Hindenburg airship burstsinto flames before crashing to land in New Jersey - all caught on film. The crash killed 36 people butsomehow 62 passengers survived.

Babe Ruth takes swings after signing record contract (1930)

In American sports, there might be no greater legend than Babe Ruth. The record-setting slugger isseen -- and heard -- in this 1930 newsreel talking about his lucrative contract, worth about $80,000per year. The clip also shows Ruth taking a few swings in front of reporters.

Selma, Alabama mayor uses racial slur at speech talking about Martin Luther King, Jr. (1965)

This news footage collection accounts several events in Selma, Alabama during Martin Luther King'stransformative visit in 1965. At 3:22 of the video, Selma Mayor Joe Smitherman calls the civil rightsleader "Martin Luther Coon" at a press conference, before correcting himself. At 5:36, King is heardgiving a speech.

Atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan (1945)

This clip shows the United States airplane that dropped an atomic bomb on Japan during World WarII, as well as the mushroom cloud that was created after detonation. The bomb killed or injuredaround 140,000 people, according to some estimates.

Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.

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