Monthly Archives: April 2011

Reagan returns, gets huge ovation

1980s, U.S. Presidents

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T-7BnFo5ao

(Tuesday, April 28, 1981) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan made a tumultuous return to the public stage tonight, his first public appearance since a March 30 assassination attempt, saying in a speech before a joint session of Congress that his health was much improved but “our economic mess is not.”

Lincoln suspends Writ of Habeas Corpus

1860s, American Civil War


"The Civil War - Episode One: The Cause (1861)" (habeas corpus suspended @ 1:08:16)

(Saturday, April 27, 1861) — The writ of habeas corpus, a legal action or writ by means of which detainees can seek relief from unlawful imprisonment, was suspended by President Abraham Lincoln today in Maryland and parts of midwestern states, including southern Indiana, during the American Civil War.

President promises to be ‘candid’

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZYfeYhQ9eU
JFK speech on secret societies + transcript/subtitles

(Thursday, April 27, 1961) — President Kennedy told American newspaper publishers in New York tonight that his administration intends to be candid about his errors following the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. As a wise man once said, Kennedy recalled, “an error doesn’t become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.” “We intend,” he assured, “to accept full responsibility for our errors; and we expect you to point them out when we miss them.”