Category Archives: 1940s

Fontainebleau conference begins 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (July 6 1946)

1940s


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 1' (Ho Chi Minh in Paris, Fontainebleau conference at 30:38)

(Saturday, July 6, 1946; during War in Vietnam (1945–46)) — The Fontainebleau conference, a negotiating session between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the French Fourth Republic, began today at the Palace of Fontainebleau (65 kilometers south of Paris), to reach agreement on a number of issues including Vietnamese independence.

U.S. President George W. Bush born in New Haven, Connecticut 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 6 1946)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'George W. Bush Bio: From the Military to the White House'

(Saturday, July 6. 1946, 7:26 a.m. EDT) — George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States (2001-2009), was born today at Grace-New Haven Hospital (now Yale–New Haven Hospital) in New Haven, Connecticut, as the first child of future President George Herbert Walker Bush and his wife, Barbara Pierce.

Fred M. Vinson takes oath as 13th Chief Justice 70 years ago #OTD (June 24 1946)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Fred M. Vinson Sworn In'

(Monday, June 24, 1946) — Fred M. Vinson, retiring Secretary of the Treasury, was sworn in as thirteenth Chief Justice of the United States today (succeeding the late Harlan F. Stone) at an unusual ceremony on the South Portico of the White House, where President Harry S. Truman said that the traditional respect of Americans for the courts would be enhanced by Vinson’s service on the bench.

John F. Kennedy wins first congressional primary 70 years ago today (June 18 1946)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Documentary American Experience JFK Like No Other Part I' (June 18, 1946, at 43:50)

(Tuesday, June 18, 1946) — John F. Kennedy, seeking his first public office, won today’s Democratic primary for the 11th Congressional seat in Massachusetts, out polling his nearest rival Mike Neville 19,426 votes to 10,875 votes to face Republican Lester Bowen in the general election.

Rail strike ends as Truman demands laws, including draft, to stop action against U.S. 70 years ago this hour (May 25 1946)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Truman & the Railroad Strike of 1946 - Part 3' (May 25, 1946)

(Saturday, May 25, 1946, 3:57 p.m. EST; during the Strike wave of 1945–46) — With only three minutes left before the U.S. Army would seize control of the nation’s railroads, the leaders of both striking railway workers’ unions signed a settlement at the White House. Continue reading Rail strike ends as Truman demands laws, including draft, to stop action against U.S. 70 years ago this hour (May 25 1946) →

Truman calls rail men to return at once, will use Army to run trains if they do not 70 years ago this hour (May 24 1946)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Truman & the Railroad Strike of 1946 - Part 1' (Truman address at 0:17)

(Friday, May 24, 1946, 9:00 p.m. EST; during the Strike wave of 1945–46) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman made a nationwide radio address tonight regarding the railway strike, and delivered an ultimatum: “If sufficient workers to operate the trains have not returned, by 4 p.m. tomorrow, as head of our government, I have no alternative but to operate the trains by using every means within my power … I shall ask our armed forces to furnish protection to every man who heeds the call of his country in this hour of need.” Continue reading Truman calls rail men to return at once, will use Army to run trains if they do not 70 years ago this hour (May 24 1946) →