Video: 'Schechter Poultry vs US (1935): US History Review'
(Monday, May 27, 1935; during the Great Depression) — The U.S. Supreme Court today decided Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, which held the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), a major piece of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, unconstitutional (click here for a clip of May 27, 1935, at 28:27 from “American Experience – S07E02 – FDR Parts 3 and 4 (October 12, 1994)).
Video: 'May 23, 1955 - Senator John F. Kennedy returns to the Senate‘
(Monday, May 23, 1955) — Senator John F. Kennedy returned to duty today from a seven-month absence made necessary by major back surgery.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 23, 1865 at 29:13)
(Tuesday, May 23, 1865, 9:00 a.m. local time) — The Grand Review of the Armies, a two-day military procession and celebration in Washington, D.C., following the close of the American Civil War, began today.
Elements of the Union Army paraded through the streets of the capital to receive accolades from the crowds and reviewing politicians, officials, and prominent citizens, including the President Andrew Johnson.
(Friday, May 22, 1835) — U.S. Vice President Martin Van Buren of New York was unanimously nominated president today at the 1835 Democratic National Convention meeting at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, more than 19 months ahead of the 1836 general election. Continue reading Democrats unanimously tap VP Martin Van Buren as Andrew Jackson’s successor 190 years ago today (May 22 1835)
Video: 'From U.S. Veep to Rebel General: Breckinridge's Path'
(Monday, May 17, 1875, 5:45 p.m. local time) — John C. Breckinridge, the 14th vice president of the United States, with President James Buchanan, from 1857 to 1861, died this afternoon at his Lexington, Kentucky, home from cirrhosis of the liver at age 54. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge dies 150 years ago this hour (May 17 1875)
Video: 'Rural Electrification Administration Documentary'
(Saturday, May 11, 1935; during the Great Depression) — The Rural Electrification Administration (REA), one of the New Deal agencies started under U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, was created today with the primary goal of promoting rural electrification.
(Tuesday, May 9, 1865, 12 noon local time; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation today declaring the American Civil War may be regarded as “virtually at an end” and that nations or ships still harboring fugitives would be denied entry into U.S. ports. Continue reading President Andrew Johnson declares American Civil War ‘virtually at an end’ 160 years ago this hour (May 9 1865)
Video: '[VE Day 75] President Harry Truman's speech for Victory in Europe Day newsreel 8 May 1945'
(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, 9:00 a.m. EWT; on the Western Front of World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, on his 61st birthday, announced on radio this morning that Nazi Germany’s forces had surrendered, and that “the flags of freedom fly all over Europe” (click here for a clip of this day on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:41:50). Continue reading President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)
Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender' (May 7, 1975, at 44:24)
(Wednesday, May 7, 1975, during the Cold War) — On the same day that the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, U.S. President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the “Vietnam era,” ending wartime veteran’s benefits for new military recruits.
Video: 'WPA (Works Progress Administration) - 1937'
(Monday, May 6, 1935; during the Great Depression) — The Works Progress Administration began operating under an executive order signed today by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
