Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

President Truman orders atomic bombs be dropped on Japan 80 years ago this hour (July 25 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (July 25, 1945, at 54:18)

(Wednesday, July 25, 1945, 5:15-7:30 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman today gave control of the atomic bombs to the military, which ordered that they be used as soon as the Potsdam Conference was over (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:06:32). Continue reading President Truman orders atomic bombs be dropped on Japan 80 years ago this hour (July 25 1945) →

Truman drops hint to Stalin about atomic bomb 80 years ago this hour (July 24 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (July 24, 1945, at 52:15)

(Tuesday, July 24, 1945, 5:15-7:30 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — At some point during a session of the Potsdam Conference tonight, U.S. President Harry S. Truman rose from his chair and walked slowly around the table to have a private word with Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, casually mentioning that “we had a new weapon of unusual destructive force,” Truman later wrote. Continue reading Truman drops hint to Stalin about atomic bomb 80 years ago this hour (July 24 1945) →

Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, 63, dies in Wilton, New York 140 years ago this hour (July 23 1885)

1880s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant: U.S President And Victor Of The American Civil War'

(Tuesday, July 23, 1885, 8:06 a.m. local time) — General Ulysses S. Grant, former President of the United States and victorious commander of Union forces in the American Civil War, died today at his cottage retreat upon Mount McGregor, after a long and painful battle with cancer of the throat. He was 63 years of age. Continue reading Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, 63, dies in Wilton, New York 140 years ago this hour (July 23 1885) →

Congress votes to restore American citizenship for Robert E. Lee 50 years ago this hour (July 22 1975)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Robert E. Lee - Mini Biography'

(Tuesday, July 22, 1975, just after 8:30 p.m. EDT) — On the eve of the 90th anniversary of Ulysses S. Grant’s death, U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate today in voting to restore the American citizenship of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee (President Gerald Ford would sign the measure on Aug. 5, 1975).

U.S. President Eisenhower presents ‘Open Skies’ proposal 70 years ago this hour (July 21 1955)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The 1955 Geneva Conference and Open Skies' (July 21, 1955, at 1:59)

(Thursday, July 21, 1955, 4:00-6:10 pm. CEST; during the Cold War) — During a summit in Geneva, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented his Open Skies proposal under which the U.S. and the Soviet Union would trade information on each other’s military facilities and allow aerial reconnaisance (the Soviets rejected the proposal).

U.S. President Truman briefed on atomic bomb test 80 years ago this hour (July 21 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'the manhattan project trinity test'

(Saturday, July 21, 1945, 3:45 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman received a description of the July 16, 1945, test of the atomic bomb today while at the Potsdam Conference, becoming fully aware of its awesome power for the first time (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:02:36). Continue reading U.S. President Truman briefed on atomic bomb test 80 years ago this hour (July 21 1945) →

Truman throws a party for Churchill, Stalin at Potsdam 80 years ago this hour (July 19 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'POTSDAM REVISITED: THE RIFLEMAN'S VIOLIN (JFI WinterFest '16 | Dir. Sam Ball)'

(Thursday, July 19, 1945, 8:30 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — In the spirit of their war-inspired partnership, President Harry S. Truman threw a party tonight for Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin at U.S. headquarters in Potsdam, occupied Germany during the Potsdam Conference, flying in two young American GI’s to entertain: pianist Eugene List and violinist Stuart Canin (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:01:32). Continue reading Truman throws a party for Churchill, Stalin at Potsdam 80 years ago this hour (July 19 1945) →

Big Four present peace plans at Geneva 70 years ago this hour (July 18 1955)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Big 4 at Geneva Summit; Miss Universe Parade 1955/7/18'

(Monday, July 18, 1955, first meeting began at 10:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin, British Prime Minister Anthony Eden and French Premier Edgar Faure met for a summit today in Geneva to begin discussions on peace.

Potsdam Conference of Truman, Churchill and Stalin called to order 80 years ago this hour (July 17 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Berlin including Churchill, Stalin and Truman at Potsdam Conference - 1945' (Potsdam Conference begins at 6:45)

(Tuesday, July 17, 1945, 5:10 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — The Potsdam Conference, convened to decide how to administer punishment to the defeated Nazi Germany and plan the final stages of the Pacific Theater of World War II, was called to order this afternoon at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern, in Potsdam, occupied Germany (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:57:58). Continue reading Potsdam Conference of Truman, Churchill and Stalin called to order 80 years ago this hour (July 17 1945) →

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin calls on U.S. President Harry S. Truman in Babelsberg 80 years ago this hour (July 17 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II

(Tuesday, July 17, 1945, 12:00 p.m. CEST; hours before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — Soviet leader Joseph Stalin called on U.S. President Harry S. Truman today at U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg, Germany, ahead of the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Stalin. (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:56:04).