Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

LBJ stuns nation, says he won’t seek re-election 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968)

1960s, Cold War, Television 1960s, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'President Johnson's Address to the Nation, 3/31/68. MP600.'

(Sunday, March 31, 1968, 9:01-9:41 p.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968: during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson stunned the country tonight by announcing during a televised address on the Vietnam War from the White House that he would not seek re-election: “I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President.” Continue reading LBJ stuns nation, says he won’t seek re-election 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968) →

LBJ rehearses Vietnam War TV speech 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Rare Footage of President Johnson Rehearsing March 31, 1968 Speech'

(Sunday, March 31, 1968, 3:03-3:36 p.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson practiced tonight’s nationally televised speech about the Vietnam War in front of cameras and teleprompter this afternoon in the Oval Office at the White House. Continue reading LBJ rehearses Vietnam War TV speech 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1968) →

U.S. Vice President Al Gore born 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1948)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Al Gore: Mini Biography'

(Wednesday, March 31, 1948) — Al Gore, the 45th Vice President of the United States who served under President Bill Clinton (1993-2001) and as the 2000 Democratic nominee, won the presidential popular vote (but narrowly lost the Electoral College), was born Albert Arnold Gore Jr. today in Washington, D.C. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Al Gore born 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1948) →

Jimmy Durante hosts ‘The Hollywood Palace’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 30 1968)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Our World Winter 1968 Part 4' (Mar. 30, 1968, at 7:06)

(Saturday, March 30, 1968, 9:30-10:30 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — On the night before President Lyndon Johnon’s national television address on the Vietnam War, host Jimmy Durante, 75, opened tonight’s edition of The Hollywood Palace TV variety show with a rousing rendition of “Old Man Time.” Continue reading Jimmy Durante hosts ‘The Hollywood Palace’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 30 1968) →

LBJ’s ‘wise men’ turn against Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 26 1968)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Our World Winter 1968 Part 4' (Mar. 26, 1968, at 3:24)

(Tuesday, March 26, 1968, 1:15 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — After long supporting and encouraging President Lyndon Johnson’s conduct of the Vietnam War, a majority of his foreign policy experts, a group of elder statesmen and retired generals informally known as “the Wise Men,” informed him bluntly today at the White House that “an American military solution in Vietnam was no longer attainable” and that he should take steps to disengage the U.S. from further participation. Continue reading LBJ’s ‘wise men’ turn against Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 26 1968) →

LBJ recalls Westmoreland to become Army chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 22 1968)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War

(Friday, March 22, 1968, 5:38-6:06 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson announced today at a news conference his intention to appoint Gen. William C. Westmoreland as Army Chief of Staff, replacing him as commander of American forces in Vietnam sometime before July 2, 1968. Continue reading LBJ recalls Westmoreland to become Army chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 22 1968) →

Rockefeller says he won’t run for president 50 years ago this afternoon (Mar 21 1968)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'KEVU April Part 2 1968 Oregon Primary RDTV' (Mar. 21, 1968, at 3:36)

(Thursday, March 21, 1968, announcement scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST; during the Republican Party presidential primaries, 1968) –Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, the leader of the GOP’s liberal wing, dropped a political bombshell today at the New York Hilton Hotel by announcing that he will not be a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, leaving former Vice President Richard Nixon as the only active contender. Continue reading Rockefeller says he won’t run for president 50 years ago this afternoon (Mar 21 1968) →

Wilson signs first law establishing daylight saving time 100 years ago today (Mar 19 1918)

1910s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Daylight Saving Time Explained'

(Sunday, March 19, 1918) — President Woodrow Wilson today signed the first law establishing daylight saving time in the United States, with clocks to be moved forward one hour from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. Continue reading Wilson signs first law establishing daylight saving time 100 years ago today (Mar 19 1918) →

LBJ asks for ‘austerity’ to win Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1968)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'American Experience LBJ 2' (Mar. 18, 1968, at 1:18:32)

(Monday, March 18, 1968, 10:42 a.m. CST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968 and the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, speaking to delegates at the National Farmers Union Convention at the Leamington Hotel in Minneapolis, said today that the time had come for “austerity” and a “total national effort” to win the war and peace in Vietnam and solve domestic problems. Continue reading LBJ asks for ‘austerity’ to win Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1968) →

LBJ: ‘We are going to win’ Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1968)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'President Lyndon B. Johnson on Vietnam, March 1968 (2 clips)'

(Saturday, March 16, 1968, 10:05 a.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — As U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy was officially announcing on Capitol Hill that he would challenge President Lyndon Johnson for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination over the Vietnam War, Johnson told the National Alliance of Businessmen today at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington: “Make no mistake about it—I don’t want a man in here to go back home thinking otherwise—we are going to win.” Continue reading LBJ: ‘We are going to win’ Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1968) →