Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

RFK to challenge LBJ for Democratic presidential nomination 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1968)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: '1968 Presidential Election: RFK Announces He's Running'

(Saturday, March 16, 1968, 10:00 a.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968; African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968); during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Four days after President Lyndon Johnson barely edged out anti-war candidate U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy of New York today entered the race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Continue reading RFK to challenge LBJ for Democratic presidential nomination 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1968) →

McCarthy’s showing in New Hampshire jolts Democrats 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1968)

1960s, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Our World Winter 1968 Part 4' (1968 New Hampshire primary at 0:29)

(Tuesday, March 12, 1968, polls closed at 8:00 .m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968, Republican Party presidential primaries, 1968 and during the Vietnam War) — President Lyndon Johnson barely edged out anti-war candidate U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota today in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, the opening event in nominations for the 1968 U.S. presidential election. Continue reading McCarthy’s showing in New Hampshire jolts Democrats 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1968) →

Request for additional 206,000 troops in Vietnam goes public 50 years ago#OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 10 1968)

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


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Tet [6/11]' (The New York Times report at 39:30)

(Sunday, March 10, 1968; during the Tet Offensive, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and Cold War) — General William Westmoreland, commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam, has asked for 206,000 more American troops for Vietnam, and the request has touched off a divisive internal debate within high levels of the Johnson Administration, The New York Times reported in today‘s paper, in a story dated Mar. 9, 1968.

President Lyndon Johnson had been briefed on the request on Feb. 28, 1968, and ordered Secretary of Defense-designate Clark Clifford to form a task force to conduct a complete review of U.S. policy in Vietnam, including the new request to increase troops.

Reagan invokes Rockne to boost optimism 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1988)

1980s, Movies 1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Remarks at the Unveiling of the Knute Rockne Commemorative Stamp, University of Notre Dame — 3/9/88'

(Wednesday, March 9, 1988, 1:00 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan made an emotional journey to South Bend, Indiana, today to the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, scene of one of his most memorable films, Knute Rockne, All American. Continue reading Reagan invokes Rockne to boost optimism 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1988) →

Rose Kennedy sails to England with 5 of 9 children 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1938)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'American Experience The Kennedys 1' (Kennedys depart at 27:41)

(Wednesday, March 9, 1938) — The wife and five of the nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy, United States Ambassador to England, sailed today from New York Harbor aboard the 24,189-ton luxury liner SS Washington to join him in London. Continue reading Rose Kennedy sails to England with 5 of 9 children 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1938) →

President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial begins 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 5 1868)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Videos: 'Andrew Johnson battle the Radical Republicans'/Impeachment of Andrew Johnson'

(Thursday, March 5, 1868, 1:00 p.m. local time) — The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, accused of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors” by attempting to fire Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton in violation of the Tenure of Office Act, began today in the U.S. Senate with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase presiding. Continue reading President Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial begins 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 5 1868) →

Clark Clifford sworn in as defense chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968)

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


Video: 'The President: March 1968. MP894.' (Mar. 1, 1968, at 1:25)

(Friday, March 1, 1968, 12 noon EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Clark Clifford, a Washington lawyer and adviser to Democratic presidents for two decades, was sworn in today succeed Robert McNamara as the U.S. Secretary of Defense in a White House East Room ceremony with President Lyndon Johnson in attendance. Continue reading Clark Clifford sworn in as defense chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968) →

LBJ lauds outgoing defense chief McNamara 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968)

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


Video: 'The President: February 1968. MP893.' (Feb. 28, 1968, at 22:57)

(Wednesday, February 28, 1968, 1:20 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson gave the Medal of Freedom today to his departing Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, and praised him as a “brilliant and good man.” Continue reading LBJ lauds outgoing defense chief McNamara 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968) →

U.S. military seeks another 206,000 troops in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968)

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


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Tet [6/11]' (Wheeler-Westmoreland proposal at 31:33)

(Wednesday, February 28, 1968, 8:35-11:15 a.m. EST; during the Tet Offensive, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. General Earle Wheeler, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, just back from Vietnam, told President Lyndon Johnson today at the White House that General William Westmoreland, commanding U.S. forces in Vietnam, will need an additional 206,000 soldiers “for a proposed ceiling of 731,756.” Continue reading U.S. military seeks another 206,000 troops in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968) →

President Andrew Johnson impeached 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 24 1868)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Videos: 'Andrew Johnson battle the Radical Republicans'/Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

(Monday, February 24, 1868, 4:58 p.m. local time) — The U.S. House of Representatives voted 126 to 47 today in favor of a resolution to impeach President Andrew Johnson for high crimes and misdemeanors, three days following his attempt to dismiss of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Continue reading President Andrew Johnson impeached 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 24 1868) →