Video: 'Frances Cleveland'
(Wednesday, October 29, 1947, 12 noon EST) — Former First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston, who at age 21, remains the youngest wife of a sitting U.S. president, died today at the home of her son, Richard F. Cleveland, in Baltimore at age 83. Continue reading Youngest American first lady dies 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 29 1947)
(Wednesday, October 28, 1987, 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. CST) — The six Republican presidential candidates faced off in their first debate of the 1988 campaign tonight in Houston, and five of them aimed sharp attacks or subtle barbs at Vice President George H.W. Bush, who is far ahead of his adversaries in the public opinion polls. Continue reading Bush draws foes’ fire in first 1988 GOP presidential debate 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 28 1987)
(Saturday, October 14, 1967) — Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower unveiled today the cornerstone of a new National Presbyterian Church that will replace the one he attended while he was in office (click here to watch video). Continue reading Eisenhower feted on 77th birthday 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1967)
Video: 'American Experience The Kennedys 1' (Oct. 1947, at 51:38)
(Saturday, October 11, 1947) — U.S. Rep. John F. Kennedy, 30, cut short his seven-week European tour today and sailed for home from Southampton, England, after being diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare disorder of the adrenal glands, which regulate metabolism and the body’s response to stress and inflammation. Continue reading JFK, diagnosed with Addison’s disease, departs England 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 11 1947)
Video: 'The President: October 1967. MP889.' (Oct. 10, 1967, at 12:25)
(Tuesday, October 10, 1967, 11:25 a.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — The Outer Space Treaty, prohibiting the placing of weapons of mass destruction on the moon or elsewhere in space, took effect today at a ratification ceremony held at the East Room of the White House. Continue reading Outer Space Treaty enters into force 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 10 1967)
Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 10' (Oct. 6, 1967, at 16:58)
(Friday, October 6, 1967, 12:24 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — At the height of the Vietnam War and his war on poverty at home, President Lyndon Johnson asked today for public pressure to help him get a tax increase and challenged Congress to face that unpleasant task “reasonably, not politically.” Continue reading Johnson urges public to press for tax increase 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 6 1967)
Video: '"Thurgood Marshall Nominated to Supreme Court" (Washington DC, 6/13/1967)'
(Monday, October 2, 1967, morning EDT; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — Thurgood Marshall was sworn in today by Chief Justice Earl Warren as the first black U.S. Supreme Court justice in the nation’s history. Continue reading Thurgood Marshall sworn-in as first African-American justice on U.S. Supreme Court 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 2 1967)
Video: 'Eyes On The Prize - (Part 2) Fighting Back 1957–1962' (Sept. 25, 1957, at 18:36)
(Wednesday, September 25, 1957, 9:25 a.m. CDT; during the Little Rock Crisis, part of the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968)) — Nine black students who’d been forced to withdraw from Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, because of unruly white crowds were escorted to class this morning by members of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division without serious disorder. Continue reading U.S. Army troops escort ‘Little Rock Nine’ to school 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 25 1957)
Video: 'Constitution Convention 11 minutes'
(Monday, September 17, 1787) — The United States Constitution, the supreme law of the United States of America featuring the separation of powers doctrine, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches (legislative, executive and judicial), was completed and signed today by a majority of delegates (39) attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Continue reading United States Constitution completed and signed 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 17 1787)
Video: '#27 William Howard Taft'
(Tuesday, September 15, 1857) — William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States (1909-1913) and the tenth Chief Justice of the United States (1921–1930), was born today in Cincinnati, Ohio. Continue reading U.S. President William Howard Taft born in Cincinnati 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1857)
