Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Gene McCarthy to challenge LBJ for Democratic nomination 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1967)

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


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Tet [6/11]' (McCarthy campaigns at 43:30)

(Thursday, November 30, 1967, morning EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — In a direct challenge to the renomination of President Lyndon B. Johnson and his administration’s policies on the Vietnam War, U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota announced his candidacy for the 1968 Democratic Party presidential nomination today in the Senate caucus room on Capitol Hill. Continue reading Gene McCarthy to challenge LBJ for Democratic nomination 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1967) →

Caroline Kennedy born 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 27 1957)

1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '"KENNEDYS DON'T CRY" (1975)' (Kennedy's christening at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, December 13, 1957, at 26:02)

(Wednesday, November 27, 1957, 8:15 a.m. EST) — Caroline Kennedy, the first child of U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy, was born Caroline Bouvier Kennedy today at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan. Continue reading Caroline Kennedy born 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 27 1957) →

President Eisenhower suffers a slight stroke 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1957)

1950s, U.S. Presidents

(Monday, November 25, 1957, 4:00 p.m. EST) — Just hours after greeting King Mohammed V of Morocco at National Airport in Washington, President Dwight Eisenhower suffered a mild stroke late today as he found he could not complete his sentences while speaking to his secretary. Continue reading President Eisenhower suffers a slight stroke 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1957) →

U.S. Vice President Alben W. Barkley born 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 24 1877)

1870s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Remember the Veep: The Life of Alben Barkley'

(Saturday, November 24, 1877) — Alben W. Barkley, the 35th Vice President of the United States who served under President Harry S. Truman (1949-1953), was born today in Lowes, Kentucky. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Alben W. Barkley born 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 24 1877) →

Report: Reagan bears ‘ultimate responsibility’ for wrongdoing in Iran-Contra affair 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1987)

1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Documentary - Behind the Iran Contra Affair'

(Wednesday, November 18, 1987) — The congressional committees investigating the Iran-Contra affair issued their final report today, saying President Ronald Reagan failed to live up to his constitutional mandate to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed” and said he bore “the ultimate responsibility” for wrongdoing by his aides. Continue reading Report: Reagan bears ‘ultimate responsibility’ for wrongdoing in Iran-Contra affair 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1987) →

President Truman demands pay and price controls 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 17 1947)

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents

(Monday, November 17, 1947, at 1:30 p.m. EST; during the Second Red Scare and the Cold War) — President Harry S. Truman, in an address to a special session of Congress, asked Congress today for authority to impose price controls, consumer rationing and wage controls in limited areas of the national economy (click here to listen to Truman’s address). Continue reading President Truman demands pay and price controls 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 17 1947) →

‘We are making progress’ says LBJ on Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 17 1967)

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


Video: '11/17/1967: LBJ on Vietnam War'

(Friday, November 17, 1967, 11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Acting on optimistic reports by General William Westmoreland and U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam Ellsworth Bunker, President Lyndon Johnson said today at a press conference that his advisers had assured him that the war in Vietnam was going well, in response to a reporter’s question, and that it was a different kind of conflict. Continue reading ‘We are making progress’ says LBJ on Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 17 1967) →

President Carter toasts Shah of Iran at White House 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1977)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '45 85 Part 14' (Nov. 15, 1977, at 4:07)

(Tuesday, November 15, 1977, 9:40 p.m. EST; during the Arab–Israeli conflict) — U.S. President Jimmy Carter toasted the Shah of Iran tonight at a White House dinner, saying “We look upon Iran’s strength as an extension of our own strength, and Iran looks upon our strength as an extension of theirs.” Continue reading President Carter toasts Shah of Iran at White House 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1977) →

‘We’re making steady progress in Vietnam,’ says Ambassador Bunker 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1967)

Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Our World Winter 1968 Part 1' (Nov. 15, 1967, at 2:08)

(Wednesday, November 15, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam Ellsworth Bunker, having returned to Washington on Nov. 10, 1967, to report to President Lyndon Johnson, said today that “we’re making steady progress in Vietnam” following a two-hour closed-door briefing of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee. Continue reading ‘We’re making steady progress in Vietnam,’ says Ambassador Bunker 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1967) →

Thousands pour into Holland Tunnel after gala opening 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 12 1927)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Holland Tunnel Construction'

(Saturday, November 12, 1927, 4:55 p.m. EST) — The Holland Tunnel, a highway tunnel under the Hudson River between Canal Street in Manhattan in New York City and Jersey City in New Jersey, opened today to the public after President Calvin Coolidge, aboard his yacht, the Mayflower, at anchor in the Potomac River, pressed a button that rang a large brass bell at the entrance. Continue reading Thousands pour into Holland Tunnel after gala opening 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 12 1927) →