Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr found not guilty of treason 210 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1807)


Video: 'United States v. Aaron Burr 1977 Judicial Conference of the United States'

(Tuesday, September 1, 1807) — Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr, charged with was found not guilty of treason today in Richmond, Virginia, due to lack of evidence. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr found not guilty of treason 210 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1807)

Senate confirms Marshall as first African-American justice #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 30 1967)


Video: 'Thurgood Marshall Appointed to Supreme Court 1967'

(Wednesday, August 30, 1967) — The Senate today confirmed Thurgood Marshall as the first African American Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by a vote of 69 to 11. Continue reading Senate confirms Marshall as first African-American justice #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 30 1967)

Wilson formally names Hoover food administrator 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 10 1917)

(Friday, August 10, 1917, early afternoon; during World War I)Herbert Hoover was named formally as the first director of the U.S. Food Administration today by President Woodrow Wilson, under authority invested in him by Congress, and immediately served notice on speculators and profiteers that the time of reckoning had come for those who would not cooperate in the efforts of the government to obtain lower prices for the consumer and help the allies of America in the war against Germany.

Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957)


Video: 'PBS LBJ Part 1' (Civil Rights Act of 1957 at 43:28)

(Wednesday, August 7, 1957, evening EDT) — The U.S. Senate tonight passed 72-18 the first federal civil rights legislation to become law in 82 years. Continue reading Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957)

Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr stands trial for treason 210 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 1807)


Video: 'United States v. Aaron Burr 1977 Judicial Conference of the United States' (trial at 45:45)

(Monday, August 3, 1807) — Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr went on trial today before a federal court in Richmond, Virginia, charged with treason (for assembling an armed force to take New Orleans and separate the Western from the Atlantic states) and high misdemeanor (for sending a military expedition against territories belonging to Spain). Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr stands trial for treason 210 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 1807)

President Coolidge declares: ‘I do not choose to run for President in nineteen twenty-eight’ 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1927)


Video: 'Calvin Coolidge -- I Do Not Choose to Run'

(Tuesday, August 2, 1927, 11:30 a.m. MDT) — U.S. President Calvin Coolidge today dramatically and unexpectedly, and without consultation with friends, issued the following statement to the correspondents at his “Summer White House” in the Black Hills in South Dakota: “I do not choose to run for President in nineteen twenty-eight.” Continue reading President Coolidge declares: ‘I do not choose to run for President in nineteen twenty-eight’ 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1927)

President Johnson forms panel to assess causes of riots 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967)


Video: 'Address to the Nation Regarding Civil Disorder, 7/27/67. MP593.'

(Thursday, July 27, 1967, 10:30 p.m. EDT) — President Lyndon B. Johnson announced tonight that he had appointed the Kerner Commission to investigate the epidemic of racial disorders and to recommend remedial measures to him, Congress, governors and mayors. Continue reading President Johnson forms panel to assess causes of riots 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967)

President Truman signs National Security Act of 1947 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 26 1947)

(Saturday, July 26, 1947, 12:15 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — President Harry S. Truman today (aboard his VC-54C presidential aircraft Sacred Cow, the first aircraft used for the role of Air Force One) signed the National Security Act of 1947, which merged the Department of War (renamed as the Department of the Army) and the Department of the Navy into the National Military Establishment (NME), headed by the Secretary of Defense. Continue reading President Truman signs National Security Act of 1947 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 26 1947)

LBJ orders 4,700 Army paratroopers to riot-torn Detroit 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 24 1967)


Video: 'Address to the Nation Regarding Civil Disorder, 7/24/67. MP593.'

(Monday, July 24, 1967, 11:58 p.m. EDT) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered 4,700 troops into the Detroit area today to help quell two days of rioting in the predominantly African-American inner city, saying “We will not tolerate lawlessness.” Continue reading LBJ orders 4,700 Army paratroopers to riot-torn Detroit 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 24 1967)

Senate votes down FDR’s plan to ‘pack’ Supreme Court 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 22 1937)

(Thursday, July 22, 1937, 2:55 p.m. EDT) — The U.S. Senate voted 70–20 today to defeat President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s controversial proposal to add more Supreme Court justices to obtain favorable rulings regarding New Deal legislation.