Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

U.S. President Harry S. Truman inspects ruins of Berlin 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'MP76-35 reel 1 - NEW FILM TRANSFER - President Truman’s Trip to the Berlin Conference' (Truman inspects Berlin ruins at 12:30)

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 4:57 p.m. CEST; one day before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, in Germany for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945), visited Berlin this afternoon to inspect the city’s ruins following the end of World War II in Europe (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:53:59).

President Truman inspects 2nd Armored ‘Hells on Wheels’ Division in Germany 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'President Truman reviews troops of the 2nd Armored Division, along a section of t...HD Stock Footage'

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 3:40 p.m. CEST; one day before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, in Germany for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945), left U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg this afternoon to inspect the ruins of Berlin,stopping to inspect the famous 2nd Armored “Hells on Wheels” Division drawn up along the wide AVUS super-highway between Potsdam and Berlin.

British PM Winston Churchill calls on U.S. President Harry S. Truman in Babelsberg 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'MP76-35 reel 1 - NEW FILM TRANSFER - President Truman’s Trip to the Berlin Conference' (Truman and Churchill at 19:24)

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 11:00 a.m. CEST; one day before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — Prime Minister Winston Churchill called on U.S. President Harry S. Truman this morning at U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg, Germany, ahead of the Potsdam Conference with Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945). (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:53:14).

Judge Thurgood Marshall named first African-American U.S. Solicitor General 60 years ago this hour (July 13 1965)

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


Video: 'July 13, 1965 | LBJ Press Conference'

(Tuesday, July 13, 1965, 1:00 p.m. EDT) — President Lyndon B. Johnson today nominated Judge Thurgood Marshall to become the first African-American U.S. Solicitor General, the person appointed to represent the federal government before the U.S. Supreme Court. Continue reading Judge Thurgood Marshall named first African-American U.S. Solicitor General 60 years ago this hour (July 13 1965) →

Four Lincoln assassination conspirators executed 160 years ago this hour (July 7 1865)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (July 7, 1865, at 31:48)

(Friday, July 7, 1865, 1:26 p.m. local time) — Four people, including Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt, were hanged today in the Old Arsenal Penitentiary courtyard in Washington, D.C., after being convicted of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Continue reading Four Lincoln assassination conspirators executed 160 years ago this hour (July 7 1865) →

U.S. President Harry S. Truman establishes Medal of Freedom 80 years ago today (July 6 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'The History of the Medal of Freedom: Honoring America's Greatest'

(Friday, July 6, 1945; during World War II) — The Presidential Medal of Freedom, intended to honor civilians whose actions aided in the war efforts of the U.S. and its allies, was created by President Harry S. Truman today through an executive order.

FDR signs National Labor Relations Act guaranteeing workers’ right to unionize 90 years ago today (July 5 1935)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'What is the National Labor Relations Act? | Union Facts Friday Episode 16'

(Friday, July 5, 1935, morning EDT; during the Great Depression) — The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, a foundational statute of U.S. labor law which guarantees basic rights of private sector employees to organize into trade unions, engage in collective bargaining for better terms and conditions at work, and take collective action including strike if necessary was signed today by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Continue reading FDR signs National Labor Relations Act guaranteeing workers’ right to unionize 90 years ago today (July 5 1935) →

Byrnes promises no policy change as he becomes Truman’s Secretary of State 80 years ago this hour (July 3 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (July 3, 1945, at 16:55)

(Tuesday, July 3, 1945, 11:00 a.m. EDT; during World War II) — Taking the oath of office within twenty-four hours after his nomination as Secretary of State, James F. Byrnes asserted today that there would be no change in basic foreign and peace policies charted by the late U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and no change in State Department personnel until after his return from the Big Three conference in Berlin later this month.

Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson, 46, suffers near-fatal heart attack 70 years ago today (July 2 1955)

1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'August 25, 1955 - Senator Lyndon B. Johnson before flying to Texas to recuperate from heart attack.'

(Saturday, July 2, 1955) — Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson, a 60-cigarette-per-day smoker, suffered a near-fatal heart attack today at age 46 and will be unable to return to active duty at this Congressional session (click here for a clip reporting on today’s event on “American Experience: LBJ” at 41:04).