Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Donna Rice refuses to say if she had sex with Gary Hart 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 18 1987)


Video: 'ABC News 20/20- June 18, 1987 (partial)'

(Thursday, June 18, 1987, 10:00 p.m. EDT) — Model and actress Donna Rice said in an interview broadcast tonight that as a matter of “dignity” she wouldn’t say whether or not she had a sexual relationship with married presidential candidate Gary Hart. Continue reading Donna Rice refuses to say if she had sex with Gary Hart 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 18 1987)

Thurgood Marshall nominated as first African-American justice on U.S. Supreme Court 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 13 1967)


Video: '"Thurgood Marshall Nominated to Supreme Court" (Washington DC, 6/13/1967)'

(Tuesday, June 13, 1967, noon EDT) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson today nominated Solicitor-General Thurgood Marshall to become the first African-American justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Continue reading Thurgood Marshall nominated as first African-American justice on U.S. Supreme Court 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 13 1967)

Reagan challenges Gorbachev to ‘tear down this wall!’ in Berlin 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 12 1987)


Video: 'President Reagan's Berlin Wall Speech - June 12, 1987'

(Friday, June 12, 1987, 2:20 p.m. CEST) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan, during a visit to the divided German city of Berlin, publicly challenged Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev today to “tear down this wall,” referring to the Berlin Wall which had divided West and East Berlin since 1961. Continue reading Reagan challenges Gorbachev to ‘tear down this wall!’ in Berlin 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 12 1987)

Former U.S. Vice President William A. Wheeler dies 130 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 4 1887)

(Saturday, June 4, 1887, 10:10 a.m. local time)William A. Wheeler, the 19th Vice President of the United States from 1877 to 1881, during the administration of President Rutherford B. Hayes, died today at his home in Malone, New York. He was 67.

U.S. President John F. Kennedy born in Brookline, Massachusetts 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1917)


Video: 'President Kennedy's family reflects on his 100th birthday'

(Tuesday, May 29, 1917, 3:00 p.m. local time)John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States (1961-1963), was born John Fitzgerald Kennedy today at 83 Beals Street in Brookline, Massachusetts, to businessman/politician Joseph Patrick “Joe” Kennedy and philanthropist/socialite Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald Kennedy. Continue reading U.S. President John F. Kennedy born in Brookline, Massachusetts 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1917)

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge opens 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 27 1937)


Video: 'The Golden Gate Bridge Opens - 1937 | Today in History | 27 May 16'

(Thursday, May 27, 1937, 6:00 a.m. PDT) — The Golden Gate Bridge, the longest suspension bridge main span in the world (until 1964) at 4,200 feet, linking San Francisco, California, to Marin County over the Golden Gate strait, was opened to pedestrian traffic today (vehicles began crossing the next day after President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed a button in Washington signaling that vehicular traffic could begin crossing the bridge). Continue reading San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge opens 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 27 1937)

President Carter stresses commitment to human rights 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 22 1977)


Video: 'President Jimmy Carter - University of Notre Dame Commencement'

(Sunday, May 22, 1977, 3:25 p.m. EDT) — In a commencement address delivered today at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, President Jimmy Carter reaffirmed his commitment to human rights as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy and disparaged the “inordinate fear of communism which once led us to embrace any dictator who joined us in that fear” (click here to watch an extended clip of the address). Continue reading President Carter stresses commitment to human rights 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 22 1977)

President Truman signs bill implementing doctrine to fight spread of communism 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 22 1947)


Video: 'American Experience Truman 2' (May 22, 1947, at 22:06)

(Thursday, May 22, 1947, 8:00 a.m. CDT; during the Cold War) — With a pledge that the United States will act, as well as talk, in support of the United Nations, U.S. President Harry S. Truman today signed the Greek-Turkish aid bill, providing $400 million in military and economic aid to Turkey and Greece and implementing the Truman Doctrine to fight the spread of communism. Continue reading President Truman signs bill implementing doctrine to fight spread of communism 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 22 1947)

Wilson signs Selective Service Act, denies Roosevelt’s request to command volunteer division 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 18 1917)

(Friday, May 18, 1917; during World War I) — U.S. President Woodrow Wilson today signed the Selective Service Act of 1917, which gave him the power to conscript men ages 21 to 30 and the option of calling up 500,000 volunteers. Continue reading Wilson signs Selective Service Act, denies Roosevelt’s request to command volunteer division 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 18 1917)

Robert F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan face off on TV 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 15 1967)


Video: 'CBS News: Town Meeting of the World, May 15, 1967'

(Monday, May 15, 1967, 10:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. EDT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a Democrat representing New York state, and California Governor Ronald Reagan, a Republican, faced each other on CBS-TV tonight and made clear their differing stands of issues concerning the war in Vietnam during a trans-Atlantic discussion between students of Europe, Asia, Africa and England. Continue reading Robert F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan face off on TV 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 15 1967)