Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1917)


Video: 'Why Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizen'

(Friday, March 2, 1917) — Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship today as President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act. Continue reading Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1917)

Hayes declared winner in disputed 1876 presidential election this hour 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1877)

(Friday, March 2, 1877, 4:10 a.m. local time) — Just three days before his public inauguration, Republican presidential candidate Rutherford B. Hayes was declared the winner of the 1876 presidential election today, defeating the Democrat Samuel J. Tilden in one of the most disputed elections in American history. Continue reading Hayes declared winner in disputed 1876 presidential election this hour 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1877)

Nebraska becomes 37th state 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1867)


Video: 'Nebraska 150 Sesquicentennial'

(Friday, March 1, 1867)Nebraska, which lies in both the Great Plains and the Midwestern United States, became the 37th state today as President Andrew Johnson reluctantly signed a proclamation. Continue reading Nebraska becomes 37th state 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1867)

Regan fired, replaced by Baker as White House chief of staff 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 27 1987)

(Friday, February 27, 1987, afternoon EST) — President Ronald Reagan moved dramatically today to revive his troubled presidency by replacing Donald T. Regan with former Senator Howard H. Baker Jr. as the White House chief of staff (click here to watch Baker’s news conference).

Reagan announced the change a day after a special presidential review commission harshly criticized his detached style of management and blamed Regan for “chaos” in the White House after disclosures of the secret Iran policy.

Tower report: President Reagan, chief advisers responsible for ‘chaos’ in Iran arms deal 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 26 1987)


Video: ‘2/26/87: Tower Commission Report’

(Thursday, February 26, 1987, 11:00 a.m. EST) — The Tower Commission, which investigated the Iran-Contra affair, portrayed U.S. President Ronald Reagan today as a confused and remote figure who failed to understand or control the secret arms deal with Iran, and who thus had to “take responsibility” for a policy that in the end caused ”chaos” at home and embarrassment abroad. Continue reading Tower report: President Reagan, chief advisers responsible for ‘chaos’ in Iran arms deal 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 26 1987)

President Theodore Roosevelt signs Immigration Act of 1907 110 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 20 1907)

(Wednesday, February 20, 1907) — U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt today signed an immigration act which excluded “idiots, imbeciles, feebleminded persons, epileptics, insane persons” from being admitted to the United States.

25th Amendment to U.S. Constitution ratified 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 10 1967)


Video: 'The 25th amendment- leighton arnold'

(Friday, February 10, 1967, 10:44 a.m. PST) — The Twenty-fifth Amendment (Amendment XXV) to the U.S. Constitution, dealing with presidential disability and succession, was ratified today as Nevada adopted it. Continue reading 25th Amendment to U.S. Constitution ratified 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 10 1967)

Obama formally kicks off presidential campaign in Springfield, Illinois 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 10 2007)


Video: 'Barack Obama's Presidential Announcement'

(Saturday, February 10, 2007, shortly after 10:00 a.m. CST) — Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, standing before the Old State Capitol where Abraham Lincoln began his political career, formally announced his candidacy for the White House on today by presenting himself as an agent of generational change who could transform a government hobbled by cynicism, petty corruption and “a smallness of our politics.” Continue reading Obama formally kicks off presidential campaign in Springfield, Illinois 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 10 2007)

Former Reagan NSC advisor Bud McFarlane attempts suicide 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 9 1987)


Video: 'February 1987 - Mitch Daniels on Troubles of John McFarlane'

(Monday February 9, 1987, at about 8:00 a.m. EST) — Robert McFarlane, the former White House national security adviser and a prominent figure in investigations of the secret sale of arms to Iran, was admitted to Bethesda Naval Hospital today after taking an overdose of Valium, according to his lawyers. Continue reading Former Reagan NSC advisor Bud McFarlane attempts suicide 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 9 1987)

Senate elects Richard Mentor Johnson as 9th U.S. Vice President 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 8 1837)


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1836'

(Wednesday, February 8, 1837, during the United States presidential election, 1836) — Democratic Rep. Richard Mentor Johnson of Kentucky became the first Vice President of the United States chosen by the Senate today, defeating Whig VP nominee Rep. Francis Granger of New York by a vote of 36 to 16 divided strictly along party lines. Continue reading Senate elects Richard Mentor Johnson as 9th U.S. Vice President 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 8 1837)