Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

British forces suffer major defeat in Battle of Trenton 240 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1776)

1770s, American Revolutionary War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The Crossing Part 5 (Just a Few More Miles)'

(Thursday, December 26, 1776, 8:00 a.m. local time; during the American Revolutionary War and the American Revolution) — General George Washington’s troops surprised the 1,500 Hessian troops under the command of Colonel Johann Rall today in Trenton, New Jersey, scoring decisive a victory in in the Battle of Trenton, taking 948 prisoners while suffering only 5 wounded. Continue reading British forces suffer major defeat in Battle of Trenton 240 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1776) →

Oscar Straus becomes first Jewish Cabinet member 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1906)

1900s, U.S. Presidents


Videos: 'Oscar Straus'

(Monday, December 17, 1906, 9:00 a.m. local time) — Oscar Straus, nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt, became the first Jewish Cabinet member today when he was sworn in as the third U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Continue reading Oscar Straus becomes first Jewish Cabinet member 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 17 1906) →

Vietnam War escalates with first U.S. air strikes near Hanoi and Haiphong 50 years ago #OTD this hour (Dec 13 1966)

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


'Vietnam: A Television History - America's Enemy [5/11]' (Dec. 13-14, 1966, at 33:29)

(Tuesday, December 13, 1966; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Operation Marigold, a secret attempt to reach a compromise solution to the Vietnam War, began to collapse today when U.S. President Lyndon Johnson resumed air strikes on Hanoi that continued into the next day. Continue reading Vietnam War escalates with first U.S. air strikes near Hanoi and Haiphong 50 years ago #OTD this hour (Dec 13 1966) →

Indiana becomes 19th state 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1816)

1810s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Indiana Bicentennial Minute 01'

(Wednesday, December 11, 1816) — President James Madison signed an act of Congress today admitting Indiana, located in the midwestern and Great Lakes regions of North America, into the Union as the nineteenth state. Continue reading Indiana becomes 19th state 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1816) →

Van Buren decisively defeats Harrison in presidential election 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1836)

1830s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1836'

(Wednesday, December 7, 1836, during the United States presidential election, 1836) — Democratic Vice President Martin Van Buren of New York was elected President of the United States today over Whig former Senator William H. Harrison of Ohio. Continue reading Van Buren decisively defeats Harrison in presidential election 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1836) →

Adams defeats Jefferson in presidential election 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1796)

1790s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1796'

(Wednesday, December 7, 1796, during the United States presidential election, 1796) — Federalist Vice President John Adams of Massachusetts was elected President of the United States today over Democratic-Republican former Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Continue reading Adams defeats Jefferson in presidential election 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1796) →

Bipartisan panel rebukes U.S. policy in Iraq 10 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 2006)

2000s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'WRAP Iraq Study Group meets Bush, delivers its recommendations, ADDS bite'

(Wednesday, December 6, 2006) — The bipartisan Iraq Study Group concluded today that President George W. Bush’s war policies had failed in almost every regard, and said the situation in Iraq was “grave and deteriorating.”

Monroe defeats King in presidential election landslide 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1816)

1810s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1816'

(Wednesday, December 4, 1816, during the United States presidential election, 1816) — Democratic-Republican Secretary of State James Monroe of Virginia was elected President of the United States today over Federalist Senator Rufus King of New York. Continue reading Monroe defeats King in presidential election landslide 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1816) →

Iran arms payment found illegally diverted to Nicaraguan Contras 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1986)

1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'President Reagan's Press Briefing in the Press Room, November 25, 1986'

(Tuesday, November 25, 1986, 12:05 p.m. EST; during the Iran–Contra affair) — U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese announced today that profits from covert weapons sales to Iran were illegally diverted to the anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua. Continue reading Iran arms payment found illegally diverted to Nicaraguan Contras 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1986) →

Former U.S. President Chester A. Arthur dies in New York City 130 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1886)

1880s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '#21 Chester A Arthur'

(Thursday, November 18, 1886, 5:10 a.m. local time) — Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States (1881-1885), having succeeded James A. Garfield upon the latter’s assassination, died today at his home at 123 Lexington Avenue in New York City of a stroke. Arthur was 57. Continue reading Former U.S. President Chester A. Arthur dies in New York City 130 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1886) →