(Tuesday, December 31, 1946, 10:30 a.m. EST) — U.S. President Harry Truman, in a surprise proclamation, terminated formally the period of hostilities in World War II as of noon today. Continue reading President Truman officially proclaims end of hostilities in World War II 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 31 1946)
Video: 'American Presidents - Woodrow Wilson 28th US President'
(Sunday, December 28, 1856) — Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States (1913-1921), was born Thomas Woodrow Wilson today at 18–24 North Coalter Street in Staunton, Virginia. Continue reading U.S. President Woodrow Wilson born in Staunton, Virginia 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 28 1856)
Video: 'Death of President Gerald R. Ford CNN Coverage 12-26/12-27-2006'
(Tuesday, December 26, 2006, 6:45 p.m. PST) — Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States (1974-1977), having succeeded Richard Nixon upon the latter’s resignation, died tonight at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, of arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease and diffuse arteriosclerosis. Continue reading Former U.S. President Gerald Ford dies in Rancho Mirage, California 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 2006)
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)
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: 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)
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)
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)
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)
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.”
