Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Democrats nominate Johnson-Humphrey ticket 130 years ago tonight (Aug 26 1964)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Pres. Johnson Names Vice-President At Democratic Convention (1964)' (Aug. 26, 1964, at 0:00-2:48)

(Wednesday, August 26, 1964, evening EDT) — Lyndon Baines Johnson of Texas, the man who took over the presidency last Nov. 22 in the shattering hour of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, was nominated by acclamation for a term of his own tonight by the 1964 Democratic National Convention meeting at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Continue reading Democrats nominate Johnson-Humphrey ticket 130 years ago tonight (Aug 26 1964) →

Vice President Bush accepts GOP nomination for second term 30 years ago tonight (Aug 23 1984)

1980s, U.S. Presidents

((Thursday, August 23, 1984, evening CDT) — U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush accepted the nomination for a second term tonight at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, describing the 1984 election as a historic dividing line in American politics (click here to watch a video of the speech).

By winning election to a second term, the Vice President said in his acceptance speech, he and President Ronald Reagan would establish the Republicans as “the party of the future.”

Republicans nominate Reagan and Bush for second terms 30 years ago tonight (Aug 22 1984)

1980s, U.S. Presidents

GOP

(Wednesday, August 22, 1984) — President Ronald Reagan was unanimously nominated for a second term in Dallas tonight in an action that touched off the first sustained, deeply enthusiastic demonstrations of the 1984 Republican National Convention (click here for video of today’s convention). Continue reading Republicans nominate Reagan and Bush for second terms 30 years ago tonight (Aug 22 1984) →

Roosevelt, Truman pose for pictures 70 years ago this hour (Aug 18 1944)

1940s, U.S. Presidents

(Friday, August 18, 1944, 12:45 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — President Franklin Roosevelt hosted a private luncheon today with new running mate Sen. Harry Truman at the White House. Roosevelt told Truman nothing of importance, posed for photographers and made small talk (click here to watch a clip from today on “The Presidents: Truman” at 1:29:15)

President Reagan caught joking about ‘bombing’ Russia 30 years ago today (Aug 11 1984)

1980s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'We begin bombing Russia in five minutes anniversary of Cold War era joke'

(Saturday, August 11, 1984; during the Cold War) — During a voice test for a paid political radio address, U.S. President Ronald Reagan joked that he had “signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

Former President Nixon declares ‘we’re home’ upon arrival in California 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: '"AIR FORCE ONE: THE PLANES AND THE PRESIDENTS" (1991)' (Nixons arrive in California on Aug. 9, 1974, at 41:23)

(Friday, August 9, 1974, 11:56 a.m. PDT; during the Watergate scandal) — Former U.S. President Richard Nixon declared “we’re home” today as he addressed 5,000 people who came out to greet him and his wife, former First Lady Pat Nixon, upon their arrival at El Toro Marine Base in California.

A helicopter then whisked the Nixons to La Casa Pacifica, their sprawling seaside villa near San Clemente. Nixon’s term of office had officially expired three hours, 21 minutes before, having become the first president to resign in disgrace.

President Nixon gives V sign as he departs White House 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - The End of the Tunnel [11/11]' (Aug. 9, 1974, at 17:33)

(Friday, August 9, 1974, 10:00 a.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — U.S. President Richard Nixon, having been escorted by Vice President Gerald Ford, his wife Betty and Nixon’s wife Pat, mounted the steps of a waiting helicopter this morning on the South Lawn of the White House. Continue reading President Nixon gives V sign as he departs White House 40 years ago this hour (Aug 9 1974) →

CBS reports Nixon will resign tonight, Ford will be sworn-in tomorrow 40 years ago this hour (Aug 8 1974)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'Walter Cronkite announces President Nixon's resignation1974'

(Thursday, August 8, 1974, 5:30 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — “Good evening. President Nixon will reportedly will announce his resignation tonight and Vice President Ford will become the nation’s 38th President tomorrow,” said anchorman Walter Cronkite, opening tonight’s edition of the CBS Evening News.

American First Lady Ellen Wilson dies 100 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1914)

1910s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Woodrow Wilson Part 1 of 2' (Ellen's death at 1:14:08)

(Thursday, August 6, 1914, 5:00 p.m. ) — American First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson, the 54-year-old wife of President Woodrow Wilson, died this afternoon in the White House of Bright’s disease.