Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Truman throws a party for Churchill, Stalin at Potsdam 80 years ago this hour (July 19 1945)


Video: 'POTSDAM REVISITED: THE RIFLEMAN'S VIOLIN (JFI WinterFest '16 | Dir. Sam Ball)'

(Thursday, July 19, 1945, 8:30 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — In the spirit of their war-inspired partnership, President Harry S. Truman threw a party tonight for Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin at U.S. headquarters in Potsdam, occupied Germany during the Potsdam Conference, flying in two young American GI’s to entertain: pianist Eugene List and violinist Stuart Canin (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:01:32). Continue reading Truman throws a party for Churchill, Stalin at Potsdam 80 years ago this hour (July 19 1945)

Big Four present peace plans at Geneva 70 years ago this hour (July 18 1955)


Video: 'Big 4 at Geneva Summit; Miss Universe Parade 1955/7/18'

(Monday, July 18, 1955, first meeting began at 10:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin, British Prime Minister Anthony Eden and French Premier Edgar Faure met for a summit today in Geneva to begin discussions on peace.

Potsdam Conference of Truman, Churchill and Stalin called to order 80 years ago this hour (July 17 1945)


Video: 'Berlin including Churchill, Stalin and Truman at Potsdam Conference - 1945' (Potsdam Conference begins at 6:45)

(Tuesday, July 17, 1945, 5:10 p.m. CEST; during World War II) — The Potsdam Conference, convened to decide how to administer punishment to the defeated Nazi Germany and plan the final stages of the Pacific Theater of World War II, was called to order this afternoon at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern, in Potsdam, occupied Germany (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:57:58). Continue reading Potsdam Conference of Truman, Churchill and Stalin called to order 80 years ago this hour (July 17 1945)

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin calls on U.S. President Harry S. Truman in Babelsberg 80 years ago this hour (July 17 1945)

(Tuesday, July 17, 1945, 12:00 p.m. CEST; hours before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — Soviet leader Joseph Stalin called on U.S. President Harry S. Truman today at U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg, Germany, ahead of the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Stalin. (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:56:04).

U.S. President Harry S. Truman inspects ruins of Berlin 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)


Video: 'MP76-35 reel 1 - NEW FILM TRANSFER - President Truman’s Trip to the Berlin Conference' (Truman inspects Berlin ruins at 12:30)

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 4:57 p.m. CEST; one day before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, in Germany for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945), visited Berlin this afternoon to inspect the city’s ruins following the end of World War II in Europe (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:53:59).

President Truman inspects 2nd Armored ‘Hells on Wheels’ Division in Germany 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)


Video: 'President Truman reviews troops of the 2nd Armored Division, along a section of t...HD Stock Footage'

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 3:40 p.m. CEST; one day before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, in Germany for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945), left U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg this afternoon to inspect the ruins of Berlin,stopping to inspect the famous 2nd Armored “Hells on Wheels” Division drawn up along the wide AVUS super-highway between Potsdam and Berlin.

British PM Winston Churchill calls on U.S. President Harry S. Truman in Babelsberg 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)


Video: 'MP76-35 reel 1 - NEW FILM TRANSFER - President Truman’s Trip to the Berlin Conference' (Truman and Churchill at 19:24)

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 11:00 a.m. CEST; one day before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — Prime Minister Winston Churchill called on U.S. President Harry S. Truman this morning at U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg, Germany, ahead of the Potsdam Conference with Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945). (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:53:14).

Judge Thurgood Marshall named first African-American U.S. Solicitor General 60 years ago this hour (July 13 1965)


Video: 'July 13, 1965 | LBJ Press Conference'

(Tuesday, July 13, 1965, 1:00 p.m. EDT) — President Lyndon B. Johnson today nominated Judge Thurgood Marshall to become the first African-American U.S. Solicitor General, the person appointed to represent the federal government before the U.S. Supreme Court. Continue reading Judge Thurgood Marshall named first African-American U.S. Solicitor General 60 years ago this hour (July 13 1965)

Four Lincoln assassination conspirators executed 160 years ago this hour (July 7 1865)


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (July 7, 1865, at 31:48)

(Friday, July 7, 1865, 1:26 p.m. local time) — Four people, including Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt, were hanged today in the Old Arsenal Penitentiary courtyard in Washington, D.C., after being convicted of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Continue reading Four Lincoln assassination conspirators executed 160 years ago this hour (July 7 1865)