Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Gap on key Watergate tape revealed 40 hours ago today (1973)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Video: 'Watergate: The 18 ½ Minute Gap and Haldeman's Notes'

(Wednesday, November 21, 1973; during the Watergate scandal) — U.S. President Richard Nixon’s attorney, J. Fred Buzhardt, today revealed the existence of an 18-1/2-minute gap in one of the White House tape recordings related to Watergate. It appears in a recording made on June 20, 1972, as Nixon discussed the break-in at the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate complex for the first time with his chief of staff, H. R. Haldeman. Continue reading Gap on key Watergate tape revealed 40 hours ago today (1973) →

President Kennedy leaves the White House 50 years ago this hour (1963)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '"FOUR DAYS IN NOVEMBER" (1964 DAVID L. WOLPER FILM)' (Kennedys depart White House at 13:38)

(Thursday, November 21, 1963, 10:50 a.m. EST; during the Cold War) — President and Mrs. Kennedy left the White House this morning by helicopter for Andrews Air Force Base to catch an 11:03 a.m. EST flight aboard Air Force One to Texas. Continue reading President Kennedy leaves the White House 50 years ago this hour (1963) →

United States and Soviet Union establish diplomatic relations 80 years ago this hour (1933)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Soviet Russia Recognized by US 1933/11/20'

(Thursday, November 16, 1933, 11:50 p.m. EST) — The United States and the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations tonight as President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a telegram to the Soviet leader Maxim Litvinov, expressing hope that United States-Soviet relations would “forever remain normal and friendly.” Continue reading United States and Soviet Union establish diplomatic relations 80 years ago this hour (1933) →

Former President Wilson calls U.S. course ‘cowardly’ in Armistice Day eve address 90 years ago this hour (1923)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Woodrow Wilson's 1923 Armistice Day Radio Address'

(Saturday, November 10, 1923, 8:38 p.m. ET) — On the eve of Armistice Day marking the fifth anniversary of the end of World War I, former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared tonight in a radio address from his Washington home that the attitude of this country since the World War had been “deeply ignoble,” “cowardly and dishonorable.”

Kennedy family relaxes at Wolf’s Head Farm in Virginia 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Atoka, November 1963: 10-11'

(Sunday, November 10, 1963) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy and his family and friends were filmed today at his new residence, Wolf’s Head Farm in Atoka, Virginia. At one point during a light-hearted moment, the president was nearly “eaten” by daughter Caroline’s pony Macaroni.

John Wilkes Booth performs for President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre 150 years ago today (1863)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


(Monday, November 9, 1863; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln watched actor John Wilkes Booth in the role of Raphael in The Marble Heart today from the same box at Ford’s Theatre in Washington that Lincoln would be assassinated by Booth 17 months later.

President Kennedy dictates thoughts regarding Vietnam coup 50 years ago today (1963)

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


Video: 'PRESIDENT KENNEDY DICTATES NOTES REGARDING VIETNAM (NOVEMBER 4, 1963)'

(Monday, November 4, 1963, evening; during the 1963 South Vietnamese coup, part of the Vietnam War, the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy reflected upon the tumultuous events that had transpired in Saigon over the previous weekend, the overthrow and murder of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Ding Nhu.

Reagan signs bill establishing King holiday 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ronald Reagan signs the MLK holiday bill into law.'

(Wednesday, November 2, 1983) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed a bill today establishing a federal holiday on the third Monday of January in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. It was observed for the first time on Jan. 20, 1986. Continue reading Reagan signs bill establishing King holiday 30 years ago today (1983) →

Leon Jaworski appointed new Watergate special prosecutor 40 hours ago today (1973)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate


Image: Robert Bork, Acting Attorney General speaking at the microphone in the White House Press Room (Nov. 1, 1973)

(Thursday, November 1, 1973; during the Watergate scandal) — Following the Saturday Night Massacre, Acting Attorney General Robert H. Bork today appointed Leon Jaworski to be the new Watergate special prosecutor, succeeding Archibald Cox, who was fired Oct. 20, 1973.

Kennedy questions whether Soviet Union abandoning moon race 50 years ago this hour (1963)

1960s, Cold War, space exploration, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'President John F. Kennedy's 63rd News Conference - October 31, 1963'

(Thursday, October 31, 1963, 4:00 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War and Space Race) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy told a news conference today that he “would not make any bets at all upon Soviet intentions” despite Premier Khrushchev’s statement that his country would not race to the moon but, rather, would profit from American experience in that field. Continue reading Kennedy questions whether Soviet Union abandoning moon race 50 years ago this hour (1963) →