Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Roosevelt, Churchill meet at Quebec City to plan invasion of France 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 1/5' (Aug. 17-24, 1943, at 3:17)

(Tuesday, August 17, 1943,; during World War II) — The First Quebec Conference (codenamed “QUADRANT”), a highly secret military conference between the British, Canadian and United States governments, began today in Quebec City, Canada.

Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt (hosted by Canada’s prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King) would agree to begin discussions for the planning of the invasion of France and an increase in the bombing offensive against Germany.

There were also discussions about improving the coordination of efforts to develop an atomic bomb.

President Harding’s body laid to rest in Marion, Ohio 90 years ago this hour (1923)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Warren G. Harding: America's 29th President' (Aug. 10, 1923, at 13:42)

(Friday, August 10, 1923, 4:18 p.m. EST) — The casket containing the body of Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States, was placed in the vine-covered vault prepared for it in the Marion Cemetery today. It will rest there until his fellow townsmen decide on the form of the memorial they would erect to honor Marion’s greatest son.

President Harding’s body arrives in home town 90 years ago this hour (1923)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Warren G. Harding: America's 29th President' (Aug. 9, 1923, at 13:26)

(Thursday, August 9, 1923, 12:40 p.m. EST) — Traveling slowly through long lines of home folks, the funeral train carrying the body of President Warren G. Harding arrived today in Marion, Ohio. The body will lay in state at the home of the late president’s father before burial tomorrow.

JFK greeted by family after landing by helicopter at Hyannis Port 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Hyannis Port, August 1963: 2-5'

(Friday, August 2, 1963, late afternoon) — In a scene captured on film and widely shown in future years, a military helicopter carrying U.S. President John F. Kennedy landed today on the lawn of the Kennedy house at Hyannis Port. Waiting for him are his children and Jackie, obviously pregnant with the couple’s third child and in a simple pink summer dress.

President Roosevelt announces ‘first crack in the Axis,’ ends coffee rationing 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Franklin D. Roosevelt's War Progress Report'

(Wednesday, July 28, 1943, 9:30 p.m. EWT; during the Allied invasion of Sicily, part of the Italian Campaign of World War II) — During a speech on the fall of Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt informed the nation that “the first crack in the Axis has come.” He also announced the end of coffee rationing, which had limited people to one pound of coffee every five weeks since it began in November 1942.

Annoyed President Kennedy discusses excessively expensive bed for pregnant Mrs. Kennedy 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'JOHN F. KENNEDY TAPES: Angry at Furniture Purchase'

(Thursday, July 25, 1963) — On the same day the United States, the Soviet Union and Britain initialed a treaty in Moscow prohibiting the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, in space or underwater, an annoyed President John F. Kennedy discussed a with Arthur Sylvester and Gen. Godfrey McHugh a news report on the military purchase of an excessively expensive bed for the then-pregnant First Lady Jackie Kennedy. Continue reading Annoyed President Kennedy discusses excessively expensive bed for pregnant Mrs. Kennedy 50 years ago today (1963) →

Butterfield publicly reveals existence of Nixon’s secret taping system 40 years ago today (1973)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Watergate

(Monday, July 16, 1973; during the Watergate Scandal) — Former White House aide Alexander P. Butterfield publicly revealed the existence of President Richard Nixon’s secret taping system today during the Senate Watergate hearings. Butterfield had already told Senate Watergate Committee staff members privately on July 13, 1973.

Kennedy meets with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican 50 years today (1963)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Audio: 'July 2, 1963 - President John F. Kennedy visits Pope Paul VI in the Vatican City'

(Tuesday July 2, 1963) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy met Pope Paul VI today at the Vatican, the first meeting between a Catholic U.S. chief executive and the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The new pontiff told the young president that he had prayed for Kennedy’s efforts to end segregation in the United States.

Kennedy ends trip to Ireland with emotional farewell 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'June 29, 1963 - President John F. Kennedy arrives at Galway's sports ground, Ireland'

(Saturday, June 29, 1963) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy, grinning like a kid who has had the time of his life, said farewell today to Ireland. Continue reading Kennedy ends trip to Ireland with emotional farewell 50 years ago today (1963) →