Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

U.S. Vice President William R. King, 67, dies of tuberculosis in Selma, Alabama, 170 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 18 1853)


Video: 'William Rufus King | Alabama Legacy Moment'

(Monday, April 18, 1853, 6:00 p.m. local time)William R. King, the 13th vice president of the United States, died today in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. of tuberculosis after 45 days in office. Continue reading U.S. Vice President William R. King, 67, dies of tuberculosis in Selma, Alabama, 170 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 18 1853)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 13 1943)


Video: 'Roosevelt Unveils Jefferson Memorial (1943)'

(Tuesday, April 13, 1943, 11:45 a.m.-12:35 p.m. EWT) — On the 200th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s birth and at the height of World War II, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the majestic Jefferson Memorial today in Washington, D.C., as a “shrine to freedom.” Continue reading President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 13 1943)

U.S. President Thomas Jefferson born in Shadwell, Virginia, 280 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 13 1743)


Video: 'Thomas Jefferson - Author of The Declaration of Indepence & 3rd U.S. President | Mini Bio | BIO'

(Wednesday, April 13, 1743)Thomas Jefferson, an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809, was born today at his family’s home in Shadwell, Goochland County, Virginia, now part of Albemarle County. Continue reading U.S. President Thomas Jefferson born in Shadwell, Virginia, 280 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 13 1743)

Lee Harvey Oswald attempts to assassinate retired U.S. Major General Edwin Walker at his Dallas home 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 10 1963)


Video: 'Aftermath of Assassination Attempt on Maj. Gen. Edwin Walker | Investigation & Interview | Apr. 1963'

(Wednesday, April 10, 1963, at approximately 9:00 p.m. CST) — Lee Harvey Oswald attempted to kill retired U.S. Major General Edwin Walker tonight, firing the Carcano rifle that he would use to assassinate President John F. Kennedy seven months and 12 days later. Continue reading Lee Harvey Oswald attempts to assassinate retired U.S. Major General Edwin Walker at his Dallas home 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 10 1963)

President Richard Nixon announces all U.S. combat troops out of South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1973)


Video: 'President Richard Nixon Address to the Nation On Vietnam and Domestic Problems, March 29, 1973'

(Thursday, March 29, 1973, 9:01 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — “For the first time in 12 years, no American military forces are in Vietnam,” President Richard Nixon declared tonight during a national address on television and radio, ending the United States’ direct military involvement in a war that didn’t officially end until 1975. Continue reading President Richard Nixon announces all U.S. combat troops out of South Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1973)

U.S. President Ronald Reagan calls for development of ‘Star Wars’ anti-nuclear missile defense system 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1983)


Video: 'National Security: President Reagans Address on Defense and National Security 3/23/83'

(Wednesday, March 23, 1983, 8:02 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan tonight called for the development of an anti-missile defense system to protect the United States from potential nuclear attacks. Continue reading U.S. President Ronald Reagan calls for development of ‘Star Wars’ anti-nuclear missile defense system 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1983)

U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax born in New York City 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1823)


Video: 'Schuyler Colfax, early Indiana Republican and Vice President'

(Sunday, March 23, 1823)Schuyler Colfax, the 17th vice president of the United States who served from 1869 to 1873 during the first administration of President Ulysses S. Grant, was born today in New York City. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax born in New York City 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1823)

White House Counsel John Dean warns U.S. President Richard Nixon that Watergate cover-up has become ‘a cancer’ on the presidency 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1973)


Video: 'Richard Nixon John Dean Full Cancer on the Presidency Session March 21 1973'

(Wednesday, March 21, 1973, 10:12-11:55 a.m. EST; during the Watergate scandal) — In a private conversation that was recorded in the Oval Office, White House Counsel John Dean warned U.S. President Richard Nixon today of what he called “a cancer on the presidency” because the Watergate burglars had been paid money in return for their silence. Continue reading White House Counsel John Dean warns U.S. President Richard Nixon that Watergate cover-up has become ‘a cancer’ on the presidency 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1973)

President George W. Bush announces United States-led invasion of Iraq 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 19 2003)


Video: 'VHS 35 IRAQ March 19 2003' (Bush speaks at 44:20)

(Wednesday, March 19, 2003, 10:16 p.m. EST/Thursday, March 20, 2003, 6:16 a.m. Arabia Standard Time; during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, part of the Iraq War, the Iraq conflict and the War on terror) — Shortly after explosions erupted in Baghdad, U.S. President George W. Bush addressed the nation on television and radio tonight and announced that the 2003 invasion of Iraq had begun (at 9:34 p.m. EST; 5:34 a.m. Baghdad time on March 20, 2003) as part of the Bush administration’s war on terror following the September 11 attacks, despite no connection between Iraq and the attacks. Continue reading President George W. Bush announces United States-led invasion of Iraq 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 19 2003)

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers first ‘fireside chat’ nationwide radio broadcast to American people 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1933)


Video: ''Franklin D. Roosevelt First "Fireside Chat" On Banking March 12, 1933

(Sunday, March 12, 1933, 10:00 p.m. EST; during the Great Depression) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the first of his Sunday evening “fireside chats” to the American public tonight in a nationwide radio broadcast, to explain why he had declared a bank holiday. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers first ‘fireside chat’ nationwide radio broadcast to American people 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1933)