Video: 'The History of the Medal of Freedom: Honoring America's Greatest'
(Friday, July 6, 1945; during World War II) — The Presidential Medal of Freedom, intended to honor civilians whose actions aided in the war efforts of the U.S. and its allies, was created by President Harry S. Truman today through an executive order.
Video: 'What is the National Labor Relations Act? | Union Facts Friday Episode 16'
(Friday, July 5, 1935, morning EDT; during the Great Depression) — The National Labor Relations Act of 1935, a foundational statute of U.S. labor law which guarantees basic rights of private sector employees to organize into trade unions, engage in collective bargaining for better terms and conditions at work, and take collective action including strike if necessary was signed today by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Continue reading FDR signs National Labor Relations Act guaranteeing workers’ right to unionize 90 years ago today (July 5 1935)
Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (July 3, 1945, at 16:55)
(Tuesday, July 3, 1945, 11:00 a.m. EDT; during World War II) — Taking the oath of office within twenty-four hours after his nomination as Secretary of State, James F. Byrnes asserted today that there would be no change in basic foreign and peace policies charted by the late U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and no change in State Department personnel until after his return from the Big Three conference in Berlin later this month.
Video: 'August 25, 1955 - Senator Lyndon B. Johnson before flying to Texas to recuperate from heart attack.'
(Saturday, July 2, 1955) — Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson, a 60-cigarette-per-day smoker, suffered a near-fatal heart attack today at age 46 and will be unable to return to active duty at this Congressional session (click here for a clip reporting on today’s event on “American Experience: LBJ” at 41:04).
Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (July 2, 1945, at 43:20)
(Monday, July 2, 1945, 11:00 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson made one last effort to convince President Harry S. Truman that the war might end if the Japanese were offered a chance to surrender with the Emperor left in place during a meeting today at the White House.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (June 30, 1865 at 31:48)
(Friday, June 30, 1865, court convened at 11:00 a.m. local time) — Eight people, including Mary Surratt and Dr. Samuel Mudd, were convicted today by a military commission of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Continue reading Eight defendants convicted in Lincoln assassination 160 years ago this hour (June 30 1865)
(Friday, June 27, 1995, 9:40 p.m. PDT) — One day before a U.S.-imposed deadline for reaching an auto trade accord with Japan, U.S. President Bill Clinton defended his record as a free-trader today but vowed that he is ready to slap punitive tariffs on Japanese luxury cars if there isn’t a deal. Continue reading U.S. President Bill Clinton defends free-trade record but warns Japan 30 years ago today (June 27 1995)
Video: 'UN Charter signed in San Francisco Conference and US President Harry S. Truman ad...HD Stock Footage'
(Wednesday, June 26, 1945, 5:28 p.m. PDT; during World War II) — The United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO) ended this afternoon with a plea by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to translate the lofty words of the new world Charter into worthy deeds ringing in the ears of the delegates from fifty nations who signed it today. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman closes UN Conference with plea to translate charter into deeds 80 years ago this hour (June 26 1945)
Video: 'Hey Porter! (1955 Recording Remastered)'
(Tuesday, June 21, 1955) — Johnny Cash today released his first single “Hey, Porter” a song about his journey home from a four year stint in the United States Air Force.
Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (June 18, 1945, at 19:27)
(Monday, June 18, 1945, 3:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — President Harry S. Truman met with military representatives today to discuss how the war against Japan should proceed. Truman decided to have the Joint Chiefs of Staff go ahead with plans to invade Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands on Nov. 1, 1945. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)
