Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

President-elect Clinton ‘happy but exhausted’ 20 years ago today (1992)


Video: 'World News Tonight' (ABC News, Nov. 4, 1992)

(Wednesday, November 4, 1992, the day after the 1992 presidential campaign) — U.S. President-elect Bill Clinton set to work shaping his new administration today, huddling with his transition team, issuing a scarcely veiled warning to Iraq and pronouncing himself “happy, but exhausted thinking about the work that has to be done.”

Bill Clinton concludes nine-city tour in final bid for presidency 20 years ago today (1992)


Video: '72 Hours to Victory Part 2' (ABC News, Nov. 3 at 3:40)

(Tuesday, November 3, 1992, during the 1992 presidential campaign) — Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton concluded a nine-city, eight-state, 4,100-mile tour this morning in a final bid for votes in today’s election. Continue reading Bill Clinton concludes nine-city tour in final bid for presidency 20 years ago today (1992)

Bill Clinton begins nine-city tour in final bid for presidency 20 years ago today (1992)


Video: '72 Hours to Victory Part 1' (ABC News)

(Monday, November 2, 1992, during the 1992 presidential campaign) — Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton began a nine-city, eight-state, 4,100-mile tour today in a final bid for votes in tomorrow’s election. Continue reading Bill Clinton begins nine-city tour in final bid for presidency 20 years ago today (1992)

Hoover attacks FDR’s New Deal during huge New York rally 80 years ago today (1932)


Video: 'Republicans campaign for President 1932' (Oct. 31, 1932 at 1:57)

(Monday, October 31, 1932, evening, during the 1932 presidential campaign) — In a campaign speech to an overflow crowd tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York, U.S. President Herbert Hoover declared that the “inchoate new deal,” proposed by Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt and his supporters would “destroy the very foundations of our government and crack the timbers of the Constitution.”

CBS News elevates Watergate story with special report 40 years ago this hour (1972)


Video: Oct. 27, 1972

(Friday, October 27, 1972, 7:00 p.m. EDT, during the Watergate scandal) — At the insistence of anchorman Walter Cronkite, The CBS Evening News featured a fifteen-minute segment tonight on the Watergate affair, the first part of a full-scale report. Continue reading CBS News elevates Watergate story with special report 40 years ago this hour (1972)

Krushchev offers deal to remove Soviet missiles from Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: October 26, 1962 (at 4:25)

(Friday, October 26, 1962, day eleven of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — A Soviet-chartered freighter is stopped at the quarantine line today and searched for contraband military supplies. None are found and the ship is allowed to proceed to Cuba.

Meantime, ABC News reporter John Scali is approached by Aleksander Fomin of the Soviet embassy staff with a proposal for a solution to the crisis.

Later, a long, rambling letter from Soviet Premier Khrushchev to U.S. President Kennedy makes a similar offer: removal of the missiles in exchange for lifting the quarantine and a pledge that the U.S. will not invade Cuba. Continue reading Krushchev offers deal to remove Soviet missiles from Cuba 50 years ago today (1962)

U.S. blockade against Soviet ships around Cuba begins 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: October 24, 1962 (at 0:00)

(Wednesday, October 24, 1962, 10:00 a.m. EDT, day nine of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — A naval quarantine of Cuba ordered by U.S. President John F. Kennedy went into effect today, aimed at interdicting the delivery of offensive weapons to the island. Continue reading U.S. blockade against Soviet ships around Cuba begins 50 years ago this hour (1962)

Kennedy signs formal declaration of Cuban blockade 50 years ago this hour (1962)


Video: October 23, 1962 (at 7:36)

(Tuesday, October 23, 1962, 7:06 p.m. EDT, day eight of the Cuban missile crisis, part of the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy signed Proclamation 3504 tonight formally declaring the blockade of Cuban sea ports. Orders are issued to begin enforcing the blockade at 10:00 am the next morning. Continue reading Kennedy signs formal declaration of Cuban blockade 50 years ago this hour (1962)

‘The First Family’ comedy album recorded in New York City 50 years ago tonight (1962)


Video: 'Vaughn Meader: The First Family, Vol. 1'

(Monday, October 22, 1962) — The hit comedy album The First Family, starring comedian-impressionist Vaughn Meader as President John F. Kennedy, was recorded today before a studio audience in New York City on the same night as John F. Kennedy’s Cuban Missile Crisis speech.

Seattle World’s Fair closes 50 years ago today (1962)


Video: 'Seattle World's Fair: "Century 21 Calling" 1962 American Telephone & Telegraph ( AT&T )'

(Sunday, October 21, 1962) — The Century 21 Exposition (also known as the Seattle World’s Fair) closed today after six months and nearly 10 million visitors. President John F. Kennedy was scheduled to attend the closing ceremony, but canceled because of what was described as a “head cold.” The actual reason turned out to be the Cuban Missile Crisis.