Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

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)

National bank holiday declared by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at calming panicked depositors goes into effect 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 6 1933)


Video: 'Emergency Legislation: The Bank Holiday'

(Monday, March 6, 1933, 1:00 a.m. EST; during the Great Depression) — Barely 36 hours in office, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 2039 early this morning, declaring a nationwide “bank holiday,” effective immediately, temporarily closing every bank in the United States and freezing all financial transactions in order to prevent a run on the banks by consumers lacking confidence in the economy. Continue reading National bank holiday declared by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at calming panicked depositors goes into effect 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 6 1933)

Grover Cleveland sworn in as 24th president of the United States, Adlai Stevenson I as 23rd VP 130 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1893)

(Saturday, March 4, 1893, approximately 1:55 p.m. local time)Grover Cleveland of New York, the 22nd President of the United States (1885-1889), took the oath of office today as the 24th President of the United States at the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Grover Cleveland sworn in as 24th president of the United States, Adlai Stevenson I as 23rd VP 130 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1893)

Woodrow Wilson sworn in as 28th president of the United States, Thomas R. Marshall as 28th VP 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1913)


Video: 'Inaugural address of Thomas Woodrow Wilson after he is named President of the Uni...HD Stock Footage'

(Tuesday, March 4, 1913, 1:37 p.m. EST) — Former Governor Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey took the oath of office today as the 28th President of the United States at the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Woodrow Wilson sworn in as 28th president of the United States, Thomas R. Marshall as 28th VP 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1913)