Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Theodore Roosevelt arrives at Canton for President McKinley’s funeral 110 years ago this hour

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL6vPCQd5eA

(Wednesday, September 18, 1901, 11:58 a.m.) — The state funeral train bearing the remains of President William McKinley, who died four days ago from complications of gunshot wounds arrived in Canton, Ohio today (for burial tomorrow) with the new president, Theodore Roosevelt, paying his respects. Continue reading Theodore Roosevelt arrives at Canton for President McKinley’s funeral 110 years ago this hour

French general arrives to confer with Truman on First Indochina War 60 years ago today

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mStq3NaipQ
Jean de Lattre de Tassigny and Vietnam (in French)

(Friday, September 14, 1951) — U.S. President Harry S Truman told Gen. Jean de Lattre de Tassigny today that he regarded the French battle against communism in Indochina as being the same as the fighting in Korea, “the same fight for liberty.”

De Lattre, who put new fight into French forces battling communists in the First Indochina War, arrived in Washington today to confer with U.S. officials.

Video: General Jean De Lattre De Tassigny arrives in Washington (Sept. 14, 1951)

President Roosevelt orders U.S. Navy to ‘shoot on sight’ 70 years ago this hour

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUWJX-j1xws
FDR Fireside Chat 18: On The Greer Incident

(Thursday, September 11, 1941, 10 p.m. EDT) — Responding to last week’s Greer Incident, President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced tonight that he had ordered the navy to “shoot first” when Axis submarines, surface raiders or aircraft are encountered in areas which the (still officially neutral) U.S. considers vital to its defense (click here to watch a video clip of the address).

Sara Roosevelt, FDR’s mother, dies 70 years ago this hour


(click here to watch the full program, with Sara Roosevelt's death @ 3:11:05)

(Sunday, September 7, 1941, 12:15 p.m. EDT)Sara Roosevelt, the 86-year-old mother of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, died today at her home in Hyde Park, New York, following an acute circulatory collapse late last evening.

Eleanor Roosevelt writes about husband’s illness 90 years ago today


(click here to watch the full program, with August 14, 1921 @ 53:59)

(Sunday, August 14, 1921)— Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, writes about her husband’s illness in a letter. Franklin had developed acute symptoms of poliomyelitis four days before while visiting his summer home on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada.

Ellsberg break-in plan approved 40 years ago today


Watergate. Part 3 of 30

(Wednesday, August 11, 1971) — A plan by E. Howard Hunt, one of the Nixon White House “Plumbers” (a secret team of operatives charged with fixing “leaks” to leading newspapers), to burglarize the office of psychiatrist Lewis Fielding to steal his files on Daniel Ellsberg, who had leaked the Pentagon Papers, was approved by Chief Domestic Advisor John Ehrlichman.

Reagan fires 11,000 striking air traffic controllers


Aug. 5, 1981: Air Traffic Controllers Strike

(Wednesday, August 5, 1981) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan today fired more than 11,000 air traffic controllers who ignored his order to return to work. Nearly 13,000 controllers walked off the job Aug. 3 after talks with the Federal Aviation Administration collapsed.

FDR likely infected by polio virus at boy scout camp


(click here to watch the full program, with July 28, 1921 @ 53:22)

(Thursday, July 28, 1921) — 1920 Democratic vice presidential nominee Franklin D. Roosevelt visited a large Boy Scout encampment at Bear Mountain, New York, today, where it is believed he was infected by the polio virus.

Ellsberg files burglary plan hatched


Watergate. Part 2 of 30

(Wednesday, July 28, 1971) — E. Howard Hunt, one of the Nixon White House “plumbers” — a secret team of operatives charged with fixing “leaks,” proposed to Nixon Special Counsel Charles Colson that the “plumbers” burglarize the office of psychiatrist Lewis Fielding to steal his files on Daniel Ellsberg, who had leaked the Pentagon Papers, to discredit him. Continue reading Ellsberg files burglary plan hatched