Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Rockefeller inquiry clears CIA of major violations 50 years ago today (June 2 1975)

(Monday, June 2, 1975) — Vice President Nelson Rockefeller said today that his commission’s five-month investigation of the Central Intelligence Agency had found incidents in which the CIA violated the law but no widespread pattern of illegal activity.

Former U.S. Vice President Thomas R. Marshall, 71, dies in Washington, D.C. 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1925)


Video: 'America's WITTIEST Vice President??? Thomas Marshall's interesting legacy'

(Sunday, June 1, 1925, 9:30 a.m. EDT)Thomas R. Marshall, the 28th vice president of the United States under President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921), died suddenly this morning from a heart attack at his room at the Willard Hotel, while reading his Bible in bed during a trip to Washington, D.C. He was 71. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Thomas R. Marshall, 71, dies in Washington, D.C. 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 1 1925)

Watergate’s ‘Deep Throat’ identified as former no. 2 at FBI 20 years ago today (May 31 2005)


Video: 'Deep Throat Revealed'

(Tuesday, May 31, 2005) — Breaking a silence of 30 years, former FBI official W. Mark Felt stepped forward today as “Deep Throat,” the secret Washington Post source during the Watergate scandal.

First lady Bess Truman christens ambulance plane 80 years ago today (May 30 1945)


Video: 'Harry S. Truman — Bess Truman Christens an Ambulance Plane'

(Memorial Day, Wednesday, May 30, 1945; during World War II) — In her first public appearance as first lady, Bess Truman today tried to christen an ambulance plane at Washington’s National Airport with a unprepared bottle of champagne. Continue reading First lady Bess Truman christens ambulance plane 80 years ago today (May 30 1945)

Supreme Court strikes down key component of FDR’s New Deal 90 years ago today (May 27 1935)


Video: 'Schechter Poultry vs US (1935): US History Review'

(Monday, May 27, 1935; during the Great Depression) — The U.S. Supreme Court today decided Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, which held the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), a major piece of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, unconstitutional (click here for a clip of May 27, 1935, at 28:27 from “American Experience – S07E02 – FDR Parts 3 and 4 (October 12, 1994)).

Two-day Grand Review of the Armies begins 160 years ago this hour (May 23 1865)


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 23, 1865 at 29:13)

(Tuesday, May 23, 1865, 9:00 a.m. local time) — The Grand Review of the Armies, a two-day military procession and celebration in Washington, D.C., following the close of the American Civil War, began today.

Elements of the Union Army paraded through the streets of the capital to receive accolades from the crowds and reviewing politicians, officials, and prominent citizens, including the President Andrew Johnson.

Democrats unanimously tap VP Martin Van Buren as Andrew Jackson’s successor 190 years ago today (May 22 1835)

(Friday, May 22, 1835) — U.S. Vice President Martin Van Buren of New York was unanimously nominated president today at the 1835 Democratic National Convention meeting at the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, more than 19 months ahead of the 1836 general election. Continue reading Democrats unanimously tap VP Martin Van Buren as Andrew Jackson’s successor 190 years ago today (May 22 1835)

Former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge dies 150 years ago this hour (May 17 1875)


Video: 'From U.S. Veep to Rebel General: Breckinridge's Path'

(Monday, May 17, 1875, 5:45 p.m. local time)John C. Breckinridge, the 14th vice president of the United States, with President James Buchanan, from 1857 to 1861, died this afternoon at his Lexington, Kentucky, home from cirrhosis of the liver at age 54. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge dies 150 years ago this hour (May 17 1875)

Rural Electrification Administration (REA) created 90 years ago today (May 11 1935)


Video: 'Rural Electrification Administration Documentary'

(Saturday, May 11, 1935; during the Great Depression) — The Rural Electrification Administration (REA), one of the New Deal agencies started under U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, was created today with the primary goal of promoting rural electrification.