(Tuesday, May 9, 1865, 12 noon local time; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation today declaring the American Civil War may be regarded as “virtually at an end” and that nations or ships still harboring fugitives would be denied entry into U.S. ports. Continue reading President Andrew Johnson declares American Civil War ‘virtually at an end’ 160 years ago this hour (May 9 1865)
Video: '[VE Day 75] President Harry Truman's speech for Victory in Europe Day newsreel 8 May 1945'
(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, 9:00 a.m. EWT; on the Western Front of World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, on his 61st birthday, announced on radio this morning that Nazi Germany’s forces had surrendered, and that “the flags of freedom fly all over Europe” (click here for a clip of this day on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:41:50). Continue reading President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)
Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender' (May 7, 1975, at 44:24)
(Wednesday, May 7, 1975, during the Cold War) — On the same day that the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover of South Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, U.S. President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the “Vietnam era,” ending wartime veteran’s benefits for new military recruits.
Video: 'WPA (Works Progress Administration) - 1937'
(Monday, May 6, 1935; during the Great Depression) — The Works Progress Administration began operating under an executive order signed today by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Video: 'Reagan at Bitburg May 5 1985) (Complete)' (coverage begins at 8:30 a.m. EDT)
(Sunday, May 5, 1985, 2:51 p.m. CEST) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan presided over a wreath-laying today at the base of a brick cemetery tower looming over the graves of nearly 2,000 German soldiers, including 49 SS troops. Continue reading U.S. President Reagan sparks outrage with visit to German cemetery containing Nazi SS graves 40 years ago this hour (May 5 1985)
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (May 4, 1865 at 24:35)
(Thursday, May 4, 1865, 1:00 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was laid to rest today in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois, following a 180-city, seven-state train journey from Washington, where he had been assassinated.
Lincoln’s son Willie, who died at age 11 from typhoid fever in 1862 and had originally been buried in Washington while Lincoln was serving as president, was interred next to his father in the family plot.
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' May 3, 1865 at 23:22)
(Wednesday, May 3, 1865, 9:00 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — The remains U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, fatally shot on the evening of Apr. 14, 1865, and his deceased son, William Wallace Lincoln, arrived today in Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield, Illinois, for public viewing at the Old State House, concluding a 1,654 mile train journey from Washington for final burial.
Video: 'President Johnson's Remarks on the Dominican Crisis, 4/28/65, MP545.'
(Wednesday, April 28, 1965, 8:51 p.m. EDT) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson announced tonight that he’s sending more than 22,000 troops to the Dominican Republic in an effort to forestall a “communist dictatorship.”
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' Apr. 28, 1865 at 23:09-23:22)
(Friday, April 28, 1865, 6:50 a.m.; during the American Civil War) — The remains U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and his deceased son, William Wallace Lincoln, stopped in Cleveland today for public viewing at Monument Square on a 1,654 mile journey to Springfield, Illinois, for final burial.
Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-3) America's Mandarin (1954-1963)' (Apr. 27, 1955, at 13:37)
(Wednesday, April 27, 1955, 10:31-11:06 a.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — United States policy in South Vietnam’s political crisis is still in the balance, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower indicated today.
He said he could not give “any final answer” to questions about South Vietnam, saying the subject was “still under discussion” with Gen. J. Lawton Collins, U.S. special representative to Saigon.
