Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


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) →

Viet Cong celebrate takeover of South Vietnam in Saigon 50 years ago today (May 7 1975)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


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.

U.S. President Reagan sparks outrage with visit to German cemetery containing Nazi SS graves 40 years ago this hour (May 5 1985)

1980s, The Holocaust, U.S. Presidents


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) →

Abraham Lincoln buried in Springfield, Illinois 160 years ago this hour (May 4 1865)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


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.

Abraham Lincoln returns to Springfield, Illinois 160 years ago this hour (May 3 1865)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


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.

President Lyndon B. Johnson sends U.S. troops to Dominican Republic 60 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1965)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


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.”

Lincoln Funeral Train arrives in Cleveland 160 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1865)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


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.

Eisenhower: U. S. policy in Vietnam still in balance 70 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1955)

1950s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


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.

Stimson briefs Truman on ‘most terrible weapon ever known’ 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Apr. 25, 1945, at 9:50)

(Wednesday, April 25, 1945, 12 noon EWT; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson briefed President Harry Truman today about the possibility of an atomic weapon, outlined the history and status of the program and predicted that “within four months we shall in all probability have completed the most terrible weapon ever known in human history” (click here for a clip of Apr. 24-25, 1945, on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:40:57). Continue reading Stimson briefs Truman on ‘most terrible weapon ever known’ 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945) →