Video: 'Eisenhower Seriously Ill (1956)'
(Saturday, June 9, 1956, 2:59 a.m. EDT) — U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, 65, was taken to Walter Reed hospital today for an emergency operation to remove an intestinal blockage. Eisenhower’s physicians termed his condition “excellent,” saying they looked for a “rapid and complete recovery.”
Video: 'Ronald Reagan runs for Governor of California 1966 newsreel archival footage'
(Tuesday, June 7, 1966, CBS News declared Reagan the winner at 8 p.m. PDT) — Film actor Ronald Reagan won the Republican nomination for the governorship of California today by rolling to an easy victory over George Christopher, a former Mayor of San Francisco, and three other rivals in the state’s primary election. Continue reading Ronald Reagan wins GOP primary for governor of California 60 years ago this hour (Jun 7 1966)
(Friday, June 6, 1856) — Former Secretary of State James Buchanan of Pennsylvania was unanimously nominated President of the United States today at the 1856 Democratic National Convention meeting at Smith and Nixon’s Hall in Cincinnati. Continue reading Democrats nominate James Buchanan for President of the United States 170 years ago today (June 6 1856)
Video: 'National Defense Act of 1916'
(Saturday, June 3, 1916; during World War I) — U.S. President Woodrow Wilson today signed the National Defense Act of 1916, which, among other things, created the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).
Video: 'YOUNG FRANCES CLEVELAND AT MARRIAGE'
(Wednesday, June 2, 1886, 7:00 p.m. local time) — U.S. President Grover Cleveland, 49, married Frances Folsom, 21, today in the Blue Room of the White House, becoming the first (and to date, the only) president to marry in the executive mansion. Continue reading U.S. President Grover Cleveland, 49, marries Frances Folsom, 21, in White House 140 years ago this hour (June 2 1886)
Video: 'Truman & the Railroad Strike of 1946 - Part 3' (May 25, 1946)
(Saturday, May 25, 1946, 3:57 p.m. EST; during the Strike wave of 1945–46) — With only three minutes left before the U.S. Army would seize control of the nation’s railroads, the leaders of both striking railway workers’ unions signed a settlement today at the White House. Continue reading Rail strike ends as Truman demands laws, including draft, to stop action against U.S. 80 years ago this hour (May 25 1946)
Video: 'Truman & the Railroad Strike of 1946 - Part 1' (Truman address at 0:17)
(Friday, May 24, 1946, 9:00 p.m. EST; during the Strike wave of 1945–46) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman made a nationwide radio address tonight regarding the railway strike, and delivered an ultimatum: “If sufficient workers to operate the trains have not returned, by 4 p.m. tomorrow, as head of our government, I have no alternative but to operate the trains by using every means within my power … I shall ask our armed forces to furnish protection to every man who heeds the call of his country in this hour of need.” Continue reading Truman calls rail men to return at once, will use Army to run trains if they do not 80 years ago this hour (May 24 1946)
Video: 'President Clinton Signing Megan's Law'
(Monday, May 17, 1996, 10:50 a.m. EDT) — U.S. President Bill signed legislation today that requires states to warn communities when convicted sex offenders who might still pose a danger settle in their neighborhoods. Continue reading President Bill Clinton signs ‘Megan’s Law’ bill on warning of sex offenders 30 years ago this hour (May 17 1996)
Video: '1956 Senator Alben W. Barkley suffers heart attack after speaking at the Mock Democratic Convention'
(Monday, April 30, 1956, he collapsed at 5:15 p.m. EST, declared dead at 5:25 p.m. EST) — Alben W. Barkley, the 35th Vice President of the United States (1949-1953, under President Harry S. Truman), died today of a heart attack while addressing a student political convention at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He was 78. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Alben W. Barkley dies 60 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1956)
Video: 'JFK’s 1946 Campaign: The Birth of a Political Dynasty'
(Thursday, April 25, 1946) — John F. Kennedy officially announced today at the Parker House Hotel that he was running for the 11th Congressional District in Massachusetts (which included parts of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville). Continue reading John F. Kennedy announces that he’s running for Congress 80 years ago today (Apr 25 1946)
