Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

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) →

Lincoln funeral train arrives in New York City 160 years ago this hour (Apr 24 1865)

1860s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 24, 1865 at 22:25-23:09)

(Monday, April 24, 1865, 10:50 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — The remains U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and his deceased son, William Wallace Lincoln, stopped in New York City today on a 1,654 mile journey to Springfield, Illinois, for final burial. Continue reading Lincoln funeral train arrives in New York City 160 years ago this hour (Apr 24 1865) →

President Ford declares Vietnam War is ‘finished as far as America is concerned’ 50 years ago this hour (Apr 23 1975)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Address at a Tulane University Convocation April 23, 1975'

(Wednesday, April 23, 1975, 8:07-8:33 p.m. CDT; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Speaking to an audience of students at Tulane University in New Orleans, U.S. President Gerald Ford announced that “Today, America can regain the sense of pride that existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by re-fighting a war that is finished as far as America is concerned.” Continue reading President Ford declares Vietnam War is ‘finished as far as America is concerned’ 50 years ago this hour (Apr 23 1975) →

U.S. President Truman confronts Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov on Poland 80 years ago this hour (Apr 23 1945)

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

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (Apr. 22 1945, at 6:47)

(Monday, April 23, 1945, 5:30 EWT; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry Truman met today at the White House with Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov and demanded that Russia bide by the Yalta agreement to hold free elections in Poland (click here for a clip of this day on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:38:58).

Lincoln Funeral Train reaches Philadelphia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 22 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 22, 1865 at 22:13-22:24)

(Saturday, April 22, 1865, 4:50 p.m.; during the American Civil War) — The caskets of assassinated U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and his deceased son, William Wallace Lincoln, stopped in Philadelphia, today as part of a 1,654 mile journey to Springfield, Illinois, for burial.