Video: 'The Defense of Marriage Act of 1996'
(Saturday, September 21, 1996, 12:50 a.m. EDT) — U.S. President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) early this morning, denying federal recognition of same-sex marriages a day after saying the law should not be used as an excuse for discrimination, violence or intimidation against gays and lesbians. Continue reading U.S. President Bill Clinton signs Defense of Marriage Act 30 years ago this hour (Sep 21 1996)
Video: 'George Washington’s Farewell Address wasn’t a goodbye… it was a warning.'
(Monday September 19, 1796) — With less than six months left of his second and final term of office, U.S. President George Washington’s Farewell Address was published today as an open letter to the public. Continue reading President George Washington’s farewell address published 230 years ago today (Sep 19 1796)
Video: 'The Shocking Downfall of Spiro Agnew – 10 Scandals That Made History!'
(Tuesday, September 17, 1996, 6:30 p.m. EDT) — Spiro Agnew, who was forced to resign as the 39th Vice President of the United States in 1973 when he pleaded no contest to a charge of income-tax evasion, died today at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland, after struggling with undiagnosed acute leukemia. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew, 77, dies in Berlin, Maryland 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 17 1996)
Video: 'The Duel - Alexander Hamilton vs. Aaron Burr'
(Wednesday, September 14, 1836) — Aaron Burr, the third vice president of the United States (1801–1805), serving during President Thomas Jefferson’s first term, best known for killing his political rival Alexander Hamilton in a famous duel, died today in a boardinghouse on Staten Island, New York, two years after suffering a debilitating stroke. He was 80. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr, 80, dies on Staten Island, New York 190 years ago today (Sep 14 1836)
Video: 'Boulder Dam (1936)'
(Friday, September 11, 1936, 3:20 p.m. EDT; during the Great Depression) — Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam) began operation today as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a key today in Washington to signal the startup of the dam’s first hydroelectric generator.
Video: 'President Clinton's Remarks at the 1996 Democratic National Convention'
(Thursday, August 29, 1996, 9:00 p.m. CDT) — President Bill Clinton of Arkansas accepted the Democratic nomination for a second term tonight at the 1996 Democratic National Convention meeting at the United Center in Chicago. Continue reading President Bill Clinton accepts Democratic nomination for second term 30 years ago this hour (Aug 29 1996)
Video: 'A Brief History of the National Park Service | ABC News'
(Friday, August 25, 1916) — President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act today establishing the National Park Service, an agency of the United States federal government that manages all U.S. national parks, many American national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations within the Department of the Interior.
Video: '1956 President Eisenhower GOP Convention Acceptance Speech'
(Thursday, August 23, 1956, 6:18 p.m. PDT) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower of Kansas accepted the Republican nomination for a second term tonight at the 1956 Republican National Convention meeting at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Continue reading President Dwight D. Eisenhower accepts Republican nomination for second term 70 years ago this hour (Aug 23 1956)
Video: '"American Experience" THE KENNEDYS: Part 1, The Father, (1900-1961)' (Aug. 21, 1936, at 23:16)
(Friday, August 21, 1936) — Former SEC Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy released a new book today making a direct pitch to the business community: support the New Deal and re-elect President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Continue reading Joseph Kennedy endorses FDR policies in new book 90 years ago today (Aug 21 1936)
Video: 'The American Civil War Didn't End When You Think It Did'
(Monday, August 20, 1866; during the Reconstruction Era) — Months after fighting in the American Civil War had ended, President Andrew Johnson today issued Proclamation 157, which declared that “peace, order, tranquility, and civil authority now exist in and throughout the whole of the United States of America.”
