Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Roosevelt, Churchill voice faith to war-weary world on Christmas Eve 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1941)

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


Video: 'Churchill And Roosevelt Christmas Speech (1941)'

(Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 1941, 5:02 p.m EST; during the Arcadia Conference and World War II) — Speaking from the high south portico of the White House, in the twinkling lights of the community Christmas tree on the lawn below them, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill this evening called on the people of their two nations to rededicate themselves in a righteous cause and to “arm their hearts’ for labor, suffering and for the ultimate victory ahead. Continue reading Roosevelt, Churchill voice faith to war-weary world on Christmas Eve 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1941) →

Churchill arrives at White House to confer with FDR 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1941)

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


Video: 'Churchill And Roosevelt At White House (1941)'

(Monday, December 22, 1941, 6:50 p.m. EST; during the Arcadia Conference) — 15 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the American entry into World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrived at the White House tonight in Washington, D.C., after a secret ten-day journey across the Atlantic aboard HMS Duke of York to confer with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt on “all questions related to the war effort.” Continue reading Churchill arrives at White House to confer with FDR 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 22 1941) →

Kennedy family patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. suffers massive stroke 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1961)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'December 19, 1961 - President John F. Kennedy arrives West Palm Beach to visit his Father'

(Tuesday, December 19, 1961) — Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., former U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and the father of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, suffered a massive stroke today after playing golf in Palm Beach, Florida. Continue reading Kennedy family patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. suffers massive stroke 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1961) →

U.S. military lowers flag, marking end of Iraq War 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 2011)

2010s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'U.S. marks official end to Iraq War'

(Thursday, December 15, 2011, morning Arabia Standard Time; during the Withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq (2007–2011), part of the Iraq War, the Iraqi conflict and the War on Terror) — After more than eight years, 4,507 American dead and at least 105,052 Iraqi dead, the United States formally ended its long military mission in Iraq today in a solemn ceremony at Baghdad’s international airport. Continue reading U.S. military lowers flag, marking end of Iraq War 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 15 2011) →

U.S. enters World War II, formally declaring war on Japan following Pearl Harbor attack 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDate #OTD (Dec 8 1941)

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


Video: 'December 8, 1941 Congress declares War on Japan'

(Monday, December 8, 1941, 10:40 a.m. in Honolulu/4:10 p.m. in Washington/Tuesday, December 9, 1941, 6:10 a.m. in Tokyo; 26 hours after the Attack on Pearl Harbor began, part of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of World War II — The United States formally declared war on Japan today, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Continue reading U.S. enters World War II, formally declaring war on Japan following Pearl Harbor attack 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDate #OTD (Dec 8 1941) →

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sends personal plea for peace to Japanese Emperor Hirohito 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1941)

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


Video: 'Pearl Harbor - 2 Hours That Changed The World ABC News' (Dec. 6, 1941 at 35:28)

(Saturday, December 6, 1941, 9:00 p.m. EST, less than 16 hours before Japan’s sneak attack on Pearl Harbor) — With negotiations at a standstill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a personal appeal to Japanese Emperor Hirohito tonight in a last attempt at preserving the peace in the Pacific. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sends personal plea for peace to Japanese Emperor Hirohito 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1941) →

U.S. President James A. Garfield born in Moreland Hills, Ohio 190 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 19 1831)

1830s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The tragic death of President James Garfield'

(Saturday, November 19, 1831) — James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States (1881), was born James Abram Garfield today into poverty in a log cabin in Orange Township, now Moreland Hills, Ohio. Continue reading U.S. President James A. Garfield born in Moreland Hills, Ohio 190 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 19 1831) →

FDR confers with Japanese diplomats in attempt to avert war 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 17 1941)

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


Video: 'War Comes to America, 8/8: America Attacked' (Nov. 17, 1941, at 3:02)

(Monday, November 17, 1941, 11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. EST; 20 days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor) — Conferences that may decide whether there will be peace or war in the Far East opened today when U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt received Saburo Kurusu, special Japanese envoy, for an hour at the White House. Continue reading FDR confers with Japanese diplomats in attempt to avert war 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 17 1941) →

Sam Rayburn, longest serving Speaker in U.S. House history, dies in Bonham, Texas 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 16 1961)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Mr Sam, Mr Speaker'

(Thursday, November 16, 1961, 6:20 a.m. CST) — Sam Rayburn, an American politician who holds the record for the longest tenure as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, serving for over 17 years (among his three separate stints), died today in Bonham, Texas, of pancreatic cancer at the age of 79. Continue reading Sam Rayburn, longest serving Speaker in U.S. House history, dies in Bonham, Texas 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 16 1961) →

President Nixon announces 45,000 more U.S. troops will withdraw from Vietnam before Feb. 1, leaving 139,000 there as peace aid 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 12 1971)

1970s, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'CBS Evening News - 1971-11-12'

(Friday, November 12, 1971, 4:02-4:09 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Richard Nixon announced today that he would withdraw 45,000 more American soldiers from South Vietnam by Feb. 1, 1972, retaining a force of 139,000 men to strengthen his hand in seeking a negotiated settlement of the war. Continue reading President Nixon announces 45,000 more U.S. troops will withdraw from Vietnam before Feb. 1, leaving 139,000 there as peace aid 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 12 1971) →