Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Harry S. Truman sworn in as 33rd President of the United States 80 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1945)

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


Video: 'Truman Being Sworn In (1945)'

(Thursday, April 12, 1945, 7:09 p.m. Eastern War Time; during World War II) — Vice President Harry S. Truman of Missouri, 60, standing erect, with his sharp features taut and looking straight ahead through his large, round glasses, became the 33rd President of the United States tonight in a ceremony lasting not more than a minute in the Cabinet Room of the White House. Continue reading Harry S. Truman sworn in as 33rd President of the United States 80 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1945) →

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 63, dies of a cerebral hemorrhage 80 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1945)

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


Video: 'Death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt' (Apr. 12, 1945, at 0:00-2:00)

(Thursday, April 12, 1945, 3:35 p.m. Central War Time; during World War II) — Franklin Delano Roosevelt, War President of the United States and the only Chief Executive in history who was chosen for more than two terms, died suddenly and unexpectedly today at Warm Springs, Georgia. He was 63. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 63, dies of a cerebral hemorrhage 80 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1945) →

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffers massive stroke 80 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1945)

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


Video: 'FDR: A Presidency Revealed: Part 18' (Apr. 12, 1945, at 7:22)

(Thursday, April 12, 1945, approximately 1:00 p.m. Central War Time; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 63, was stricken by a massive cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) today at his retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia, while artist Elizabeth Shoumatoff painted his portrait in the living room in the presence of Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd (with whom he had resumed an extramarital affair), two cousins and his dog Fala. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffers massive stroke 80 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1945) →

Lincoln calls for reconciliation and black suffrage as Confederate sympathizer plots his assassination 160 years ago this hour (Apr 11 1865)

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


Video: 'Lincolns Final Speech - April 11, 1865 - Audio'

(Tuesday, April 11, 1865, approximately 8:00 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — Two days after Lee’s army surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his last public speech from a White House window to a crowd on the lawn, saying, “We meet this evening, not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart.” Continue reading Lincoln calls for reconciliation and black suffrage as Confederate sympathizer plots his assassination 160 years ago this hour (Apr 11 1865) →

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs education bill at his old school 60 years ago this hour (Apr 11 1965)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Signing of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 4/11/65.'

(Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, 4:20 p.m. CST) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed today the $1.3 billion aid-to-education bill at the old country school in Johnson City, Texas, where he had his first lessons.

President Roosevelt drives former mistress to Dowdell’s Knob 80 years ago today (Apr 11 1945)

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


Video: 'American Experience FDR Parts 3 and 4' (Apr. 11, 1945, at 2:10:48)

(Wednesday, April 11, 1945, lunchtime EWT; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt drove his former mistress Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd, who had arrived at Warm Springs, Georgia, on Monday (Apr. 9, 1945), to Dowdell’s Knob, overlooking a lovely valley, and talked about the future of the world and what he was going to do after the war had ended.

Washington celebrates Lee’s surrender, but Lincoln too weary to deliver formal speech 160 years ago this hour (Apr 10 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 10, 1865, at 1:03:10)
Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 10, 1865, at 6:42)

(Monday, April 10, 1865, noon p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — In Washington, fireworks filled the sky tonight in celebration of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox yesterday. A great crowd gathered around the White House called for President Abraham Lincoln, but he was too weary to make a formal speech.

Lincoln poses for portrait 160 years ago today (Apr 10 1865)

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


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 10, 1865, at 1:03:31)

(Monday, April 10, 1865; during the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln walked over to the Alexander Gardner studio today at the corner of 7th and D Streets in Washington to sit for another portrait. Continue reading Lincoln poses for portrait 160 years ago today (Apr 10 1865) →

LBJ attends debut game at Houston’s Astrodome 60 years ago this hour (Apr 9 1965)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Apr. 9, 1965 | Houston Astrodome Opens'

(Friday, April 9, 1965, 7:30 p.m. CST) — The Harris County Domed Stadium, later known as the Astrodome, opened tonight in Houston with a historic exhibition baseball game between the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees, marking the first Major League Baseball game ever played indoors. Continue reading LBJ attends debut game at Houston’s Astrodome 60 years ago this hour (Apr 9 1965) →

President Franklin Roosevelt signs work relief bill 80 years ago this hour (Apr 8 1935)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'History Brief: The Works Progress Administration (WPA)'

(Monday, April 8, 1935, 4:00 p.m. EST; during the Great Depression) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt today signed the Emergency Relief Appropriations Act, which provided money for programs such as the Works Progress Administration. Continue reading President Franklin Roosevelt signs work relief bill 80 years ago this hour (Apr 8 1935) →