Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Reagan postpones State of the Union to address Challenger disaster 40 years ago this hour (Jan 28 1986)


Video: 'Challenger: President Reagan's Challenger Disaster Speech - 1/28/86'

(Tuesday, January 28, 1986, 5:00 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan, saying “today is a day for mourning and remembering,” postponed the State of the Union speech he had planned for tonight because of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Continue reading Reagan postpones State of the Union to address Challenger disaster 40 years ago this hour (Jan 28 1986)

Clinton offers challenge to nation, declaring, ‘era of big government is over’ 30 years ago this hour (Jan 23 1996)


Video: 'From the archives: Clinton says "era of big government is over" in 1996 State of the Union address'

(Tuesday, January 23, 1996, 9:14 p.m. EST) — Offering his own idea of limited government to compete with the Republican vision, U.S. President Bill Clinton tonight challenged the nation to provide enough educational opportunities, economic security and freedom from crime to allow Americans to make the most of an “age of possibility.”

In an election-year State of the Union Message intended far more for voters than for the Republican-controlled Congress, Clinton separated himself from Democratic orthodoxy, twice pronouncing that the “era of big government is over.”

U.S. President Gerald Ford appeals for ‘new realism’ in State of the Union Address 50 years ago this hour (Jan 19 1976)


Video: 'Ford's 1976 State of the Union Address'

(Monday, January 19, 1976, 9:00 p.m. EST) — In his second State of the Union address, U.S. President Gerald Ford, declaring that “common sense” dictated a self-disciplined course at the outset of the third American century, called tonight on Congress to act with restraint in meeting the immediate needs and expectations of the nation.

Former first lady Eliza McCardle Johnson dies 150 years ago today (Jan 15 1876)


Video: 'First Ladies Preview: Eliza Johnson'

(Saturday, January 15, 1876, 11:00 p.m. local time) — Former first lady Eliza McCardle Johnson, who served with her husband, U.S. President Andrew Johnson, from 1865 to 1869, died today in Greeneville, Tennessee, from complications due to tuberculosis at age 65, having survived her husband by only five and a half months.

Sara Jane Moore gets life in prison for Ford assassination attempt 50 years ago today (Jan 15 1976)


Video: 'Gerald Ford - Assassination Attempts (02)' (Sept. 22, 1975, at 1:08)

(Thursday, January 15, 1976) — Sara Jane Moore was sentenced today to life in prison by a Federal district judge who said that she would not have tried to kill U.S. President Gerald Ford in San Francisco on Sept. 22, 1975, “if we had in this country any effective capital punishment law.” Continue reading Sara Jane Moore gets life in prison for Ford assassination attempt 50 years ago today (Jan 15 1976)

Robert C. Weaver nominated to become first African-American in presidential cabinet 60 years ago this hour (Jan 13 1966)


Video: '1966 Robert C. Weaver Becomes First African American To Be Appointed to Cabinet' (Jan. 18, 1966)

(Thursday, January 13, 1966, 4:15 p.m. EST; during the Civil rights movement) — Robert C. Weaver was nominated today to become the first African American to serve as a member of the U.S. president’s cabinet by President Lyndon B. Johnson, specifically as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

LBJ asks domestic reform, stands firm on Vietnam in State of the Union address 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966)


Video: 'CBS News Special Report: LBJ's State of the Union address IN COLOR (January 12, 1966)'

(Wednesday, January 12, 1966, 9:04 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — In his third State of the Union message, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson pledged soberly tonight to stay in Vietnam “until aggression has stopped” but also promised to continue and expand the Great Society at home. Continue reading LBJ asks domestic reform, stands firm on Vietnam in State of the Union address 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966)

U.S. President Harry S. Truman flies home for Christmas 80 years ago this hour (Dec 25 1945)


Video: 'American Experience - Truman (1997) - Part 4' (Dec. 25, 1945, at 5:36)

(Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, 1945, 12:05 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Harry Truman woke to find the capitol covered in ice and snow; his wife Bess and daughter Margaret were in their hometown of Independence, Missouri, and the president missed them. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman flies home for Christmas 80 years ago this hour (Dec 25 1945)

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson marries Mrs. Edith Bolling Galt in Washington 110 years ago this hour (Dec 18 1915)


Video: 'Wilson Marries Edith Galt - 1915 | Today In History | 18 Dec 17

(Saturday, December 18, 1915, 8:30 p.m. local time) — 16 months after the death of First Lady Ellen Axson Wilson, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, 59, married Mrs. Edith Bolling Galt, 43, widow of Norman Galt, this evening at the bride’s home in Washington, D.C. Continue reading U.S. President Woodrow Wilson marries Mrs. Edith Bolling Galt in Washington 110 years ago this hour (Dec 18 1915)

Fromme gets life in prison for Ford assassination attempt 50 years ago today (Dec 17 1975)


Video: 'Squeaky Fromme sentenced to life'

(Wednesday, December 17, 1975) — Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme was sentenced today in Sacramento, California, to life in prison for her Sept. 5, 1975, attempt on the life of President Gerald R. Ford at a hearing at which she screamed and hit the prosecutor with an apple. Continue reading Fromme gets life in prison for Ford assassination attempt 50 years ago today (Dec 17 1975)