Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

William Henry Harrison inaugurated as ninth president of the United States, John Tyler as tenth VP 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1841)


Video: 'William Henry Harrison's Farewell Address (Full Audiobook)'

(Thursday, March 4, 1841, approximately noon local time) — Former U.S. Senator William Henry Harrison of Ohio was inaugurated today as the ninth president of the United States at the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice Roger B. Taney administering the oath of office.
Continue reading William Henry Harrison inaugurated as ninth president of the United States, John Tyler as tenth VP 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1841)

Inauguration of Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr marks first peaceful transfer of U.S. presidential power between political opponents 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1801)


Video: 'Thomas Jefferson - First Inauguration Address - March 4, 1801'

(Wednesday, March 4, 1801, approximately noon local time) — Vice President Thomas Jefferson, 57, was inaugurated today as the third president of the United States in the Senate chamber of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice John Marshall administering the oath of office.
Continue reading Inauguration of Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr marks first peaceful transfer of U.S. presidential power between political opponents 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1801)

President George H.W. Bush halts combat offensive in Iraq 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 27 1991)


Video: 'President George Bush Oval Office Address on suspension of the Gulf War - February 27, 1991 9 pm.'

(Wednesday, February 27, 1991, 9:02 p.m. EST/Thursday, February 28, 1991, 5:02 a.m. Arabia Standard Time; during the Gulf War) — Declaring that “Kuwait is liberated” and Iraq’s army defeated, U.S. President George H.W. Bush ordered allied forces tonight to suspend offensive military operations against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s isolated and battered army.
Continue reading President George H.W. Bush halts combat offensive in Iraq 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 27 1991)

Twenty-second Constitutional Amendment limiting U.S. presidents to two terms of office ratified 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 27 1951)


Video: 'The 22nd Amendment Explained: The Constitution for Dummies Series'

(Tuesday, February 27, 1951) — The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, which limits to two the number of times a person is eligible for election to the office of President of the United States, was ratified today when the Minnesota Legislature approved it, completing the requisite ratification by 36 of the then 48 states.
Continue reading Twenty-second Constitutional Amendment limiting U.S. presidents to two terms of office ratified 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 27 1951)

President-elect Lincoln secretly arrives in Washington following word of possible assassination plot 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1861)


Video: 'The Secret Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln Before the Civil War'

(Saturday, February 23, 1861, 6:00 a.m. local time, during the Baltimore Plot) — With the nation on the brink of civil war over slavery, President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrived safely in Washington, D.C., in disguise early this morning after learning of a plot to assassinate him as he passed through Baltimore, Maryland.
Continue reading President-elect Lincoln secretly arrives in Washington following word of possible assassination plot 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1861)

Jefferson Davis sworn in as provisional president of the Confederate States of America 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 18 1861)


Video: 'Ken Burns’ Civil War, ep1 part 2-3' (Feb. 18, 1861, at 29:18)

(Monday, February 18, 1861, approximately 1:00 p.m. local time) — Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as provisional president of the Confederate States of America today on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery before an audience estimated at ten thousand people.
Continue reading Jefferson Davis sworn in as provisional president of the Confederate States of America 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 18 1861)

U.S. House breaks Electoral College tie, elects Thomas Jefferson president of the United States 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 17 1801)


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1800'

(Tuesday, February 17, 1801, during the United States presidential election, 1800) — The U.S. House of Representatives chose incumbent Vice President Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as the third president of the United States today after he and former U.S. Senator Aaron Burr of New York tied in the Electoral College.
Continue reading U.S. House breaks Electoral College tie, elects Thomas Jefferson president of the United States 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 17 1801)

First recording by secret taping system installed by U.S. President Nixon made this hour 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 16 1971)


Video: 'Documentary Nixon by Nixon In His Own Words'

(Tuesday, February 16, 1971, unknown time between 7:56 a.m. and 8:58 a.m. EST) — The first recording by a taping system secretly installed by the United States Secret Service, at the request of U.S. President Richard Nixon, was made today at the White House.
Continue reading First recording by secret taping system installed by U.S. President Nixon made this hour 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 16 1971)

President-elect Abraham Lincoln bids farewell to adopted hometown of Springfield, Illinois 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 11 1861)


Video: 'Lincoln's Farewell Address to Springfield'

(Monday, February 11, 1861, 8:00 a.m. local time) — With the country on the brink of civil war over the issue of slavery, U.S. President-elect Abraham Lincoln departed his adopted hometown of Springfield, Illinois, today en route to his inauguration in the nation’s capital on Mar. 4, 1861.
Continue reading President-elect Abraham Lincoln bids farewell to adopted hometown of Springfield, Illinois 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 11 1861)

Seven secessionist slave states form Confederate States of America 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 8 1861)


Video: 'The Confederate States of America'

(Friday, February 8, 1861, at around midnight local time) — The Confederate States of America (CSA), an unrecognized breakaway state that fought against the United States of America during the American Civil War, was formed late tonight in the Alabama Capitol at Montgomery when representatives from seven secessionist slave states unanimously ratified a Provisional Constitution.
Continue reading Seven secessionist slave states form Confederate States of America 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 8 1861)