Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

President Clinton touts gains as he bid farewell 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 18 2001)


Video: 'Bill Clinton's Farewell Address 2001'

(Thursday, January 18, 2001, 8:00 p.m. EST) — Two days before his term of office expired, U.S. President Bill Clinton said goodbye to the nation tonight, using his final televised address to look back at his administration’s accomplishments and warn the incoming president against retrenching from the world or squandering the country’s economic prosperity. Continue reading President Clinton touts gains as he bid farewell 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 18 2001)

President Eisenhower warns nation of corrupting ‘military-industrial complex’ influence in farewell address 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1961)


Video: 'Eisenhower Farewell Address (Best Quality) - 'Military Industrial Complex' WARNING'

(Tuesday, January 27, 1961, 8:30 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower cautioned the nation in a farewell address from the White House tonight to be vigilant against dangers to its liberties implicit in a vast military establishment and a permanent armaments industry unparalleled in peacetime.
Continue reading President Eisenhower warns nation of corrupting ‘military-industrial complex’ influence in farewell address 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1961)

U.S. and allied forces open air war on Iraq to force Saddam Hussein’s army from Kuwait 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1991)


Video: 'Actual Footage of Desert Storm's First Apache Strikes'

(Thursday, January 17, 1991, 2:38 a.m. Arabia Standard Time/Wednesday, January 16, 1991, 6:38 p.m. EST; during the Gulf War air campaign, part of the Gulf War) — The United States and allied forces opened the long-threatened war this morning to drive President Saddam Hussein’s army from Kuwait, striking Baghdad and other targets in Iraq and Kuwait with waves of bombers and cruise missiles launched from naval vessels.
Continue reading U.S. and allied forces open air war on Iraq to force Saddam Hussein’s army from Kuwait 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1991)

U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge born in Lexington, Kentucky 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 16 1821)


Video: 'Worst 5 Vice Presidents in American History' (Breckinridge at 2:43)

(Tuesday, January 16, 1821)John C. Breckinridge, the 14th and youngest-ever vice president of the United States, who served during the administration of President James Buchanan (1857–1861), was born today at Thorn Hill, his family’s estate near Lexington, Kentucky.
Continue reading U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge born in Lexington, Kentucky 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 16 1821)

President Jimmy Carter cites peril of arms buildup in farewell speech 40 years ago this hour (Jan 14 1981)


Video: 'Jimmy Carter Farewell Address (January 14 1981)'

(Wednesday, January 14, 1981, 9:00 p.m. EST) — Six days before his term of office expired, U.S. President Jimmy Carter said farewell to the nation tonight in an address from the Oval Office in which he called on Americans to continue the struggle to avoid nuclear war, protect the environment and enhance human rights.
Continue reading President Jimmy Carter cites peril of arms buildup in farewell speech 40 years ago this hour (Jan 14 1981)

Alabama becomes fourth Southern state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 11 1861)


Video: 'Alabama in the Civil War'

(Friday, January 11, 1861; nine weeks after the 1860 United States presidential election) — 66 days after Abraham Lincoln’s victory in the presidential election of 1860 on a platform which opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories, Alabama became the fourth Southern state to secede today when delegates to the Alabama Secession Convention meeting in Montgomery voted 61-39 to leave the Union.
Continue reading Alabama becomes fourth Southern state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 11 1861)

Florida becomes third Southern state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 10 1861)


Video: 'Florida in the Civil War'

(Thursday, January 10, 1861; nine weeks after the 1860 United States presidential election) — 65 days after Abraham Lincoln’s victory in the presidential election of 1860 on a platform which opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories, Florida became the third state to secede today when a special secession convention formally known as the “Convention of the People of Florida” meeting in Tallahassee voted to leave the Union.
Continue reading Florida becomes third Southern state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 10 1861)

President-elect Kennedy pledges rule of integrity in ‘City Upon a Hill’ speech 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 9 1961)


Video: 'January 9, 1961 - President-Elect John F. Kennedy addresses the Massachusetts State Legislature'

(Monday, January 9, 1961; nearly nine weeks after the 1960 United States presidential election) — 11 days before his inauguration, President-elect John F. Kennedy delivered his “City Upon a Hill” speech, telling Massachusetts legislators today in Boston that he hoped his administration would be judged finally on its qualities of courage, judgment, integrity and dedication. Continue reading President-elect Kennedy pledges rule of integrity in ‘City Upon a Hill’ speech 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 9 1961)

Mississippi becomes second Southern state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 9 1861)


Video: 'Mississippi in the Civil War'

(Wednesday, January 9, 1861; nine weeks after the 1860 United States presidential election) — 64 days after Abraham Lincoln’s victory in the presidential election of 1860 on a platform which opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories, Mississippi became the second state to secede today when a state convention meeting in Jackson voted 84-15 to leave the Union.
Continue reading Mississippi becomes second Southern state to secede from the Union 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 9 1861)

FDR outlines ‘Four Freedoms’ in State of the Union address 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 6 1941)


Video: 'Four Freedoms Speech'

(Monday, January 6, 1941, 2:00 p.m. EST; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his Four Freedoms speech today before a joint session of the new 77th Congress, proposing four fundamental freedoms that all the people of the world ought to enjoy: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

Continue reading FDR outlines ‘Four Freedoms’ in State of the Union address 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 6 1941)