Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Gerald Ford sworn in as 38th U.S. president, declaring ‘our long nightmare is over’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1974)


Video: 'Swearing in Ceremony of Gerald R. Ford as 38th President of the United States, August 9. 1974'

(Friday, August 9, 1974, 12:03 a.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal)Gerald Rudolph Ford became the 38th president of the United States today, promising that “our long national nightmare is over.” Continue reading Gerald Ford sworn in as 38th U.S. president, declaring ‘our long nightmare is over’ 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1974)

U.S. President Richard Nixon warns against bitterness and revenge in emotional farewell to White House staff 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1974)


Video: 'President Nixon's Farewell to the White House Staff'

(Friday, August 9, 1974, 9:32 a.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — U.S. President Richard M. Nixon, his face wet with tears, bade an emotional farewell to the remnants of his broken administration today, urging its members to be proud of their record in government and warning them against bitterness, self-pity, and revenge. Continue reading U.S. President Richard Nixon warns against bitterness and revenge in emotional farewell to White House staff 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 9 1974)

‘I shall resign’: Richard Nixon becomes first U.S. President to announce his resignation 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1974)


Video: 'CBS News vault: 1974 Nixon resignation'

(Thursday, August 8, 1974, 9:01 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — Richard Milhous Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, announced tonight that he had given up his long and arduous fight to remain in office and would resign, effective at noon tomorrow. Continue reading ‘I shall resign’: Richard Nixon becomes first U.S. President to announce his resignation 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1974)

U.S. President Richard Nixon admits cover-up role in Watergate scandal 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1974)


Video: 'From the archives: Nixon's Watergate "smoking gun" tape released'

(Monday, August 5, 1974, approximately 4:30 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — In a sharp setback to his fight against impeachment, U.S. President Richard Nixon admitted this afternoon that six days after the Watergate burglary he ordered a halt to the investigation of the break?in for political as well as national security reasons and that he kept the evidence from his lawyers and supporters on the House Judiciary Committee. Continue reading U.S. President Richard Nixon admits cover-up role in Watergate scandal 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1974)

John Kerry accepts Democratic presidential nomination, pledges to ‘restore trust’ 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 29 2004)


Video: '2004 Democratic National Convention - John Kerry's Speech (7/29/04)'

(Thursday, July 29, 1984, Kerry began speaking at 10:09 p.m., he accepted the nomination at 10:22 p.m. EDT) — U.S. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts accepted the nomination for President of the United States tonight at the 2004 Democratic National Convention at the FleetCenter in Boston, pledging to “restore trust and credibility to the White House.” Continue reading John Kerry accepts Democratic presidential nomination, pledges to ‘restore trust’ 20 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 29 2004)

House Judiciary Committee adopts first of three impeachment articles against U.S. President Richard Nixon 50 years ago this hour (Jul 27 1974)


Video: 'SYND 28 7 74 JUDICIARY COMMITEE VOTE TO IMPEACH NIXON'

(Saturday, July 27, 1974, 7:05:21 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — The House Judiciary Committee voted tonight, 27 to 11, to recommend the impeachment of U.S. President Richard Nixon on a charge that he personally engaged in a “course of conduct” designed to obstruct justice in the Watergate case. Continue reading House Judiciary Committee adopts first of three impeachment articles against U.S. President Richard Nixon 50 years ago this hour (Jul 27 1974)

U.S. Supreme Court orders President Richard Nixon to surrender Watergate tapes 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 24 1974)


Video: 'Is the President Above the Law? | United States v. Nixon'

(Wednesday, July 24, 1974, 11:00 a.m. EDT; during the Watergate scandal) — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today, 8 to 0, that President Richard Nixon must provide potential evidence for the criminal trial of his formers subordinates, rejecting flatly the President’s contention that he had absolute authority to withhold such material. Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court orders President Richard Nixon to surrender Watergate tapes 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 24 1974)

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt accepts Democratic nomination for unprecedented fourth term 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 20 1944)


Video: 'President Franklin D. Roosevelt Is Nominated For 4th Term 1944 | HD Stock Footage'

(Thursday, July 20, 1944, 8:20 p.m. PWT; during World War II) — President Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York accepted the Democratic nomination for an unprecedented fourth term of office tonight during an address from an observation car on the presidential train located at a naval base in San Diego, California, (FDR on his way to a military conference in Hawaii) to delegates at the 1944 Democratic National Convention at Chicago Stadium in Chicago. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt accepts Democratic nomination for unprecedented fourth term 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 20 1944)

Walter Mondale accepts Democratic presidential nomination, promises to raise taxes 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 19 1984)


Video: '1984 Walter Mondale Democratic Convention Acceptance Speech

(Thursday, July 19, 1984, evening PDT) — Former Vice President Walter Mondale accepted the nomination for President of the United States tonight at the Democratic National Convention at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, promising to “stop the illegal war in Nicaragua,” meet the Soviets once a year and slash the deficit by raising taxes. Continue reading Walter Mondale accepts Democratic presidential nomination, promises to raise taxes 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 19 1984)

U.S. Vice President Elbridge Gerry born in Marblehead, Massachusetts 280 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 17 1744)


Video: 'Vice President Elbridge Gerry: Our Vices #5'

(Tuesday, July 17, 1744)Elbridge Gerry, the fifth vice president of the United States under President James Madison from 1813 until his death in 1814 at age 70, was born today in the North Shore town of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Elbridge Gerry born in Marblehead, Massachusetts 280 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 17 1744)