Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis born in Topeka, Kansas Territory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1860)


Video: 'Throwback Thursday with the History Guy: Vice President Charles Curtis'

(Wednesday, January 25, 1860)Charles Curtis, the 31st vice president of the United States, who served from 1929 to 1933 during the administration of President Herbert Hoover, was born today in Topeka, Kansas Territory, prior to its admission as a state. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis born in Topeka, Kansas Territory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1860)

U.S. President Millard Fillmore born in Moravia, New York 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 7 1800)


Video: '#13 Millard Fillmore'

(Tuesday, January 7, 1800)Millard Fillmore, the 13th president of the United States (1850-1853) and the 12th vice president of the United States (1849-1850) during the administration of Zachary Taylor (and succeeded to the presidency upon Taylor’s death), was born today in a log cabin, on a farm in what is now Moravia, Cayuga County, in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Continue reading U.S. President Millard Fillmore born in Moravia, New York 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 7 1800)

‘Bud’ Zumwalt, admiral who modernized the Navy, dies 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 2 2000)


Video: 'Admiral Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt Jr.'

(Sunday, January 2, 2000) — Admiral Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., who as chief of naval operations in the early 1970’s ordered the Navy to end racial discrimination and demeaning restrictions on sailors, then faced a haunting personal anguish that he attributed to the defoliant Agent Orange, died today at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, from mesothelioma. Continue reading ‘Bud’ Zumwalt, admiral who modernized the Navy, dies 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 2 2000)

Senator John F. Kennedy announces presidential candidacy 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 2 1960)


Video: 'IFP:83B JFK Announces Candidacy for President'

(Saturday, January 2, 1960, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EST) — U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts formally announced today that he would seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Continue reading Senator John F. Kennedy announces presidential candidacy 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 2 1960)

Former U.S. President George Washington dies 220 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1799)


Video: 'The Man Who Wouldn't Be King'

(Friday, December 14, 1799, between 10:00-11:00 p.m. local time)George Washington, the first president of the United States (1789-1797), died tonight from acute epiglottitis at his Mount Vernon plantation near Alexandria, Virginia, at age 67. Continue reading Former U.S. President George Washington dies 220 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1799)

Alabama enters Union as 22nd state 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1819)


Video: 'Alabama - 50 States - US Geography'

(Tuesday, December 14, 1819) — President James Monroe signed a congressional resolution today admitting Alabama, located in the southeastern region of the United States, as the 22nd state. Continue reading Alabama enters Union as 22nd state 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1819)

Americans observe a day of thanksgiving proclaimed by President Washington 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1789)


Video: 'Thanksgiving Day Proclamation of 1789 by President George Washington FULL Audio Book'

(Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 1789) — Americans observed a day of thanksgiving today set aside on Oct. 3, 1789, by President George Washington to “be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” Continue reading Americans observe a day of thanksgiving proclaimed by President Washington 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1789)

U.S. Vice President Garret Hobart dies 120 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 21 1899)


Video: 'Ebru Today - DC Connection - V.P. Garret Augustus Hobart'

(Tuesday, November 21, 1899, 8:30 a.m. local time)Garret Hobart, the 24th Vice President of the United States since March 4, 1897, during the administration of President William McKinley, died this morning of heart disease at his home in Paterson, New Jersey. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Garret Hobart dies 120 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 21 1899)

U.S. Senate rejects Treaty of Versailles 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 19 1919)


Video: 'The Great War episode 8 War Without End' (treaty defeated at 11:01)

(Wednesday, November 19, 1919, 11:10 p.m. EST) — The U.S. Senate adjourned tonight after rejecting the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers, known at the time as the Great War (and later as World War I), by a vote of 55 in favor, 39 against, just short of the two-thirds majority needed for ratification.

The treaty required Germany to disarm, make ample territorial concessions, and pay reparations to certain countries that had formed the Entente power. It also called for the formation of a League of Nations to guarantee the political independence and territorial integrity of all states.

After the Versailles conference, President Woodrow Wilson claimed that “at last the world knows America as the savior of the world!” However, the Republican Party, led by Henry Cabot Lodge, controlled the Senate after the election of 1918.

Wilson launched a speaking tour across the nation in the summer of 1919 to pressure the Senate to approve the treaty, but he suffered a serious stroke that effectively ruined his leadership skills. That and his refusal to compromise made it impossible to build a two-thirds coalition that was needed to pass a treaty.

The Senate would reconsider the treaty once more, with reservations, on March 19, 1920. That vote, 49-35, fell seven votes short of the required two-thirds majority.