Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Long-shot candidate George McGovern places surprising second in first ever Iowa Caucuses 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1972)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Iowa Caucus History: George McGovern’s Early Momentum in 1972'

(Monday, January 24, 1972, caucuses scheduled to convene at 8:00 p.m. CST; during the 1972 Democratic Party presidential primaries) — The Iowa Caucuses, which would mark the opening of delegate selection in U.S. presidential election campaigns, was conducted for the first time tonight by the Democratic Party (Republicans would hold their first Iowa caucuses in 1976). Continue reading Long-shot candidate George McGovern places surprising second in first ever Iowa Caucuses 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1972) →

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially approves project to make first atomic weapons 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 19 1942)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'The Birth of the Manhattan Project - WW2 Special'

(Monday, January 19, 1942; during World War II) — Responding to a Nov. 27, 1941, recommendation by Vannevar Bush that “an atomic bomb WAS feasible,” U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, spurred on by the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, replied today with a brief handwritten note, “V. B. OK — returned — I think you had best keep this in your own safe FDR.” Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially approves project to make first atomic weapons 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 19 1942) →

Former U.S. President John Tyler, 71, dies in Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 18 1862)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


Video: '#10 John Tyler'

(Saturday, January 18, 1862, 12:15 a.m. local time) — John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, serving from 1841 to 1845, after briefly holding office as the 10th vice president in 1841, died early today in Richmond, Virginia, most likely due to a stroke, at age 71. Continue reading Former U.S. President John Tyler, 71, dies in Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 18 1862) →

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill becomes first head of state to cross Atlantic Ocean by plane 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1942)

1940s, Movies 1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Mr Churchill Comes Home (1942)'

(Saturday, January 17, 1942, shortly before 10:00 a.m. British Summer Time; during World War II) — British Prime Minister Winston Churchill became the first head of state to cross the Atlantic Ocean by plane when he landed this morning in Plymouth, England, after an eighteen-hour flight from Bermuda following the Arcadia Conference with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Continue reading British Prime Minister Winston Churchill becomes first head of state to cross Atlantic Ocean by plane 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1942) →

‘A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy’ taped 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 15 1962)

1960s, Television 1960s, U.S. Presidents

Video: 'A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy (Best Quality)'

(Monday, January 15, 1962, President Kennedy recorded his appearance at 4:50 p.m. EST) — First Lady Jackie Kennedy hosted Charles Collingwood and a CBS News television crew at the White House today for an unprecedented look at the American presidential residence. Continue reading ‘A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy’ taped 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 15 1962) →

Senate confirms President Lincoln’s choice of Edwin Stanton to be Secretary of War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 15 1862)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.2of9.A.Very.Bloody.Affair.' (Stanton confirmed to replace Cameron at 9:40)

(Wednesday, January 15, 1862; during the American Civil War) — U.S. Senate confirmed President Abraham Lincoln’s choice of Edwin M. Stanton to be the new Secretary of War, replacing Simon Cameron. Continue reading Senate confirms President Lincoln’s choice of Edwin Stanton to be Secretary of War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 15 1862) →

President George H.W. Bush faints, then vomits on Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1992)

1990s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Bad Sushi'

(Wednesday, January 8, 1992, 8:20 p.m. Japan Standard Time; during the George H. W. Bush vomiting incident) — U.S. President George H.W. Bush fainted tonight in Tokyo while attending a banquet at the home of Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, and then vomited in Miyazawa’s lap. Continue reading President George H.W. Bush faints, then vomits on Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1992) →

Edith Wilson, America’s ‘first female president,’ dies in Washington 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 28 1961)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Edith Bolling Wilson: From Wytheville to the White House'

(Thursday, December 28, 1961, 10:45 p.m. EST) — Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, the first lady of the United States from 1915 to 1921 and the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson, died tonight of congestive heart failure at her Washington home. She was 89. Continue reading Edith Wilson, America’s ‘first female president,’ dies in Washington 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 28 1961) →

Mikhail Gorbachev, last Soviet leader, resigns 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 25 1991)

1990s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: '25/12/1991 Mikhail Gorbachev Resignation Speech'

(Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 1991, 7:00 p.m. Eastern European Time; during the Dissolution of the Soviet Union; part of the Cold War and the Revolutions of 1989) — Mikhail Gorbachev, the trailblazer of the Soviet Union’s retreat from the Cold War and the spark for the democratic reforms that ended 70 years of Communist tyranny, told a weary, anxious nation tonight that he was resigning as president and closing out the union. Continue reading Mikhail Gorbachev, last Soviet leader, resigns 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 25 1991) →

Roosevelt, Churchill voice faith to war-weary world on Christmas Eve 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1941)

1940s, Christmas, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Churchill And Roosevelt Christmas Speech (1941)'

(Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 1941, 5:02 p.m EST; during the Arcadia Conference and World War II) — Speaking from the high south portico of the White House, in the twinkling lights of the community Christmas tree on the lawn below them, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill this evening called on the people of their two nations to rededicate themselves in a righteous cause and to “arm their hearts’ for labor, suffering and for the ultimate victory ahead. Continue reading Roosevelt, Churchill voice faith to war-weary world on Christmas Eve 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 24 1941) →