Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Calvin Coolidge sworn in as 30th U.S. president upon death of Warren G. Harding in Plymouth Notch, Vermont 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 1923)


Video: 'This Place in History: Coolidge Homestead'

(Friday, August 3, 1923, 2:47 p.m. EST)Calvin Coolidge, the 29th vice president of the United States, was sworn-in as the 30th President of the United States early this morning at his family home in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, succeeding to the presidency upon the passing of President Warren G. Harding, who had died of natural causes in San Francisco four hours and 17 minutes prior. Continue reading Calvin Coolidge sworn in as 30th U.S. president upon death of Warren G. Harding in Plymouth Notch, Vermont 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 1923)

U.S. President Warren G. Harding, 57, dies of a heart attack in San Francisco 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1923)


Video: 'Harding Dead (1920-1923)'

(Thursday, August 2, 1923, at around 7:30 p.m. PST)Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, died tonight of congestive heart failure during a conversation with his wife in the Palace Hotel’s presidential suite in San Francisco, California. Continue reading U.S. President Warren G. Harding, 57, dies of a heart attack in San Francisco 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1923)

U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew formally notified he’s under investigation on charges of bribery, extortion and tax fraud 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1973)


Video: 'SYND 22-8-73 VICE PRESIDENT AGNEW PRESS STATEMENT ON HIS INDICTMENT'

(Thursday, August 2, 1973) — U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew was formally notified today that he was under federal investigation, unrelated to the Watergate scandal, for possible violations of bribery, conspiracy and tax fraud. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew formally notified he’s under investigation on charges of bribery, extortion and tax fraud 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1973)

U.S. Navy Lt. (jg) John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 rammed and sunk by Japanese destroyer 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1943)


Video: 'American Experience: JFK & the PT 109'

(Monday, August 2, 1943, 2:27 a.m. local time; part of the the Solomon Islands campaign of the Pacific theater of World War II) — The U.S. Navy patrol torpedo boat PT-109, with a crew of 13 commanded by Lieutenant (j.g.) John F. Kennedy, future United States president, was traveling this morning through the Blackett Strait in the Solomon Islands, when it was rammed and sunk by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri. Continue reading U.S. Navy Lt. (jg) John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 rammed and sunk by Japanese destroyer 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1943)

U.S. President John F. Kennedy calls limited nuclear test ban treaty a ‘victory for mankind’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 26 1963)


Video: 'President Kennedy radio and television address on the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, July 26, 1963'

(Friday, July 26, 1963, 7:00 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy, speaking to the nation tonight in a “spirit of hope,” described the treaty for a Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty as a “victory for mankind” in its pursuit of peace. Continue reading U.S. President John F. Kennedy calls limited nuclear test ban treaty a ‘victory for mankind’ 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 26 1963)

U.S. President Gerald R. Ford born in Omaha, Nebraska 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 14 1913)


Video: 'Gerald Ford Biography: U.S. President and Congressman'

(Monday, July 14, 1913, 12:43 a.m. CST)Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States (1974-1977) and the 40th Vice President of the United States (1973-1974), was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr., today at 3202 Woolworth Avenue in Omaha, Nebraska, where his parents lived with his paternal grandparents. Continue reading U.S. President Gerald R. Ford born in Omaha, Nebraska 110 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 14 1913)

Alexander Butterfield privately reveals existence of Nixon’s secret taping system 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 13 1973)


Video: 'The Nixon Tapes'

(Friday, July 13, 1973 2:00-6:30 p.m. EDT; during the Watergate Scandal) — Alexander Butterfield, the former chief assistant to White House Chief of Staff H. R. Haldeman, under questioning by Senate Watergate Committee staff members behind closed doors, revealed today that almost all of President Richard Nixon’s conversations in the Oval Office of the White House had been tape recorded, the first indication to investigators of the Watergate scandal of a previously unknown source of evidence. Continue reading Alexander Butterfield privately reveals existence of Nixon’s secret taping system 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 13 1973)

New York City draft riots erupt in Manhattan during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 13 1863)


Video: 'In Search Of History - The Civil War Draft Riots (History Channel Documentary)'

(Monday, July 13, 1863, 10:00 a.m. local time; during the New York City draft riots, part of Opposition to the American Civil War) — The four-day New York City draft riots, widely regarded as the culmination of white working-class discontent with new laws passed by Congress that year to draft men to fight in the ongoing American Civil War, began today when a furious crowd of around 500, led by the volunteer firemen of Engine Company 33 (known as the “Black Joke”), attacked the assistant Ninth District provost marshal’s office, at Third Avenue and 47th Street in the city’s borough of Manhattan, where the second drawing of draft numbers was taking place. Continue reading New York City draft riots erupt in Manhattan during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 13 1863)

Confederates surrender last major stronghold on Mississippi River during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 4 1863)


Video: 'Vicksburg: Animated Battle Map' (Confederate surrender at 17:00)

(Saturday, July 4, 1863, 10:00 a.m. local time; during the Siege of Vicksburg, part of the Vicksburg Campaign of the western theater of the American Civil War) — The 47-day Siege of Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi, ended today as Confederate Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton officially surrendered his army. Continue reading Confederates surrender last major stronghold on Mississippi River during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 4 1863)

Battle of Gettysburg ends in decisive Union victory during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1863)


Video:'Battle Of Gettysburg (Full Documentary)' (July 3, 1863, at 1:00:08)

(Friday, July 3, 1863, approximately 3:35 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Gettysburg, part of the Gettysburg Campaign of the American Civil War) — The three-day American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, fought in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, ended today in a decisive victory for the North after a dramatic infantry assault by around 12,000 Confederates against the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge, known as Pickett’s Charge. Continue reading Battle of Gettysburg ends in decisive Union victory during American Civil War 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1863)