Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Vice President Johnson assures Saigon of aid in army build-up 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 12 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: '1961 Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson Visits Saigon'

(Friday, May 12, 1961, 11:30 a.m. Indochina Time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Vice President Lyndon Johnson told South Vietnam’s National Assembly today in Saigon the United States was ready immediately to help South Vietnam increase its 150,000-man regular military forces by a substantial number. Continue reading Vice President Johnson assures Saigon of aid in army build-up 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 12 1961) →

Astronaut Alan Shepard, first American in space, decorated by President Kennedy 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1961)

1960s, space exploration, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Shepard Medal Presentation'

(Monday, May 8, 1961, 10:00-10:25 a.m. EDT) — Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., 37, who became the first American to travel into space just three days ago aboard Freedom 7, was presented the NASA Distinguished Service Medal by President John F. Kennedy today at the White House.
Continue reading Astronaut Alan Shepard, first American in space, decorated by President Kennedy 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 8 1961) →

September 11 attacks mastermind Osama bin Laden killed by U.S. commandos in Pakistan 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 2011)

2010s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'CNN: Inside the raid that killed Osama bin Laden'

(Monday, May 2, 2011, 1:00 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time; during the War on Terror) — Osama bin Laden, founder of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda and mastermind of the September 11 attacks, was killed early this morning in a firefight with United States Navy SEALs of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group (also known as DEVGRU or SEAL Team Six) in Pakistan.
Continue reading September 11 attacks mastermind Osama bin Laden killed by U.S. commandos in Pakistan 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 2 2011) →

Empire State Building opens in New York City as world’s tallest building 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 1 1931)

1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'New York A Documentary E 5 Cosmopolis' (Empire State Building opens May 1, 1931,at 1:37:27)

(Friday, May 1, 1931, 11:30 a.m. EDT) — The Empire State Building, the tallest building in the world for 40 years, opened today at 350 Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, as President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in the White House that turned on the lights of all 102 stories.
Continue reading Empire State Building opens in New York City as world’s tallest building 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 1 1931) →

Former U.S. Vice President Charles G. Dawes dies 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1951)

1950s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Did U Know: VP Charles Dawes'

(Monday, April 23, 1951, 10:00 p.m. CST) — Charles G. Dawes, the 30th vice president of the United States from 1925 to 1929 during the administration of President Calvin Coolidge, died tonight at his Evanston, Illinois, home from coronary thrombosis at the age of 85.
Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Charles G. Dawes dies 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1951) →

U.S. President James Buchanan born in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1791)

1790s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The American President series profiles the 15th president, James Buchanan'

(Saturday, April 23, 1791) — James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States who served from 1857 to 1861 and the 17th U.S. secretary of state (1845–1849), was born today in a log cabin in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania.
Continue reading U.S. President James Buchanan born in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1791) →

Eisenhower urges nation to back Kennedy on Cuba after Camp David meeting 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'April 22, 1961 - President John F. Kennedy meets former President Dwight Eisenhower at Camp David'

(Saturday, April 22, 1961, 12:46-2:30 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — President John F. Kennedy and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower shaped a policy of national unity today following the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion, conferring for 90 minutes at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.
Continue reading Eisenhower urges nation to back Kennedy on Cuba after Camp David meeting 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1961) →

‘Victory has a hundred fathers…’: JFK dodges Cuba questions at news conference 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'JFK'S 10th PRESS CONFERENCE (APRIL 21, 1961) (VIDEO VERSION)'

(Friday, April 21, 1961, 10:00 a.m. EST; during the Cold War) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy declined to discuss the recent Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba despite repeated questioning by reporters at a news conference today in Washington, except to declare, “There’s an old saying that victory has a hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan… What matters is only one fact, I am the responsible officer of the government.”
Continue reading ‘Victory has a hundred fathers…’: JFK dodges Cuba questions at news conference 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1961) →

Millions cheer General MacArthur during 19-mile ticker tape parade through New York City 70 year ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 20 1951)

1950s, Korean War, U.S. Presidents


Video: '7,000,000 Cheer Macarthur (1951)'

(Friday, April 20, 1951, 11:05 a.m.-5:30 p.m. EST; during the Korean War) — An estimated 7.5 million people turned out in New York City today to give U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, relieved nine days ago by President Harry S. Truman, the nation’s greatest welcome to a returning hero during a 19-mile parade.
Continue reading Millions cheer General MacArthur during 19-mile ticker tape parade through New York City 70 year ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 20 1951) →

‘Old soldiers never die; they just fade away’: General MacArthur delivers farewell address to U.S. Congress 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 19 1951)

1950s, Korean War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'General Douglas MacArthur Farewell Speech to Congress'

(Thursday, April 19, 1951, 12:31 p.m. EST; during the Korean War) — U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, relieved eight days ago by President Harry S. Truman as commander of United Nations forces battling North Korean and communist Chinese forces on the Korean Peninsula, bid farewell today before a joint meeting of Congress, quoting a line from a ballad: “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.”
Continue reading ‘Old soldiers never die; they just fade away’: General MacArthur delivers farewell address to U.S. Congress 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 19 1951) →