Video: 'The Primary Source: JFK's 1960 Speech'

(Monday, September 12, 1960, 9:00 p.m. CDT; during the 1960 United States presidential election) — Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kennedy, a Roman Catholic, bluntly told a group of 300 Protestant clergymen meeting tonight at Rice Hotel in Houston that he would resign the presidency if holding it ever required violating his conscience or the national interest. Continue reading ‘I am not the Catholic candidate for President’: JFK addresses ‘religious issue’ head on 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 12 1960) →

Video: 'IFP:135 F-12-1M Eisenhower on Nixon - JFK Campaign Spot'

(Wednesday, August 24, 1960, 10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT; during the 1960 United States presidential election) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had long been ambivalent about Vice President (and now GOP presidential nominee) Richard Nixon, held a televised press conference today in which a reporter, Charles Mohr of Time, mentioned Nixon’s claims that he had been a valuable administration insider and adviser.

Mohr asked Eisenhower if he could give an example of a major idea of Nixon’s that he had heeded. Eisenhower responded with the flip comment, “If you give me a week, I might think of one.”

Although both Eisenhower and Nixon later claimed that he was merely joking with the reporter, the remark hurt Nixon, as it undercut his claims of having greater decision-making experience than Nixon’s Democratic opponent, Senator John F. Kennedy.

The remark proved so damaging to Nixon that the Democrats turned Eisenhower’s statement into a television commercial.

Video: '18th August 1920: Ratification of 19th Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees female suffrage'

(Wednesday, August 18, 1920) — The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote, was ratified today by Tennessee, giving it the two-thirds majority of state ratification necessary to make it the law of the land. Continue reading Constitutional Amendment guaranteeing all American women’s right to vote ratified 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 18 1920) →

Video: '2000 DemConvention Speeches: Al Gore'

(Thursday, August 17, 1960, evening PDT; during the 2000 Democratic National Convention) — Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee accepted the Democratic presidential nomination tonight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, vowing to work for all Americans, ”especially those who need a voice, those who need a champion, those who need to be lifted up so they are never left behind.” Continue reading Al Gore accepts Democratic presidential nomination 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 17 2000) →

Video: '1980 Jimmy Carter Democratic Convention Acceptance Speech'

(Thursday, August 14, 1980, 10:29-11:20 p.m. EDT; during the 1980 Democratic National Convention) — President Jimmy Carter of Georgia accepted the Democratic presidential nomination tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York City, declaring that he would “mount a campaign that defines the real issues, a campaign that responds to the intelligence of the American people, a campaign that talks sense. And we’re going to beat the Republicans in November.” Continue reading President Carter accepts nomination for second term 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 14 1980) →

Video: '"The Dream Shall Never Die" Ted Kennedy DNC 1980'

(Tuesday, August 12, 1980, approximately 9:30 p.m. EDT; the 1980 Democratic National Convention) — U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, having withdrawn his challenge to President Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination on Aug. 11, delivered his “The Dream Shall Never Die” speech tonight at the Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City, calling for Democrats to “keep the faith” with their traditional principles.

Kennedy defended post-World War II liberalism, advocated for a national healthcare insurance model, criticized Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan and implicitly rebuked Carter for his more moderate political stances.

“For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end,” Kennedy said as he concluded the speech. “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

The address has been remembered by some as Kennedy’s best speeches, and one of the most influential orations of the era.

Video: 'George W. Bush 2000 RNC Speech'

(Thursday, August 3, 2000, evening EDT; during the 2000 Republican National Convention) — Texas Governor George W. Bush accepted the Republican presidential nomination tonight at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, pledging to “confront the hard issues — threats to our national security, threats to our health and retirement security” that he said the Clinton administration had consistently ducked. Continue reading George W. Bush accepts Republican presidential nomination 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 2000) →

Video: 'Iraq Invades Kuwait - 8/2/1990'

(Thursday, August 2, 1990, 2:00 a.m. Arabia Standard Time; during the Invasion of Kuwait, part of the Gulf War and the Persian Gulf Conflicts) — After weeks of tension over disputed land and oil production quotas, Iraqi troops crossed the Kuwait border early this morning and penetrated deeply into the country and into Kuwait’s capital city, senior Administration officials said late Aug. 1, 1990. Continue reading Gulf War begins as Iraqi Army invades Kuwait in fierce fighting 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1990) →

Video: '1960 Richard Nixon Republican Convention Acceptance Speech'

(Thursday, July 28, 1960, evening CDT; during the 1960 Republican National Convention) — Vice President Richard Nixon of California accepted the Republican presidential nomination tonight at International Amphitheatre in Chicago, pledging that his administration would develop a “an offensive for peace and freedom” against communism designed to win the battle for freedom without war. Continue reading Richard Nixon accepts Republican presidential nomination 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 28 1960) →