Video: 'Iran Hostage Crisis' (Operation Eagle Claw at 2:49)

(Friday, April 25, 1980, 2:00 a.m. Iran Daylight Time) — Operation Eagle Claw, an attempt to rescue 52 embassy staff held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran, was aborted early this morning after mechanical problems grounded rescue helicopters and eight U.S. servicemen were killed when a helicopter crashed into a transport aircraft. Continue reading 8 crewmen die as U.S. attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran fails 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 25 1980) →

Video: 'The Library of Congress Is Your Library'

(Thursday, April 24, 1800) — The Library of Congress (LOC), the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the de facto national library of the U.S., was established today when President John Adams signed an act of Congress providing for the transfer of the seat of government from Philadelphia to the new capital city of Washington. Continue reading Library of Congress established 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 24 1800) →

(Thursday, April 14, 1910, afternoon local time) — William H. Taft began the tradition of the President of the United States throwing the ceremonial “first pitch” to open the professional baseball season today at Boundary Field, also known as American League Park II and National Park, just outside what was then the city limit of Washington. Continue reading Taft becomes first POTUS to throw Opening Day ceremonial ‘first pitch’ 110 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 14 1910) →

Video: 'Winston cigarettes TV ad, 1970'

(Wednesday, April 1, 1970) — President Richard Nixon signed the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act into law tonight, banning cigarette television and radio advertisements in the United States effective Jan. 2, 1971. Continue reading President Nixon signs bill banning radio-TV cigarette ads 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 1 1970) →

Video: 'John C. Calhoun'

(Sunday, March 31, 1850, 7:00 a.m. local time) — John C. Calhoun, the seventh Vice President of the United States (1825–1832) who served under presidents John Q. Adams (1825-1829) and Andrew Jackson (1829-1832) and became the first VPOTUS to resign on Dec. 28, 1832, died today at the Old Brick Capitol boarding house in Washington, D.C., of tuberculosis, at the age of 68. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun dies 170 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 31 1850) →

Video: '#10 John Tyler'

(Monday, March 29, 1790) — John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States (1841-1845) and the tenth vice president of the U.S. during the administration of President William Henry Harrison (1841), was born today in Charles City County, Virginia. Continue reading U.S. President John Tyler born in Charles City County, Virginia 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 29 1790) →

Video: 'President Obama Signs Health Reform Into Law'

(Monday, March 23, 2010, ceremonies began at 11:30 a.m. EDT) — U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law today at the White House in Washington. Continue reading President Obama signs landmark Affordable Care Act 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 2010) →

Video: '3/21/80: Olympic Boycott Dispute'

(Friday, March 21, 1980, 2:30 p.m. EST; during the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott) — President Jimmy Carter informed some 160 U.S. athletes and coaches today that the United States would boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow in response to the December 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Continue reading Carter, in plea to athletes, is firm on Olympic boycott 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1980) →

Video: 'Monster In My Family: Full Episode - Killer Clown: John Wayne Gacy (Season 1, Episode 6) | LMN' (verdict at 34:35)

(Wednesday, March 12, 1980) — A Chicago jury found John Wayne Gacy, 37, guilty today of the murders of 33 men and boys, more than any other mass killer in the history of the nation. Continue reading Gacy found guilty of killing 33, record for U.S. mass murder 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1980) →