Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Egyptian ferry sinks in Red Sea, killing more than 1,000 people 20 years ago this hour (Feb 3 2006)

2000s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Why did they allow it to sail!? - Al Salam Boccaccio 98 Ferry Disaster (What The History E02)'

(Friday, February 3, 2006, 1:33 a.m. Eastern European Time) — An Egyptian passenger ferry carrying more than 1,400 people sank in the Red Sea overnight during stormy weather, killing more than 1,000 passengers in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region’s history, Egyptian officials said today. Continue reading Egyptian ferry sinks in Red Sea, killing more than 1,000 people 20 years ago this hour (Feb 3 2006) →

President George W. Bush says U.S. must cut reliance on oil in SOTU address 20 years ago this hour (Jan 31 2006)

2000s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'State Of The Union Address 2006'

(Tuesday, January 31, 2006, 9:12 p.m. EST) — U.S. President George W. Bush offered the nation a modest menu of energy, health and education proposals and warned against the “false comfort of isolationism” tonight in a State of the Union address that sought to reassert his control over the nation’s agenda heading into a pivotal midterm election campaign.

George H.W. Bush sworn in as CIA director 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1976)

1970s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'George H.W. Bush in 1976'

(Friday, January 30, 1976, 11:02 a.m. EST) — George H.W. Bush, with President Gerald Ford in attendance, was sworn in today as the 11th Director of Central Intelligence (replacing William Colby) to head the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, recently rocked by a series of revelations, including those based on investigations by the Church Committee regarding illegal and unauthorized activities. Continue reading George H.W. Bush sworn in as CIA director 50 years ago this hour (Jan 30 1976) →

Reagan postpones State of the Union to address Challenger disaster 40 years ago this hour (Jan 28 1986)

1980s, space exploration, Television 1980s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Challenger: President Reagan's Challenger Disaster Speech - 1/28/86'

(Tuesday, January 28, 1986, 5:00 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan, saying “today is a day for mourning and remembering,” postponed the State of the Union speech he had planned for tonight because of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Continue reading Reagan postpones State of the Union to address Challenger disaster 40 years ago this hour (Jan 28 1986) →

Clinton offers challenge to nation, declaring, ‘era of big government is over’ 30 years ago this hour (Jan 23 1996)

1990s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'From the archives: Clinton says "era of big government is over" in 1996 State of the Union address'

(Tuesday, January 23, 1996, 9:14 p.m. EST) — Offering his own idea of limited government to compete with the Republican vision, U.S. President Bill Clinton tonight challenged the nation to provide enough educational opportunities, economic security and freedom from crime to allow Americans to make the most of an “age of possibility.”

In an election-year State of the Union Message intended far more for voters than for the Republican-controlled Congress, Clinton separated himself from Democratic orthodoxy, twice pronouncing that the “era of big government is over.”

U.S. President Gerald Ford appeals for ‘new realism’ in State of the Union Address 50 years ago this hour (Jan 19 1976)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Ford's 1976 State of the Union Address'

(Monday, January 19, 1976, 9:00 p.m. EST) — In his second State of the Union address, U.S. President Gerald Ford, declaring that “common sense” dictated a self-disciplined course at the outset of the third American century, called tonight on Congress to act with restraint in meeting the immediate needs and expectations of the nation.

Former first lady Eliza McCardle Johnson dies 150 years ago today (Jan 15 1876)

1870s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'First Ladies Preview: Eliza Johnson'

(Saturday, January 15, 1876, 11:00 p.m. local time) — Former first lady Eliza McCardle Johnson, who served with her husband, U.S. President Andrew Johnson, from 1865 to 1869, died today in Greeneville, Tennessee, from complications due to tuberculosis at age 65, having survived her husband by only five and a half months.

Sara Jane Moore gets life in prison for Ford assassination attempt 50 years ago today (Jan 15 1976)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Gerald Ford - Assassination Attempts (02)' (Sept. 22, 1975, at 1:08)

(Thursday, January 15, 1976) — Sara Jane Moore was sentenced today to life in prison by a Federal district judge who said that she would not have tried to kill U.S. President Gerald Ford in San Francisco on Sept. 22, 1975, “if we had in this country any effective capital punishment law.” Continue reading Sara Jane Moore gets life in prison for Ford assassination attempt 50 years ago today (Jan 15 1976) →

Robert C. Weaver nominated to become first African-American in presidential cabinet 60 years ago this hour (Jan 13 1966)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: '1966 Robert C. Weaver Becomes First African American To Be Appointed to Cabinet' (Jan. 18, 1966)

(Thursday, January 13, 1966, 4:15 p.m. EST; during the Civil rights movement) — Robert C. Weaver was nominated today to become the first African American to serve as a member of the U.S. president’s cabinet by President Lyndon B. Johnson, specifically as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

LBJ asks domestic reform, stands firm on Vietnam in State of the Union address 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966)

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


Video: 'CBS News Special Report: LBJ's State of the Union address IN COLOR (January 12, 1966)'

(Wednesday, January 12, 1966, 9:04 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — In his third State of the Union message, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson pledged soberly tonight to stay in Vietnam “until aggression has stopped” but also promised to continue and expand the Great Society at home. Continue reading LBJ asks domestic reform, stands firm on Vietnam in State of the Union address 60 years ago this hour (Jan 12 1966) →