Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

‘We’re making steady progress in Vietnam,’ says Ambassador Bunker 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1967)

Cold War, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War


Video: 'Our World Winter 1968 Part 1' (Nov. 15, 1967, at 2:08)

(Wednesday, November 15, 1967; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam Ellsworth Bunker, having returned to Washington on Nov. 10, 1967, to report to President Lyndon Johnson, said today that “we’re making steady progress in Vietnam” following a two-hour closed-door briefing of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee. Continue reading ‘We’re making steady progress in Vietnam,’ says Ambassador Bunker 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1967) →

Thousands pour into Holland Tunnel after gala opening 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 12 1927)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Holland Tunnel Construction'

(Saturday, November 12, 1927, 4:55 p.m. EST) — The Holland Tunnel, a highway tunnel under the Hudson River between Canal Street in Manhattan in New York City and Jersey City in New Jersey, opened today to the public after President Calvin Coolidge, aboard his yacht, the Mayflower, at anchor in the Potomac River, pressed a button that rang a large brass bell at the entrance. Continue reading Thousands pour into Holland Tunnel after gala opening 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 12 1927) →

LBJ signs bill creating nonprofit TV agency 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1967)

1960s, Television 1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The President: November 1967. MP890.' (Nov. 7, 1967, at 3:03)

(Tuesday, November 7, 1967, 11:33 a.m. EST) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 into law today, establishing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to accelerate the growth and improve the quality of noncommercial television. Continue reading LBJ signs bill creating nonprofit TV agency 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1967) →

Former U.S. Vice President John Nance Garner dies 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1967)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: ‘Cactus Jack: Lone Star on Capitol Hill’

(Tuesday, November 7, 1967, 8:20 a.m. CST) — John Nance Garner, the 32nd Vice President of the United States from 1933 to 1941, during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, died today of a heart attack at his home in Ulvade, Texas. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President John Nance Garner dies 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1967) →

PBS documentary examines abuse of power 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1987)

1980s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: ‘The Secret Government: The Constitution in Crisis’

(Wednesday, November 4, 1987, 9:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. EST) — American journalist and political commentator Bill Moyers produced and hosted The Secret Government: The Constitution in Crisis tonight on PBS-TV, examining the Iran-Contra scandal as the most recent example of the continuing abuse of democratic values by unaccountable intelligence operations during the Cold War. Continue reading PBS documentary examines abuse of power 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1987) →

LBJ convenes ‘Wise Men’ to discuss Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)

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


Video: 'American Experience LBJ 2' (Nov. 2, 1967, at 1:16:39)

(Thursday, November 2, 1967, 10:42 a.m.-2:20 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson held a secret meeting today at the White House with “the Wise Men,” a group of “former officials whose advice he trusted” and asked them to suggest ways to unite the American people behind the Vietnam War. Continue reading LBJ convenes ‘Wise Men’ to discuss Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967) →

Jackie Kennedy arrives in Cambodia 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967)

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


Video: 'November 2, 1967 - Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arriving at Pochentong Airport, Phnom Penh'

(Thursday, November 2, 1967); during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy arrived to a thunderous welcome today in neutral Cambodia (next door to South Vietnam) at Pochentong Airport in Phnom Penh, greeted by Prince Norodom Sihanouk. Continue reading Jackie Kennedy arrives in Cambodia 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 2 1967) →

Youngest American first lady dies 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 29 1947)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, Uncategorized


Video: 'Frances Cleveland'

(Wednesday, October 29, 1947, 12 noon EST) — Former First Lady Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston, who at age 21, remains the youngest wife of a sitting U.S. president, died today at the home of her son, Richard F. Cleveland, in Baltimore at age 83. Continue reading Youngest American first lady dies 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 29 1947) →

Bush draws foes’ fire in first 1988 GOP presidential debate 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 28 1987)

1980s, U.S. Presidents

(Wednesday, October 28, 1987, 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. CST) — The six Republican presidential candidates faced off in their first debate of the 1988 campaign tonight in Houston, and five of them aimed sharp attacks or subtle barbs at Vice President George H.W. Bush, who is far ahead of his adversaries in the public opinion polls. Continue reading Bush draws foes’ fire in first 1988 GOP presidential debate 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 28 1987) →