Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

‘I am paying for this microphone!’: Reagan scolds debate moderator 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1980)


Video: 'NH Primary Vault: Ronald Reagan's microphone moment in 1980'

(Saturday, February 23, 1980, evening EST; during the 1980 Republican Party presidential primaries) — Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, running a close race with George H.W. Bush just three days before the critical New Hampshire primary, scolded the moderator of a debate tonight in Nashua, declaring, “I am paying for this microphone, Mr. Green!” Continue reading ‘I am paying for this microphone!’: Reagan scolds debate moderator 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1980) →

U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis born in Topeka, Kansas Territory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1860)


Video: 'Throwback Thursday with the History Guy: Vice President Charles Curtis'

(Wednesday, January 25, 1860) — Charles Curtis, the 31st vice president of the United States, who served from 1929 to 1933 during the administration of President Herbert Hoover, was born today in Topeka, Kansas Territory, prior to its admission as a state. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Charles Curtis born in Topeka, Kansas Territory 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1860) →

U.S. President Millard Fillmore born in Moravia, New York 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 7 1800)


Video: '#13 Millard Fillmore'

(Tuesday, January 7, 1800) — Millard Fillmore, the 13th president of the United States (1850-1853) and the 12th vice president of the United States (1849-1850) during the administration of Zachary Taylor (and succeeded to the presidency upon Taylor’s death), was born today in a log cabin, on a farm in what is now Moravia, Cayuga County, in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Continue reading U.S. President Millard Fillmore born in Moravia, New York 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 7 1800) →

‘Bud’ Zumwalt, admiral who modernized the Navy, dies 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 2 2000)


Video: 'Admiral Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt Jr.'

(Sunday, January 2, 2000) — Admiral Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., who as chief of naval operations in the early 1970’s ordered the Navy to end racial discrimination and demeaning restrictions on sailors, then faced a haunting personal anguish that he attributed to the defoliant Agent Orange, died today at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, from mesothelioma. Continue reading ‘Bud’ Zumwalt, admiral who modernized the Navy, dies 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 2 2000) →

Senator John F. Kennedy announces presidential candidacy 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 2 1960)


Video: 'IFP:83B JFK Announces Candidacy for President'

(Saturday, January 2, 1960, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EST) — U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts formally announced today that he would seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Continue reading Senator John F. Kennedy announces presidential candidacy 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 2 1960) →

Harrison accepts Whig presidential nomination 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1839)

(Thursday, December 19, 1839; following the 1839 Whig National Convention) — Former Senator William Henry Harrison of Ohio accepted the Whig presidential nomination in a letter dated today. Continue reading Harrison accepts Whig presidential nomination 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 19 1839) →

Former U.S. President George Washington dies 220 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1799)


Video: 'The Man Who Wouldn't Be King'

(Friday, December 14, 1799, between 10:00-11:00 p.m. local time) — George Washington, the first president of the United States (1789-1797), died tonight from acute epiglottitis at his Mount Vernon plantation near Alexandria, Virginia, at age 67. Continue reading Former U.S. President George Washington dies 220 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1799) →

Alabama enters Union as 22nd state 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1819)


Video: 'Alabama - 50 States - US Geography'

(Tuesday, December 14, 1819) — President James Monroe signed a congressional resolution today admitting Alabama, located in the southeastern region of the United States, as the 22nd state. Continue reading Alabama enters Union as 22nd state 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1819) →

Americans observe a day of thanksgiving proclaimed by President Washington 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1789)


Video: 'Thanksgiving Day Proclamation of 1789 by President George Washington FULL Audio Book'

(Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 1789) — Americans observed a day of thanksgiving today set aside on Oct. 3, 1789, by President George Washington to “be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” Continue reading Americans observe a day of thanksgiving proclaimed by President Washington 230 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1789) →

U.S. Vice President Garret Hobart dies 120 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 21 1899)


Video: 'Ebru Today - DC Connection - V.P. Garret Augustus Hobart'

(Tuesday, November 21, 1899, 8:30 a.m. local time) — Garret Hobart, the 24th Vice President of the United States since March 4, 1897, during the administration of President William McKinley, died this morning of heart disease at his home in Paterson, New Jersey. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Garret Hobart dies 120 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 21 1899) →