Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Carter, Torrijos sign Panama Canal pacts 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1977)

1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'President Jimmy Carter - Statement on the Panama Canal'

(Wednesday, September 7, 1977, 7:35 p.m. EDT) — U.S. President Jimmy Carter and the Commander of Panama’s National Guard, General Omar Torrijos, signed tonight in the Hall of the Americas at the headquarters of the Organization of American States the two treaties that, if ratified by both countries, would transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama by the year 2000. Continue reading Carter, Torrijos sign Panama Canal pacts 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1977) →

Romney discloses ‘greatest brainwashing’ in Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1967)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'George Romney Brainwashing 1968 ElectionWallDotOrg.mp4'

(Monday, September 4, 1967) — In an interview (taped Aug. 31, 1967 and) broadcast today, Michigan Governor George Romney, a leading contender for the 1968 Republican presidential nomination, told Detroit television newsman Lou Gordon today that he “had the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get” by American generals and diplomats into supporting the Vietnam war effort while touring Southeast Asia in 1965. Continue reading Romney discloses ‘greatest brainwashing’ in Vietnam 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 4 1967) →

Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr found not guilty of treason 210 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1807)

1800s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'United States v. Aaron Burr 1977 Judicial Conference of the United States'

(Tuesday, September 1, 1807) — Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr, charged with was found not guilty of treason today in Richmond, Virginia, due to lack of evidence. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr found not guilty of treason 210 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1807) →

Senate confirms Marshall as first African-American justice #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 30 1967)

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


Video: 'Thurgood Marshall Appointed to Supreme Court 1967'

(Wednesday, August 30, 1967) — The Senate today confirmed Thurgood Marshall as the first African American Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court by a vote of 69 to 11. Continue reading Senate confirms Marshall as first African-American justice #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 30 1967) →

Wilson formally names Hoover food administrator 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 10 1917)

1910s, U.S. Presidents, World War I

(Friday, August 10, 1917, early afternoon; during World War I) — Herbert Hoover was named formally as the first director of the U.S. Food Administration today by President Woodrow Wilson, under authority invested in him by Congress, and immediately served notice on speculators and profiteers that the time of reckoning had come for those who would not cooperate in the efforts of the government to obtain lower prices for the consumer and help the allies of America in the war against Germany.

Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957)

1950s, African-American Civil Rights, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'PBS LBJ Part 1' (Civil Rights Act of 1957 at 43:28)

(Wednesday, August 7, 1957, evening EDT) — The U.S. Senate tonight passed 72-18 the first federal civil rights legislation to become law in 82 years. Continue reading Senate passes first major civil rights legislation since Reconstruction 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 7 1957) →

Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr stands trial for treason 210 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 1807)

1800s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'United States v. Aaron Burr 1977 Judicial Conference of the United States' (trial at 45:45)

(Monday, August 3, 1807) — Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr went on trial today before a federal court in Richmond, Virginia, charged with treason (for assembling an armed force to take New Orleans and separate the Western from the Atlantic states) and high misdemeanor (for sending a military expedition against territories belonging to Spain). Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr stands trial for treason 210 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 3 1807) →

President Coolidge declares: ‘I do not choose to run for President in nineteen twenty-eight’ 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1927)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Calvin Coolidge -- I Do Not Choose to Run'

(Tuesday, August 2, 1927, 11:30 a.m. MDT) — U.S. President Calvin Coolidge today dramatically and unexpectedly, and without consultation with friends, issued the following statement to the correspondents at his “Summer White House” in the Black Hills in South Dakota: “I do not choose to run for President in nineteen twenty-eight.” Continue reading President Coolidge declares: ‘I do not choose to run for President in nineteen twenty-eight’ 90 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1927) →

President Johnson forms panel to assess causes of riots 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967)

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


Video: 'Address to the Nation Regarding Civil Disorder, 7/27/67. MP593.'

(Thursday, July 27, 1967, 10:30 p.m. EDT) — President Lyndon B. Johnson announced tonight that he had appointed the Kerner Commission to investigate the epidemic of racial disorders and to recommend remedial measures to him, Congress, governors and mayors. Continue reading President Johnson forms panel to assess causes of riots 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 27 1967) →

President Truman signs National Security Act of 1947 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 26 1947)

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents

(Saturday, July 26, 1947, 12:15 p.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — President Harry S. Truman today (aboard his VC-54C presidential aircraft Sacred Cow, the first aircraft used for the role of Air Force One) signed the National Security Act of 1947, which merged the Department of War (renamed as the Department of the Army) and the Department of the Navy into the National Military Establishment (NME), headed by the Secretary of Defense. Continue reading President Truman signs National Security Act of 1947 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 26 1947) →