Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

U.S. formally declares war on Germany, enters World War I 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1917)

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


Video: 'WILSON ASKS CONGRESS TO DECLARE WAR 1917'

(Friday, April 6, 1917, 1:18 p.m. local time; during World War I) — War came to the United States this afternoon — war by the government and people against the Imperial German Government — as President Woodrow Wilson signed the congressional resolution declaring that “the state of war which has thrust upon the United States, is hereby formally declared.” Continue reading U.S. formally declares war on Germany, enters World War I 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1917) →

U.S. Senate votes 82-6 for war against Germany 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1917)

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

(Wednesday, April 4, 1917, 11:11 p.m. local time; during World War I) — Two days after U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany, saying, “The world must be made safe for democracy,” the U.S. Senate tonight voted 82-6 in favor of declaring war against Germany. Continue reading U.S. Senate votes 82-6 for war against Germany 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1917) →

David Frost begins interviewing former President Nixon 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1977)

1970s, Television 1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'David Frost confronts Richard Nixon on Watergate scandal'

(Wednesday, March 23, 1977) — The Nixon Interviews, a series of interviews of former U.S. President Richard Nixon (his first since resigning in August 1974) conducted by British journalist David Frost for a total of 28 hours and 45 minutes, began today in Monarch Bay, California, for broadcast on television in four programs beginning May 5, 1977. Continue reading David Frost begins interviewing former President Nixon 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1977) →

President Truman establishes federal employee loyalty program 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1947)

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'The Loyalty Program'

(Friday, March 21, 1947, during the Cold War) — Against his own better judgment, U.S. President Harry S. Truman today signed Executive Order 9835, sometimes known as the “Loyalty Order,” making the political beliefs of every federal employee subject to investigation by the FBI in order to root out communist influence in the U.S. federal government (click here for a clip about this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:50:28). Continue reading President Truman establishes federal employee loyalty program 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1947) →

U.S. President Grover Cleveland born in Caldwell, New Jersey 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1837)

1830s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '#22 Grover Cleveland'

(Saturday, March 18, 1837) — Grover Cleveland, the 22nd (1885-1889) and 24th President of the United States (1889-1893), was born Stephen Grover Cleveland today in Caldwell, New Jersey. Continue reading U.S. President Grover Cleveland born in Caldwell, New Jersey 180 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1837) →

Ronald Reagan takes a screen test in Hollywood 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1937)

1930s, movies 1930s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '26-Year-Old Ronald Reagan in Hollywood 1937'

(Monday, March 15, 1937) — While attending spring training on Catalina Island, California, with the Chicago Cubs, Ronald Reagan, 26, took a screen test today in Hollywood that led to a seven-year contract with Warner Bros.
Continue reading Ronald Reagan takes a screen test in Hollywood 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1937) →

U.S. President Andrew Jackson born on Carolinas border 250 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1767)

1760s, U.S. Presidents


Video: '#07 Andrew Jackson'

(Sunday, March 15, 1767) — Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States (1829-1837), was born today in the Waxhaw settlement along the North Carolina-South Carolina border. Continue reading U.S. President Andrew Jackson born on Carolinas border 250 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1767) →

Bodies of President Kennedy, children moved to permanent grave 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 14 1967)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'JFK Exhumation 1967'

(Tuesday, March 14, 1967, 6:19 p.m.-9:02 p.m. EST) — The bodies of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, and his two dead children were quietly moved about 40 feet to their permanent grave in Arlington National Cemetery tonight. Continue reading Bodies of President Kennedy, children moved to permanent grave 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 14 1967) →

SNL spoofs President Carter’s call-in program 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1977)

1970s, Television 1970s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Call President Carter'

(Saturday, March 12, 1977, 11:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m. EST) — President Jimmy Carter (Dan Aykroyd) takes unscreened calls from the public and demonstrates a knowledge of everything from programming automatic letter sorting machines to reassuring panicky teens on acid on tonight’s episode of the NBC late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show Saturday Night Live. Continue reading SNL spoofs President Carter’s call-in program 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1977) →

Truman Doctrine proclaimed to help stem the spread of Communism 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1947)

1940s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


'Video: 'Truman Doctrine'

(Wednesday, March 12, 1947, 1:00 p.m. EST; during the Cold War) — In a historic message to Congress, President Harry S. Truman announced todaywhat became known as the Truman Doctrine to help Greece and Turkey resist Communism. (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 2:43:43). Continue reading Truman Doctrine proclaimed to help stem the spread of Communism 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1947) →