(Tuesday, March 4, 1817, midday local time) — Secretary of State James Monroe of Virginia was inaugurated today as the fifth President of the United States in front of the Old Brick Capitol (where the Supreme Court building now stands) with Chief Justice John Marshall administering the oath of office. Continue reading Monroe inaugurated as fifth U.S. President, Tompkins as sixth VP 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1817)
(Saturday, March 3, 1877, 7:05 p.m. local time) — Because outgoing President Ulysses S. Grant feared an insurrection by supporters of Samuel J. Tilden following the Compromise of 1877 and with the traditional inauguration day of March 4 on a Sunday, President-elect Rutherford B. Hayes took the oath of office as the 19th President of the United States tonight in a secret ceremony in the Red Room of the White House.
Grant was still technically President through Sunday, March 4, at noon, and remained in the White House until Hayes was formally inaugurated on Monday, March 5.
Video: 'Why Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizen'
(Friday, March 2, 1917) — Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship today as President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act. Continue reading Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1917)
(Friday, March 2, 1877, 4:10 a.m. local time) — Just three days before his public inauguration, Republican presidential candidate Rutherford B. Hayes was declared the winner of the 1876 presidential election today, defeating the Democrat Samuel J. Tilden in one of the most disputed elections in American history. Continue reading Hayes declared winner in disputed 1876 presidential election this hour 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1877)
Video: 'Nebraska 150 Sesquicentennial'
(Friday, March 1, 1867) — Nebraska, which lies in both the Great Plains and the Midwestern United States, became the 37th state today as President Andrew Johnson reluctantly signed a proclamation. Continue reading Nebraska becomes 37th state 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1867)
(Friday, February 27, 1987, afternoon EST) — President Ronald Reagan moved dramatically today to revive his troubled presidency by replacing Donald T. Regan with former Senator Howard H. Baker Jr. as the White House chief of staff (click here to watch Baker’s news conference).
Reagan announced the change a day after a special presidential review commission harshly criticized his detached style of management and blamed Regan for “chaos” in the White House after disclosures of the secret Iran policy.
Video: ‘2/26/87: Tower Commission Report’
(Thursday, February 26, 1987, 11:00 a.m. EST) — The Tower Commission, which investigated the Iran-Contra affair, portrayed U.S. President Ronald Reagan today as a confused and remote figure who failed to understand or control the secret arms deal with Iran, and who thus had to “take responsibility” for a policy that in the end caused ”chaos” at home and embarrassment abroad. Continue reading Tower report: President Reagan, chief advisers responsible for ‘chaos’ in Iran arms deal 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 26 1987)
Video: 'The 25th amendment- leighton arnold'
(Friday, February 10, 1967, 10:44 a.m. PST) — The Twenty-fifth Amendment (Amendment XXV) to the U.S. Constitution, dealing with presidential disability and succession, was ratified today as Nevada adopted it. Continue reading 25th Amendment to U.S. Constitution ratified 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 10 1967)
Video: 'Barack Obama's Presidential Announcement'
(Saturday, February 10, 2007, shortly after 10:00 a.m. CST) — Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, standing before the Old State Capitol where Abraham Lincoln began his political career, formally announced his candidacy for the White House on today by presenting himself as an agent of generational change who could transform a government hobbled by cynicism, petty corruption and “a smallness of our politics.” Continue reading Obama formally kicks off presidential campaign in Springfield, Illinois 10 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 10 2007)
