Category Archives: U.S. Presidents

Adams defeats Jefferson in presidential election 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1796)


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1796'

(Wednesday, December 7, 1796, during the United States presidential election, 1796) — Federalist Vice President John Adams of Massachusetts was elected President of the United States today over Democratic-Republican former Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Continue reading Adams defeats Jefferson in presidential election 220 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 7 1796)

Monroe defeats King in presidential election landslide 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1816)


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1816'

(Wednesday, December 4, 1816, during the United States presidential election, 1816) — Democratic-Republican Secretary of State James Monroe of Virginia was elected President of the United States today over Federalist Senator Rufus King of New York. Continue reading Monroe defeats King in presidential election landslide 200 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 4 1816)

Iran arms payment found illegally diverted to Nicaraguan Contras 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1986)


Video: 'President Reagan's Press Briefing in the Press Room, November 25, 1986'

(Tuesday, November 25, 1986, 12:05 p.m. EST; during the Iran–Contra affair) — U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese announced today that profits from covert weapons sales to Iran were illegally diverted to the anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua. Continue reading Iran arms payment found illegally diverted to Nicaraguan Contras 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 25 1986)

Former U.S. President Chester A. Arthur dies in New York City 130 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1886)


Video: '#21 Chester A Arthur'

(Thursday, November 18, 1886, 5:10 a.m. local time)Chester A. Arthur, the 21st President of the United States (1881-1885), having succeeded James A. Garfield upon the latter’s assassination, died today at his home at 123 Lexington Avenue in New York City of a stroke. Arthur was 57. Continue reading Former U.S. President Chester A. Arthur dies in New York City 130 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1886)

President Reagan admits arms deal, but denies weapons were ransom 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1986)


Video: 'President Reagan's Address to the Nation on the Iran-Contra Controversy, November 13, 1986'

(Thursday, November 13, 1986, 8:01 p.m. EST; during the Iran–Contra affair) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan, under intense domestic and international criticism, tonight defended what he called his “secret diplomatic initiative to Iran” and vigorously denied that the United States had sought to exchange weapons for American hostages in Lebanon. Continue reading President Reagan admits arms deal, but denies weapons were ransom 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1986)

San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge opens 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 12 1936)


Video: 'San Francisco--Oakland Bay Bridge Opened 1937 Chevrolet Newsreel'

(Thursday, November 12, 1936, 12:30 p.m. PST) — The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, a complex of bridges spanning 4.46 miles over the San Francisco Bay in California carrying about 240,000 vehicles a day on its two decks, opened today as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key in Washington, D.C., giving the green light to traffic.

Reagan elected governor of California, defeats incumbent Brown 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 8 1966)


Video: 'Election Shocks (1966)'

(Tuesday, November 8, 1966, during the California gubernatorial election, 1966) — Republican challenger Ronald Reagan defeated Democratic incumbent Governor Pat Brown 57.55%-42.27% today to be elected governor of California. Continue reading Reagan elected governor of California, defeats incumbent Brown 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 8 1966)

Wilson narrowly re-elected, defeats Hughes in presidential election 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1916)


Video: 'WILSON NOSES OUT HUGHES IN ELECTION 1916'

(Tuesday, November 7, 1916, during the 1916 presidential campaign) — Democratic incumbent President Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey was re-elected today over Republican former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes of New York, marking the first time a Democrat had won two consecutive presidential elections since Andrew Jackson in 1832. Continue reading Wilson narrowly re-elected, defeats Hughes in presidential election 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1916)

Tilden narrowly wins presidential popular vote but falls one vote short in Electoral College 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1876)


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1876'

(Tuesday, November 7, 1876, during the 1876 presidential campaign) — Democratic Governor Samuel J. Tilden of New York won the popular vote today over Republican Governor Rutherford B. Hayes of Ohio but failed to win a majority of the Electoral College by one vote in one of the most contentious, controversial and disputed presidential elections in American history. Continue reading Tilden narrowly wins presidential popular vote but falls one vote short in Electoral College 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1876)