(Friday, March 22, 1968, 5:38-6:06 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson announced today at a news conference his intention to appoint Gen. William C. Westmoreland as Army Chief of Staff, replacing him as commander of American forces in Vietnam sometime before July 2, 1968. Continue reading LBJ recalls Westmoreland to become Army chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 22 1968)
Video: 'KEVU April Part 2 1968 Oregon Primary RDTV' (Mar. 21, 1968, at 3:36)
(Thursday, March 21, 1968, announcement scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST; during the Republican Party presidential primaries, 1968) –Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, the leader of the GOP’s liberal wing, dropped a political bombshell today at the New York Hilton Hotel by announcing that he will not be a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, leaving former Vice President Richard Nixon as the only active contender. Continue reading Rockefeller says he won’t run for president 50 years ago this afternoon (Mar 21 1968)
Video: 'Daylight Saving Time Explained'
(Sunday, March 19, 1918) — President Woodrow Wilson today signed the first law establishing daylight saving time in the United States, with clocks to be moved forward one hour from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. Continue reading Wilson signs first law establishing daylight saving time 100 years ago today (Mar 19 1918)
Video: 'American Experience LBJ 2' (Mar. 18, 1968, at 1:18:32)
(Monday, March 18, 1968, 10:42 a.m. CST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968 and the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, speaking to delegates at the National Farmers Union Convention at the Leamington Hotel in Minneapolis, said today that the time had come for “austerity” and a “total national effort” to win the war and peace in Vietnam and solve domestic problems. Continue reading LBJ asks for ‘austerity’ to win Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1968)
Video: 'President Lyndon B. Johnson on Vietnam, March 1968 (2 clips)'
(Saturday, March 16, 1968, 10:05 a.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — As U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy was officially announcing on Capitol Hill that he would challenge President Lyndon Johnson for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination over the Vietnam War, Johnson told the National Alliance of Businessmen today at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington: “Make no mistake about it—I don’t want a man in here to go back home thinking otherwise—we are going to win.” Continue reading LBJ: ‘We are going to win’ Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1968)
Video: '1968 Presidential Election: RFK Announces He's Running'
(Saturday, March 16, 1968, 10:00 a.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968; African-American civil rights movement (1954–1968); during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Four days after President Lyndon Johnson barely edged out anti-war candidate U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy of New York today entered the race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. Continue reading RFK to challenge LBJ for Democratic presidential nomination 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1968)
Video: 'Our World Winter 1968 Part 4' (1968 New Hampshire primary at 0:29)
(Tuesday, March 12, 1968, polls closed at 8:00 .m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968, Republican Party presidential primaries, 1968 and during the Vietnam War) — President Lyndon Johnson barely edged out anti-war candidate U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota today in the New Hampshire Democratic primary, the opening event in nominations for the 1968 U.S. presidential election. Continue reading McCarthy’s showing in New Hampshire jolts Democrats 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 12 1968)
Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Tet [6/11]' (The New York Times report at 39:30)
(Sunday, March 10, 1968; during the Tet Offensive, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and Cold War) — General William Westmoreland, commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam, has asked for 206,000 more American troops for Vietnam, and the request has touched off a divisive internal debate within high levels of the Johnson Administration, The New York Times reported in today‘s paper, in a story dated Mar. 9, 1968.
President Lyndon Johnson had been briefed on the request on Feb. 28, 1968, and ordered Secretary of Defense-designate Clark Clifford to form a task force to conduct a complete review of U.S. policy in Vietnam, including the new request to increase troops.
Video: 'Remarks at the Unveiling of the Knute Rockne Commemorative Stamp, University of Notre Dame — 3/9/88'
(Wednesday, March 9, 1988, 1:00 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Ronald Reagan made an emotional journey to South Bend, Indiana, today to the University of Notre Dame, Indiana, scene of one of his most memorable films, Knute Rockne, All American. Continue reading Reagan invokes Rockne to boost optimism 30 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1988)
Video: 'American Experience The Kennedys 1' (Kennedys depart at 27:41)
(Wednesday, March 9, 1938) — The wife and five of the nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy, United States Ambassador to England, sailed today from New York Harbor aboard the 24,189-ton luxury liner SS Washington to join him in London. Continue reading Rose Kennedy sails to England with 5 of 9 children 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1938)
