February 10, 1967: Twenty-fifth Amendment is RatifiedOn this day in 1967, the Twenty-fifth Amendment was ratified and added to the U.S. Constitution thirteen days later on February 23. The amendment clarified the role of the Vice President during unique situations. The main points are:

 1. If a President dies or resigns, the Vice President becomes President
. 2. If the Vice President seat becomes open, the President needs to   nominate a Vice President and Congress needs to vote
. 3. With a written declaration, the President may appoint the Vice President as an “Acting President.”
 4. The Vice President and Congress can call an emergency order that states that the President is incapable to carry on his duties. The President may veto the provision, but needs to prove that he is capable. Think you know the U.S. Constitution? Refresh your memory with our collection of U.S. amendments! Image: Page 1 of the Twenty-fifth Amendment (National Archives)
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February 10, 1967: Twenty-fifth Amendment is Ratified

On this day in 1967, the Twenty-fifth Amendment was ratified and added to the U.S. Constitution thirteen days later on February 23. The amendment clarified the role of the Vice President during unique situations.

The main points are:



1. If a President dies or resigns, the Vice President becomes President
.

2. If the Vice President seat becomes open, the President needs to   nominate a Vice President and Congress needs to vote
.

3. With a written declaration, the President may appoint the Vice President as an “Acting President.”


4. The Vice President and Congress can call an emergency order that states that the President is incapable to carry on his duties. The President may veto the provision, but needs to prove that he is capable.

Think you know the U.S. Constitution? Refresh your memory with our collection of U.S. amendments!

Image: Page 1 of the Twenty-fifth Amendment (National Archives)

Jan. 23, 1932: New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt Announces his Candidacy for PresidentOn this day in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Democratic governor of New York, announced his intention to run for president. Not many people know that between the November 1932 election and his inauguration the following March, FDR survived an assassination attempt. On Feb 15, 1933, Giuseppe Zangara shot and mortally wounded Chicago mayor Anton Cermak, missing his intended target, the president-elect.  After he was shot, Mayor Cermak’s alleged words to FDR were, “I’m glad it was me instead of you.”FDR transformed the presidency and placed the institution at the very center of American life. During 12 years in office, Roosevelt shepherded his nation through the two greatest American crises of the 20th century and left a legacy of political freedom and domestic security to the American people.For more on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s legacy, visit American Experience’s FDR site. Photos: ‪Franklin D. Roosevelt TIME Man of the Year 1933 color photo‬, Giuseppe Zangara and Chicago mayor Anton Cermak.
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Jan. 23, 1932: New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt Announces his Candidacy for PresidentOn this day in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Democratic governor of New York, announced his intention to run for president. Not many people know that between the November 1932 election and his inauguration the following March, FDR survived an assassination attempt. On Feb 15, 1933, Giuseppe Zangara shot and mortally wounded Chicago mayor Anton Cermak, missing his intended target, the president-elect.  After he was shot, Mayor Cermak’s alleged words to FDR were, “I’m glad it was me instead of you.”FDR transformed the presidency and placed the institution at the very center of American life. During 12 years in office, Roosevelt shepherded his nation through the two greatest American crises of the 20th century and left a legacy of political freedom and domestic security to the American people.For more on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s legacy, visit American Experience’s FDR site. Photos: ‪Franklin D. Roosevelt TIME Man of the Year 1933 color photo‬, Giuseppe Zangara and Chicago mayor Anton Cermak.
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Jan. 23, 1932: New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt Announces his Candidacy for President

On this day in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Democratic governor of New York, announced his intention to run for president.

Not many people know that between the November 1932 election and his inauguration the following March, FDR survived an assassination attempt. On Feb 15, 1933, Giuseppe Zangara shot and mortally wounded Chicago mayor Anton Cermak, missing his intended target, the president-elect. 

After he was shot, Mayor Cermak’s alleged words to FDR were, “I’m glad it was me instead of you.”

FDR transformed the presidency and placed the institution at the very center of American life. During 12 years in office, Roosevelt shepherded his nation through the two greatest American crises of the 20th century and left a legacy of political freedom and domestic security to the American people.

For more on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s legacy, visit American Experience’s FDR site.

Photos: ‪Franklin D. Roosevelt TIME Man of the Year 1933 color photo‬, Giuseppe Zangara and Chicago mayor Anton Cermak.

Source: to.pbs.org

Jan. 22, 1997: Madeleine Albright is Confirmed as the First Female Secretary of State On this day in 1997, Madeleine Albright was confirmed as Secretary of State by the US Senate. Albright was sworn in the following day. Serving under President Bill Clinton, she worked on issues revolving human rights, business, environmental standards, and focused on areas such as Kosovo, the Middle East and North Korea.   Read Frontline’s interview with Madeleine Albright to learn more about her time as Secretary of State. Photo: Madeleine Korbel Albright - U.S. Secretary of State, January 23, 1997 – January 20, 2001 (U.S. Department of State)
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Jan. 22, 1997: Madeleine Albright is Confirmed as the First Female Secretary of State
 
On this day in 1997, Madeleine Albright was confirmed as Secretary of State by the US Senate. Albright was sworn in the following day.

Serving under President Bill Clinton, she worked on issues revolving human rights, business, environmental standards, and focused on areas such as Kosovo, the Middle East and North Korea. 
 
Read Frontline’s interview with Madeleine Albright to learn more about her time as Secretary of State.

Photo: Madeleine Korbel Albright - U.S. Secretary of State, January 23, 1997 – January 20, 2001 (U.S. Department of State)

Source: to.pbs.org

Jan. 19, 1981: A Resolution for the Iran Hostage Crisis On this day in 1981, the United States and Iranian governments signed the Algiers Accords, ending the Iran hostage crisis. The following day, 53 American hostages were released in Tehran, Iran. In November 1979, Iranian students entered the American Embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. The Iranian students disapproved of the United States’ support of the authoritarian Shah and used the hostage crisis as a form of protest against the allies’ relationship.  The Algiers Accords stated:1.       “The United States pledges that it is and from now on will be the policy of the United States not to intervene, directly or indirectly, politically or militarily, in Iran’s internal affairs.”2.       “The United States will act to bring about the transfer to the Central Bank of all Iranian financial assets (meaning funds or securities) which are located in the United States and abroad.”3.       “The United States will freeze, and prohibit any transfer of, property and assets in the United States within the control of the estate of the former Shah or of any close relative of the former Shah.” Find out how American media responded to the Iran hostage crisis. Photo: Reporters take notes while watching President Jimmy Carter on television making an announcement about an aborted attempt to rescue U.S. hostages in Iran, 1980 (Library of Congress).
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Jan. 19, 1981: A Resolution for the Iran Hostage Crisis
 
On this day in 1981, the United States and Iranian governments signed the Algiers Accords, ending the Iran hostage crisis. The following day, 53 American hostages were released in Tehran, Iran. In November 1979, Iranian students entered the American Embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

The Iranian students disapproved of the United States’ support of the authoritarian Shah and used the hostage crisis as a form of protest against the allies’ relationship. 


The Algiers Accords stated:
1.       “The United States pledges that it is and from now on will be the policy of the United States not to intervene, directly or indirectly, politically or militarily, in Iran’s internal affairs.”
2.       “The United States will act to bring about the transfer to the Central Bank of all Iranian financial assets (meaning funds or securities) which are located in the United States and abroad.”
3.       “The United States will freeze, and prohibit any transfer of, property and assets in the United States within the control of the estate of the former Shah or of any close relative of the former Shah.”


Find out how American media responded to the Iran hostage crisis.


Photo: Reporters take notes while watching President Jimmy Carter on television making an announcement about an aborted attempt to rescue U.S. hostages in Iran, 1980 (Library of Congress).

Source: to.pbs.org

January 16, 1919: U.S. Ratifies the 18th Amendment On this day in 1919, anti-alcohol activists proclaimed success when the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified. Taking effect the following year, it banned the consumption and sale of alcohol.The Eighteenth Amendment stated: “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or exploration thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.” Prohibition didn’t last very long. In 1933, Congress repealed the Eighteenth Amendment through the passing of the Twenty-first Amendment.Check out more photos from Ken Burns’s Prohibition photo gallery!
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January 16, 1919: U.S. Ratifies the 18th Amendment On this day in 1919, anti-alcohol activists proclaimed success when the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified. Taking effect the following year, it banned the consumption and sale of alcohol.The Eighteenth Amendment stated: “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or exploration thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.” Prohibition didn’t last very long. In 1933, Congress repealed the Eighteenth Amendment through the passing of the Twenty-first Amendment.Check out more photos from Ken Burns’s Prohibition photo gallery!
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January 16, 1919: U.S. Ratifies the 18th Amendment On this day in 1919, anti-alcohol activists proclaimed success when the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified. Taking effect the following year, it banned the consumption and sale of alcohol.The Eighteenth Amendment stated: “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or exploration thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.” Prohibition didn’t last very long. In 1933, Congress repealed the Eighteenth Amendment through the passing of the Twenty-first Amendment.Check out more photos from Ken Burns’s Prohibition photo gallery!
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January 16, 1919: U.S. Ratifies the 18th Amendment On this day in 1919, anti-alcohol activists proclaimed success when the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified. Taking effect the following year, it banned the consumption and sale of alcohol.The Eighteenth Amendment stated: “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or exploration thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.” Prohibition didn’t last very long. In 1933, Congress repealed the Eighteenth Amendment through the passing of the Twenty-first Amendment.Check out more photos from Ken Burns’s Prohibition photo gallery!
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January 16, 1919: U.S. Ratifies the 18th Amendment
 
On this day in 1919, anti-alcohol activists proclaimed success when the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified. Taking effect the following year, it banned the consumption and sale of alcohol.

The Eighteenth Amendment stated: “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or exploration thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.”
 
Prohibition didn’t last very long. In 1933, Congress repealed the Eighteenth Amendment through the passing of the Twenty-first Amendment.

Check out more photos from Ken Burns’s Prohibition photo gallery!

Source: to.pbs.org

January 2, 1960: John F. Kennedy Announces He’ll Run for President On this day in 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy announced his intention to run for President of the United States. He campaigned on the pledge to “get the country moving again.” His opponent, Republican Richard Nixon, believed that the country was better off continuing the policies established under Dwight Eisenhower’s eight years of leadership. Explore Kennedy’s early life and career, from his college days at Harvard to his time serving in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Image: Statement in which John F. Kennedy announces that he will run for President of the United States.(National Archives)
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January 2, 1960: John F. Kennedy Announces He’ll Run for President

On this day in 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy announced his intention to run for President of the United States. He campaigned on the pledge to “get the country moving again.” His opponent, Republican Richard Nixon, believed that the country was better off continuing the policies established under Dwight Eisenhower’s eight years of leadership.

Explore Kennedy’s early life and career, from his college days at Harvard to his time serving in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Image: Statement in which John F. Kennedy announces that he will run for President of the United States.(National Archives)

Source: to.pbs.org

November 5, 1940: FDR Re-Elected President for Third TermOn this day in 1940, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was re-elected for an unprecedented third third as president of the United States. Roosevelt was re-elected with the promise of maintaining American neutrality in foreign wars.The ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951 makes this presidential election the only occasion in American history in which a candidate was elected to a third term. Roosevelt was also re-elected to a fourth term in 1944 before dying less than three months after the term began.From American Experience, read FDR’s “Third Inaugural Address 1941,” which cites Washington’s “sacred fire of liberty” and urges Americans to protect democracy. Photo: Library of Congress
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November 5, 1940: FDR Re-Elected President for Third Term

On this day in 1940, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was re-elected for an unprecedented third third as president of the United States. Roosevelt was re-elected with the promise of maintaining American neutrality in foreign wars.

The ratification of the 22nd Amendment in 1951 makes this presidential election the only occasion in American history in which a candidate was elected to a third term. Roosevelt was also re-elected to a fourth term in 1944 before dying less than three months after the term began.

From American Experience, read FDR’s “Third Inaugural Address 1941,” which cites Washington’s “sacred fire of liberty” and urges Americans to protect democracy.

Photo: Library of Congress

Source: bitly.com

November 4, 1952: National Security Agency Is Established On this day in 1952, the National Security Agency was formally established. The NSA was founded as a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense. This agency is responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications as well as protecting US government communications and information systems. To catch of glimpse of the top-secret activities of the National Security Agency, check out FRONTLINE’s “Inside the NSA” interview with author James Bamford.
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November 4, 1952: National Security Agency Is Established

On this day in 1952, the National Security Agency was formally established. The NSA was founded as a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense.

This agency is responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications as well as protecting US government communications and information systems.

To catch of glimpse of the top-secret activities of the National Security Agency, check out FRONTLINE’s “Inside the NSA” interview with author James Bamford.

Source: to.pbs.org

November 2, 1948: Truman Defeats Dewey On this day in 1948, Democratic incumbent Harry S. Truman defeated his Republican challenger, Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York. Truman won with just over two million popular votes, and the election is considered the greatest upset in presidential election history. Political analysts and polls in the days preceding the vote practically guaranteed a victory for Dewey. On election night, before all of the votes had been counted, the Chicago Tribune published an early edition with the inaccurate headline “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.” American Experience’s “Presidential Politics” details the unprecedented campaign and election between Truman and Dewey. Photo: National Archives
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November 2, 1948: Truman Defeats Dewey

On this day in 1948, Democratic incumbent Harry S. Truman defeated his Republican challenger, Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York. Truman won with just over two million popular votes, and the election is considered the greatest upset in presidential election history. Political analysts and polls in the days preceding the vote practically guaranteed a victory for Dewey. On election night, before all of the votes had been counted, the Chicago Tribune published an early edition with the inaccurate headline “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN.”

American Experience’s “Presidential Politics” details the unprecedented campaign and election between Truman and Dewey.

Photo: National Archives

Source: to.pbs.org

October 18, 1867: United States Takes Possession of Alaska On this day in 1867, the United States formally took possession of Alaska, a vast northern territory measuring 591,000 square miles, from Russia. William H. Seward, the Secretary of State under President Andrew Johnson, saw the massive Alaska territory as a chance to cheaply expand the size of the nation. The U.S. secured the purchase of Alaska at the rate of less than two cents per acre. In the following decades, Alaska proved to be a remarkable source of natural resources from gold to oil. Explore American Experience’s “Alaska from Russian Colony to U.S. State” timeline, which highlights the major events in the acquisition of the land that became America’s 49th state. Photo: Library of Congress
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October 18, 1867: United States Takes Possession of Alaska

On this day in 1867, the United States formally took possession of Alaska, a vast northern territory measuring 591,000 square miles, from Russia. William H. Seward, the Secretary of State under President Andrew Johnson, saw the massive Alaska territory as a chance to cheaply expand the size of the nation.

The U.S. secured the purchase of Alaska at the rate of less than two cents per acre. In the following decades, Alaska proved to be a remarkable source of natural resources from gold to oil.

Explore American Experience’s “Alaska from Russian Colony to U.S. State” timeline, which highlights the major events in the acquisition of the land that became America’s 49th state.

Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

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