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March 16, 1751: President James Madison is Born

On this day in 1751, the fourth president of the United States, James Madison, was born in Virginia. Madison was part of the Democratic-Republican party and served as president from 1809-1817.

James Madison will always be remembered as the “Father of the Constitution,” contributor for framing the Bill of Rights, author of the Federalist papers, participant of the Constitutional Convention, and as president of the United States. 

Learn more with American Experience’s biography of James Madison.

Image: James Madison, 1828, half-length portrait, seated, facing right, with documents in hand (Library of Congress).

March 12, 1947: President Truman Delivers the Truman DoctrineOn this day in 1947, President Truman presented Congress his vision of America’s role in a world threatened by communism. In an effort to prevent Greece and Turkey from falling under communism, Truman urged the U.S. to send those countries economic and military aid.Head on over to American Experience’s Truman site to explore a Harry Truman photo gallery, world timeline, and the Truman Doctrine. Photo: President Harry Truman, April 1945 (Library of Congress)
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March 12, 1947: President Truman Delivers the Truman Doctrine

On this day in 1947, President Truman presented Congress his vision of America’s role in a world threatened by communism. In an effort to prevent Greece and Turkey from falling under communism, Truman urged the U.S. to send those countries economic and military aid.

Head on over to American Experience’s Truman site to explore a Harry Truman photo gallery, world timeline, and the Truman Doctrine.


Photo: President Harry Truman, April 1945 (Library of Congress)

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

Dec. 23, 1783: George Washington Resigns as Commander in Chief of Continental ArmyOn this day in 1783, George Washington submitted his resignation of his military commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army. The next day, he left Annapolis (where Congress was located at the time) and set out for his home in Virginia, Mount Vernon. Washington’s willing resignation of his military powers and his return to private life are considered striking since democratic republics are thought to be especially vulnerable to military dictatorship. Washington became as famous for his willingness to relinquish command as for his successful conduct of it in the Revolutionary War. Six years later, he would become president. Explore George Washington’s personal life, military career, and presidency with this extensive timeline.Image: “General George Washington Resigning His Commission,” 1824 painting by John Trumbull, displayed at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol (Architect of the Capitol).
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Dec. 23, 1783:

George Washington Resigns as Commander in Chief of Continental Army

On this day in 1783, George Washington submitted his resignation of his military commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army. The next day, he left Annapolis (where Congress was located at the time) and set out for his home in Virginia, Mount Vernon.

Washington’s willing resignation of his military powers and his return to private life are considered striking since democratic republics are thought to be especially vulnerable to military dictatorship. Washington became as famous for his willingness to relinquish command as for his successful conduct of it in the Revolutionary War. Six years later, he would become president.

Explore George Washington’s personal life, military career, and presidency with this extensive timeline.

Image: “General George Washington Resigning His Commission,” 1824 painting by John Trumbull, displayed at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol (Architect of the Capitol).

Source: to.pbs.org

August 27, 1908:  Birth of Lyndon B. Johnson On this day in 1908, former president Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas.  He succeeded to the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. As president, LBJ was responsible for designing the “Great Society” legislation that included laws upholding civil rights, public broadcasting, Medicare, and Medicaid.  It was his advocacy for American involvement in the Vietnam War that eventually cost him his popularity and the possibility of reelection. Watch this American Experience documentary about the legacy of the late president Lyndon B. Johnson. Photo: Library of Congress
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August 27, 1908:  Birth of Lyndon B. Johnson

On this day in 1908, former president Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Stonewall, Texas.  He succeeded to the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963.

As president, LBJ was responsible for designing the “Great Society” legislation that included laws upholding civil rights, public broadcasting, Medicare, and Medicaid.  It was his advocacy for American involvement in the Vietnam War that eventually cost him his popularity and the possibility of reelection.

Watch this American Experience documentary about the legacy of the late president Lyndon B. Johnson.


Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

August 19, 1946:  Bill Clinton’s Birthday Former president Bill Clinton turns 66 today.  The Georgetown, Oxford, and Yale alumnus served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001.  Inaugurated at 46, Clinton was the third-youngest president and the first democrat since FDR to win a second term in the presidential office. Bill Clinton first ran for office at only 28 years old and has lived much of his life in the public eye.  This American Experience photo gallery offers a more candid look at the life and times of America’s 42nd president.
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August 19, 1946:  Bill Clinton’s Birthday

Former president Bill Clinton turns 66 today.  The Georgetown, Oxford, and Yale alumnus served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001.  Inaugurated at 46, Clinton was the third-youngest president and the first democrat since FDR to win a second term in the presidential office.

Bill Clinton first ran for office at only 28 years old and has lived much of his life in the public eye.  This American Experience photo gallery offers a more candid look at the life and times of America’s 42nd president.

July 30, 1965:  President Lyndon B. Johnson Signs Medicare Program into Law On this day in 1965, the Medicare program was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during a ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.  Before Medicare’s creation, health insurance was only affordable and available for half of the senior citizen population.  The new program promised to provide health insurance to people aged 65 and older, regardless of income or medical history. Recently, health care in the United States has been a trending topic as states debate the possibility of Medicaid expansion.  PBS NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser takes a closer look at the arguments and the states that oppose. Photo: LBJ signs Medicare Act (Social Security Amendments) with Harry Truman looking on, 07/30/1965; U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
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July 30, 1965:  President Lyndon B. Johnson Signs Medicare Program into Law

On this day in 1965, the Medicare program was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during a ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri.  Before Medicare’s creation, health insurance was only affordable and available for half of the senior citizen population.  The new program promised to provide health insurance to people aged 65 and older, regardless of income or medical history.

Recently, health care in the United States has been a trending topic as states debate the possibility of Medicaid expansion.  PBS NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser takes a closer look at the arguments and the states that oppose.


Photo: LBJ signs Medicare Act (Social Security Amendments) with Harry Truman looking on, 07/30/1965; U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

Source: to.pbs.org

July 26, 1947:  Truman Signs National Security Act On this day in 1947, President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act which, first, brought together the Navy Department and War Department under a new Department of Defense; second, established the National Security Council; and lastly, set up the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The following year on the same day, Truman signed executive orders prohibiting discrimination in the U.S. armed forces and federal government. Find out other accomplishments that contributed to Truman’s legacy, or watch the full American Experience documentary on the 33rd president. Photo: Library of Congress
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July 26, 1947:  Truman Signs National Security Act

On this day in 1947, President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act which, first, brought together the Navy Department and War Department under a new Department of Defense; second, established the National Security Council; and lastly, set up the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The following year on the same day, Truman signed executive orders prohibiting discrimination in the U.S. armed forces and federal government.

Find out other accomplishments that contributed to Truman’s legacy, or watch the full American Experience documentary on the 33rd president.

Photo: Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

July 24, 1959:  Nixon and Khrushchev’s “Kitchen Debate” On this day in 1959, then-vice president Richard Nixon encountered Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev at the American National Exhibition in Moscow.  Ironically, it was in the display of a model American kitchen that Nixon and Khrushchev got into a heated argument about capitalism versus communism, in what became known as “The Kitchen Debate.” For other interesting facts about President Nixon, check out the American Experience “Did You Know?” page here. Photo:  Library of Congress
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July 24, 1959:  Nixon and Khrushchev’s “Kitchen Debate”

On this day in 1959, then-vice president Richard Nixon encountered Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev at the American National Exhibition in Moscow.  Ironically, it was in the display of a model American kitchen that Nixon and Khrushchev got into a heated argument about capitalism versus communism, in what became known as “The Kitchen Debate.”

For other interesting facts about President Nixon, check out the American Experience “Did You Know?” page here.


Photo:  Library of Congress

Source: to.pbs.org

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