Interesting, Dramatic and History-Changing Moments
Amid worsening economic conditions resulting from the Great Depression, newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt confronts fear in the Nation. March
4, 1933. (:38)
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, President Roosevelt appears before Congress seeking a declaration of war. December 8, 1941. (1:24)
During a radio speech from the White House, President Harry Truman comments on the dropping of the first Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. August 9, 1945. (2:21)
President Truman comments on the Communist invasion of
South Korea. 1950. (:07)
President Truman announces the dismissal of General
Douglas MacArthur. 1951. (:15)
Following a New York ticker-tape parade in his
honor, General Dwight D. Eisenhower pokes fun at his own humble beginnings. (:09)
Campaigning for the presidency in 1952, Eisenhower makes a key promise. (:39)
During his Farewell Speech, President Eisenhower warns Americans of the growing military-industrial complex. January 17, 1961. (1:48)
While campaigning for the presidency, Senator John F. Kennedy speaks to a group of Protestant ministers in Houston, Texas, to quell the continuing controversy over his suitability for the presidency because of his religion. September 12, 1960. (2:18)
One of the best remembered presidential lines, from the Inaugural Speech of President John F. Kennedy. January 20, 1961. (1:08)
During a visit to Rice University in Houston, Texas, President Kennedy reaffirms America's commitment to landing a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s. September 12, 1962. (:29)
Remarks by President Kennedy on how we all came from the sea made during the America's Cup (sailing race) dinner. September 14, 1962. (:47)
Following the discovery of Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba - a recording of President Kennedy discussing military options
with his brother Robert and top aides during a meeting in the White House.
October 18, 1962. (2:14)
President Kennedy informs Americans about the Cuban
Missile Crisis and warns the Russians. October 22, 1962. (:53)
Speaking at the Berlin Wall, President Kennedy tells the people of West Berlin, "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner). June 26,
1963. (:24)
Following the assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as the thirty-sixth president by a U.S. District Court Judge, while on board Air Force One. November 22, 1963. (:32)
Upon exiting Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland some three hours later, President Johnson makes a brief statement at the airport. November 22, 1963. (:40)
President Johnson announces he will not seek re-election as a result
of the worsening military situation in Vietnam. March 31, 1968. (:56)
After losing the California governor's election, a bitter Richard Nixon chats with reporters
in Los Angeles. November 7, 1962. (1:26)
A secret recording of President Nixon in the White House telling top aide H.R. Haldeman
to obstruct the FBI investigation into the Watergate break-in. June 23,
1972. (:05) "...call
the FBI and say that we wish, for the country, don't go any further into
this case, period..."
President Nixon pledges White House cooperation with the ongoing Watergate
investigation. April 17, 1973. (:22)
President Nixon comments on U.S. military withdrawal from Vietnam.
1973. (:26)
After returning from the hospital to the White House, President
Nixon greets his staff and denies resignation rumors. July 20, 1973. (:25)
President Nixon insults reporters during a White House press conference
on Watergate. October 23, 1973. (:20)
President Nixon meets with news editors and denies any wrongdoing in Watergate.
November 17, 1973. (:32)
Faced with the prospect of being impeached by the House of Representatives as a result of the Watergate
scandal, President Nixon announces his resignation. August 8, 1974. (:32)
Following his resignation, Richard Nixon bids farewell to his White House staff. August 9, 1974. (1:19)
President Gerald R. Ford speaks to the Nation upon taking office shortly after
Richard Nixon had resigned in disgrace. August 9, 1974. (:54)
President Ford grants Richard Nixon a full pardon. September 8, 1974. (:53)
Amid continuing news reports about the successful invasion of South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese Army - during a speech at Tulane University, President Ford tells the student audience there will be no further U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. September 8, 1974. (:52)
President Jimmy Carter cites America's "crisis of confidence" amid a worsening energy (oil) situation in the post-Watergate, post-Vietnam era. July 15, 1979. (:28)
During inaugural festivities, President Ronald Reagan announces an end to
the hostage crisis in Iran in which 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days. January 20, 1981. (:27)
During a speech to the British Parliament in London, President Reagan predicts the eventual downfall of Communism, saying it will be left on the "ash heap of history." June 8, 1982. (:41)
President Reagan jokes about bombing Soviet Russia during a voice
test over a live microphone while preparing for a radio address. August 11,
1984. (:09)
Speaking at the Berlin Wall, President Reagan tells the leader of Soviet Russia "tear down this wall." June 12, 1987. (2:03)
President George Bush announces war against Iraq (Operation Desert Storm) has begun with air attacks against Saddam Hussein's forces. January 16, 1991. (:31)
President Bill Clinton denies allegations
concerning former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. January 26, 1998. (:25)
During his testimony
to Independent Counsel Ken Starr's Grand Jury, President Clinton is asked about a statement made by
his lawyer on his behalf during a January deposition that there "is no sex of any kind" between the President
and Monica Lewinsky. August 17, 1998. (1:03)
President Clinton admits "I misled people"
during a speech to the Nation a few hours after completing his testimony
to Independent Counsel Ken Starr's Grand Jury. August 17, 1998. (:44)
President Clinton talks about forgiveness during
ceremonies in a Massachusetts church commemorating the 1963 Civil Rights
March on Washington. August 28, 1998. (1:33)
Following a vote by the House Judiciary Committee to recommend impeachment,
President Clinton, during a visit to Israel, responds to an Israeli reporter
asking him if he intends to resign "as did President Nixon."
December 13, 1998. (:25)
President Clinton announces an air attack against Iraq - a military action that came in the midst of House impeachment proceedings thereby generating much controversy over its timing. December 16, 1998. (:38)
President Clinton responds to questions from reporters as to whether he ordered the attack against Iraq in order to delay the scheduled impeachment vote
in the full House of Representatives. December 17, 1998. (:20)
Flanked by Democratic supporters and his wife Hillary, President Clinton
appears before reporters on the South Lawn of White House about two hours
after his impeachment by the House of Representatives. December 19, 1998. (:40)
Upon visiting New York City three days after the September 11th terrorist attack, President George W. Bush speaks through a hand-held megaphone to rescue workers at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center buildings. September 14, 2001. (1:57)
Six days after visiting New York, President Bush appears before a Joint Session of Congress to outline America's reaction to the attack. September 20, 2001. (:50)
President Bush announces the beginning of the invasion of Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). March 19, 2003. (2:04)
After landing as a passenger in a Navy fighter jet aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier off the coast of San Diego, California, President Bush announces that major combat operations in Iraq have ended, within sight of a large banner saying "Mission Accomplished." May 1, 2003. (2:20)
Amid unceasing attacks against American soldiers and others by insurgents in Iraq, President Bush announces an increase of American troops as part of a new strategy that becomes known as "The Surge." January 10, 2007. (2:21)
While campaigning for the presidency in Philadelphia, Senator Barack Obama addresses the issue of race - amid a media firestorm concerning prior remarks made by his former minister. March 18, 2008. (1:13)
During his first Inaugural Speech, President Barack Obama acknowledges the tough challenges facing America. January 21, 2009. (1:22)
President Barack Obama stuns the world by appearing on national TV on a quiet Sunday evening to announce the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. May 1, 2011. (2:30)
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