Photo Galleries (2)
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Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson(11 Photos)
11 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Thomas Jefferson.
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Founding Fathers and Pre-Civil War Presidents
Founding Fathers and Pre-Civil War Presidents(15 Photos)
15 Photos
View an image slideshow on Founding Fathers and Pre-Civil War Presidents.
Videos (25)
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Deconstructing History: White House
Deconstructing History: White HouseVideo Clip (1:35)
Video Clip (1:35)
It may not have been home to the president until 1800 or even called the White House until 1901, but it remains a symbol of freedom and democracy throughout the world.
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Presidential Fun Facts
Presidential Fun FactsVideo Clip (1:21)
Video Clip (1:21)
The Oval Office has been filled with extraordinary presidents, but did you know about these not-so-famous firsts?
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First Ladies
First LadiesVideo Clip (1:50)
Video Clip (1:50)
These U.S. first ladies made their mark during their stays at the White House.
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Jefferson and the Continental Congress
Jefferson and the Continental CongressVideo Clip (3:33)
Video Clip (3:33)
Over 17 days, Thomas Jefferson writes what will become the mission statement for a revolution and a new nation: the Declaration of Independence.
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Jefferson Builds Monticello
Jefferson Builds MonticelloVideo Clip (3:07)
Video Clip (3:07)
Thomas Jefferson spends years designing and building Monticello, his retreat from the demands and derision of politics.
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Jefferson Challenges the King
Jefferson Challenges the KingVideo Clip (2:21)
Video Clip (2:21)
Thomas Jefferson is known for penning The Declaration of Independence, but some of his earlier writings establish the pattern of challenging the British monarchy.
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Jefferson Writes the Declaration of Independence
Jefferson Writes the Declaration of IndependenceVideo Clip (2:37)
Video Clip (2:37)
At 33, Thomas Jefferson wrote the original draft of America's historic Declaration of Independence, which was approved by the Continental Congress after several days of debate and revisions on July 4, 1776.
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Jefferson's Pursuit of Knowledge
Jefferson's Pursuit of KnowledgeVideo Clip (3:09)
Video Clip (3:09)
As a young man in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson pursues an education based on the ideals of the Enlightenment.
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Jefferson's Secret Codes
Jefferson's Secret CodesVideo Clip (2:44)
Video Clip (2:44)
When Thomas Jefferson was president of the United States, he invented a mechanism for generating secret codes that was so effective it was used for the next one hundred years.
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The Death of Thomas Jefferson
The Death of Thomas JeffersonVideo Clip (2:00)
Video Clip (2:00)
Thomas Jefferson takes his last breath on July 4, 1826, fifty years to the day after the signing of The Declaration of Independence.
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Andrew Jackson vs. Bank of America
Andrew Jackson vs. Bank of AmericaVideo Clip (4:24)
Video Clip (4:24)
Discover how President Andrew Jackson went head-to-head against Henry Clay in the Bank War, the central controversy of Jackson's administration.
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Thomas Jefferson Expands Presidential Power
Thomas Jefferson Expands Presidential PowerVideo Clip (3:39)
Video Clip (3:39)
In one of the defining moments of his presidency, Thomas Jefferson expanded presidential power to make the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States.
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Thomas Jefferson in Paris
Thomas Jefferson in ParisVideo Clip (1:48)
Video Clip (1:48)
Jefferson soaks up the culture, art and architecture of Paris while on assignment as a trade representative.
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Thomas Jefferson Meets John Adams
Thomas Jefferson Meets John AdamsVideo Clip (2:59)
Video Clip (2:59)
An unlikely pair whose tumultuous friendship lasted half a century, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, 50 years after signing the Declaration of Independence.
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Thomas Jefferson's Family
Thomas Jefferson's FamilyVideo Clip (4:02)
Video Clip (4:02)
Thomas Jefferson marries Martha Wales Skelton in 1772 and builds a family at Monticello.
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Thomas Jefferson's Presidential Style
Thomas Jefferson's Presidential StyleVideo Clip (3:20)
Video Clip (3:20)
As president, Thomas Jefferson presented himself as a man of the people and believed the central government should not hold too much power.
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Reagan
ReaganVideo Clip (01:28:23)
Video Clip (01:28:23)
A portrait of America's 40th president depicting the most defining moments of his 93 years.
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Ask Steve: Southern Strategy
Ask Steve: Southern StrategyVideo Clip (1:23)
Video Clip (1:23)
In this video clip from Ask Steve, the Southern Strategy is explained. It was the republican party's successful plan of getting the white southern population to shift their views from democratic to republican.
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Kennedy's Summation
Kennedy's SummationVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
This John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon 1960 presidential debate History Channel video shows Senator Kennedy speaking about the importance of the Social Security Act of 1935 and now was the time to do something for elderly medical care.
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Kennedy on His Qualifications
Kennedy on His QualificationsVideo Clip (1:17)
Video Clip (1:17)
See President John F. Kennedy respond to Richard Nixon's accusations that he is immature and ill-qualified to be President of the United States in this debate video. Kennedy explains how they both came to Congress in 1946.
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Kennedy: Teachers' Salaries
Kennedy: Teachers' SalariesVideo Clip (1:32)
Video Clip (1:32)
John F. Kennedy answers back to Nixon's accusation of supporting federal control of teacher salaries. Kennedy explains that was not the question before the Senate in February, the issue was whether to give federal aid to the state to support education.
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Kennedy on 'Extreme' Bills
Kennedy on 'Extreme' BillsVideo Clip (1:24)
Video Clip (1:24)
Senator John F. Kennedy debates that none of the bills proposed by Nixon were extreme like Nixon was suggesting. Kennedy uses Nixon's proposals of $1.25 an hour plan, federal aid to education, and medical care for the aged to prove his point.
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Kennedy: Communism within the U.S.
Kennedy: Communism within the U.S.Video Clip (0:50)
Video Clip (0:50)
Senator John F. Kennedy talks about the internal threat that communism poses to national security. Kennedy describes that these internal factions are serious and should be taken care of by supporting laws that the U.S. has already passed.
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Nixon's Summation
Nixon's SummationVideo Clip (3:19)
Video Clip (3:19)
Listen to the important issues in 1960 in this History Channel video of one of the first televised debates, which took place between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. The video shows Nixon stating his views from the Soviet Union to health insurance.
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Nixon's Opening Statement
Nixon's Opening StatementVideo Clip (2:34)
Video Clip (2:34)
In his opening statement during the first of four "Great Debates" between the two candidates in 1960, Richard Nixon agrees with John F. Kennedy's view of international affairs but disputes the notion that the country's growth has been stagnant.
Speeches & Audio (10)
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Reagan’s Second Inaugural Address
Reagan’s Second Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (0:47)
Audio Clip (0:47)
Defeating Democratic nominee Walter Mondale with an unprecedented electoral vote margin, President Ronald Reagan secured a second term as president of the United States. In his inaugural address on January 21, 1985, Reagan introduces the idea of a "new American emancipation."
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Nixon Reelected to Presidency
Nixon Reelected to PresidencyAudio Clip (1:03)
Audio Clip (1:03)
On November 7, 1972, incumbent President Richard Nixon won a second term in a landslide victory over Democrat George McGovern. In a brief statement from the Oval Office, President Nixon promises to bring "peace with honor" in Vietnam and to usher in a "new era of peace" with the Soviet Union.
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Nixon’s First Inaugural Address
Nixon’s First Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (1:13)
Audio Clip (1:13)
After losing his first presidential bid to John F. Kennedy in 1960, former Vice President Richard Nixon brought the Republican Party back into power with a win in the 1968 presidential election. On January 20, 1969, he takes the oath of office and promises to heal a divided nation.
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Roosevelt Elected to Third Term
Roosevelt Elected to Third TermAudio Clip (1:30)
Audio Clip (1:30)
From WGN Chicago on November 7, 1940, news reporter Fulton Lewis Jr. details the historic third-term election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as president of the United States.
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Lyndon Johnson's Inaugural Address
Lyndon Johnson's Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (2:02)
Audio Clip (2:02)
On January 20, 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson began his first elected term as president of the United States. In his inaugural address, Johnson calls for the nation to unite toward a common goal.
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Eisenhower's Inaugural Address
Eisenhower's Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (5:51)
Audio Clip (5:51)
When Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes the 34th president of the United States on January 20, 1953, his inaugural address lays out a nine-point plan for achieving world peace.
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Nixon's Second Inaugural Address
Nixon's Second Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (1:42)
Audio Clip (1:42)
After a landslide reelection victory, incumbent President Richard Nixon stresses America's role in the pursuit of world peace during his second inaugural address, delivered on January 20, 1973.
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Lyndon Johnson and Robert Kennedy Discuss Election Night Results
Lyndon Johnson and Robert Kennedy Discuss Election Night ResultsAudio Clip (2:56)
Audio Clip (2:56)
In a recorded telephone conversation on November 3, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson discusses that night's election results with Robert F. Kennedy, who has just won his Senate race in New York. Johnson speculates about the outcome of his presidential race and asks Kennedy to offer congratulations to his brother Edward for his Senate win in Massachusetts.
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Truman's Inaugural Address
Truman's Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
On January 20, 1949, beginning his second term, President Harry Truman denounces communism and presents a program for peace in his inaugural address.
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Obama's Inaugural Address
Obama's Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (2:16)
Audio Clip (2:16)
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the nation's first African-American president. In his inaugural address, he reminds Americans that he is taking office "in the midst of crisis" but offers hope in meeting the challenge.
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