Shirley Chisholm Campaigns for Nomination (3:24)
While seeking the candidacy for president of the United States in 1972, Shirley Chisholm campaigns hard, speaking to crowds across the country about her beliefs in equality for women and minorities. In 1968, Chisholm became the first African-American congresswoman.
Speeches & Audio (10)
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Shirley Chisholm Campaigns for Nomination
Shirley Chisholm Campaigns for NominationAudio Clip (3:24)
Audio Clip (3:24)
While seeking the candidacy for president of the United States in 1972, Shirley Chisholm campaigns hard, speaking to crowds across the country about her beliefs in equality for women and minorities. In 1968, Chisholm became the first African-American congresswoman.
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Reagan’s 1984 Presidential Nomination
Reagan’s 1984 Presidential NominationAudio Clip (0:57)
Audio Clip (0:57)
On August 23, 1984, President Ronald Reagan accepts his party's nomination for a second term. In his speech at the Republican National Convention, President Reagan promises a "springtime of hope" for America.
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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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Shirley Chisholm Runs for Presidential Nomination
Shirley Chisholm Runs for Presidential NominationAudio Clip (1:30)
Audio Clip (1:30)
During her 1972 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American congresswoman, promises to tell the truth about sex and race.
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Colin Powell Declines Presidential Bid
Colin Powell Declines Presidential BidAudio Clip (2:26)
Audio Clip (2:26)
On November 8, 1995, Colin Powell put an end to speculation when he announced that he would not run for president in the next election.
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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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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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Reagan Accepts Presidential Nomination
Reagan Accepts Presidential NominationAudio Clip (1:33)
Audio Clip (1:33)
After unsuccessfully seeking the presidential nomination in 1968 and 1976, Ronald Reagan was nominated at the Republican National Convention on September 7, 1980. In his acceptance speech, the former California governor tells American taxpayers that they do not exist to fund the federal government.
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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.
Videos (14)
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Campaign Spot: Best Qualified (1960)
Campaign Spot: Best Qualified (1960)Video Clip (1:01)
Video Clip (1:01)
After some misinterpreted comments by President Eisenhower about Nixon that JFK used in a campaign ad against his opponent (Nixons Experience), Eisenhower fully endorses Nixon. But it was too little, too late. JFK won the election, by a slim margin.
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Campaign Spot: Nixon's Experience (1960)
Campaign Spot: Nixon's Experience (1960)Video Clip (1:00)
Video Clip (1:00)
At the end of a long press conference, then President Dwight Eisenhower was asked about his Vice President, Richard Nixon. He hesitated and replied that he couldnt remember Nixons contributions
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Inaugural Address: Harry Truman
Inaugural Address: Harry TrumanVideo Clip (2:49)
Video Clip (2:49)
Excerpts from Harry Truman's inaugural address on Thursday, January 30, 1940.
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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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Inaugural Address: John F. Kennedy
Inaugural Address: John F. KennedyVideo Clip (2:53)
Video Clip (2:53)
Excerpts from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address on Friday, January 20, 1961.
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Obama Makes History
Obama Makes HistoryVideo Clip (3:42)
Video Clip (3:42)
President Barack Obama was elected the first African-American president of the United States on November 5, 2008, transcending centuries of inequality in America.
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Ask Steve: George Wallace
Ask Steve: George WallaceVideo Clip (1:33)
Video Clip (1:33)
Who is George Wallace and why is he important? Steve Gillon shows the importance and significance of George Wallace in American history. Through his racist views, George Wallace redefined the American Political System.
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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: 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.
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