Photo Galleries (23)
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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.
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Civil War to Great Depression Presidents
Civil War to Great Depression Presidents(15 Photos)
15 Photos
View an image slideshow on Presidents from Reconstruction to the Great Depression.
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Presidents: World War II to Today's Presidents
Presidents: World War II to Today's Presidents(13 Photos)
13 Photos
View an image slideshow on Presidents from World War II to Today.
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George Washington
George Washington(17 Photos)
17 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of George Washington.
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John Adams
John Adams(7 Photos)
7 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of John Adams.
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James Madison
James Madison(10 Photos)
10 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of James Madison.
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James Monroe
James Monroe(8 Photos)
8 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of James Monroe.
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Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson(14 Photos)
14 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson.
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Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln(19 Photos)
19 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln.
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Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant(19 Photos)
19 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Ulysses S. Grant.
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Teddy Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt(20 Photos)
20 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Teddy Roosevelt.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt(20 Photos)
20 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
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Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman(19 Photos)
19 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Harry S. Truman.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower(19 Photos)
19 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower.
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John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy(20 Photos)
20 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of John F. Kennedy.
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Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson(19 Photos)
19 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson.
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Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon(18 Photos)
18 Photos
See pictures from the life and presidency of Richard Nixon.
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Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter(16 Photos)
16 Photos
View an image slideshow on President Jimmy Carter.
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Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan(19 Photos)
19 Photos
View an image slideshow on President Ronald Reagan.
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George Bush
George Bush(20 Photos)
20 Photos
View an image slideshow on President George Bush.
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Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton(20 Photos)
20 Photos
View an image slideshow on President Bill Clinton.
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George W. Bush
George W. Bush(18 Photos)
18 Photos
View an image slideshow on President George W. Bush.
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Barack Obama
Barack Obama(18 Photos)
18 Photos
The 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama was elected in 2008 and is the first African American to hold the office.
Videos (40)
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Ask HISTORY: What's the Electoral College?
Ask HISTORY: What's the Electoral College?Video Clip (2:09)
Video Clip (2:09)
How does the Electoral College really work? Ask HISTORY gets the answers.
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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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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 Election of 1896
Presidential Election of 1896Video Clip (3:31)
Video Clip (3:31)
During the election of 1896, candidate William Jennings challenged America's industrial titans for control of the White House.
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The Electoral College
The Electoral CollegeVideo Clip (4:00)
Video Clip (4:00)
Host David Eisenbach explains what the history and purpose of the Electoral College is and why it is so important to America's democratic process.
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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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Transfer of Power
Transfer of PowerVideo Clip (3:53)
Video Clip (3:53)
Host David Eisenbach reveals the process where one president transfers their duties of office to the next president.
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The Inauguration
The InaugurationVideo Clip (4:15)
Video Clip (4:15)
Host David Eisenbach gives the historic significance of the process by which a newly elected candidate assumes the role of President of the United States of America.
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James Madison: Did You Know?
James Madison: Did You Know?Video Clip (1:36)
Video Clip (1:36)
At just 5'4", James Madison was hardly a commanding presence, but that didn't stop him from shaping American history.
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FDR: A Voice of Hope
FDR: A Voice of HopeVideo Clip (4:06)
Video Clip (4:06)
Elected in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a reassuring presence for many Americans through the trials of the Great Depression.
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JFK: A New Generation
JFK: A New GenerationVideo Clip (3:57)
Video Clip (3:57)
John F. Kennedy's progressive agenda during the 1960s inspired a new generation of optimism in America.
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The Great Communicator
The Great CommunicatorVideo Clip (4:18)
Video Clip (4:18)
Ronald Reagan galvanized the American public through his famous speeches that helped redefine American politics in the 1980s.
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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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Primaries, Caucuses, and Conventions
Primaries, Caucuses, and ConventionsVideo Clip (4:15)
Video Clip (4:15)
Host David Eisenbach explains the history of the long election process a candidate must go through to become President of the United States.
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Abraham Lincoln
Abraham LincolnVideo Clip (3:48)
Video Clip (3:48)
Today he is known as one of the greatest American presidents, but at the time of his election no one would have predicted Lincoln's success.
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The Press Plane
The Press PlaneVideo Clip (0:52)
Video Clip (0:52)
Pat Buchanan, speech writer during Richard Nixon's 1968 campaign, tells the story of one of Nixons early executive decisions.
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Inaugural Address: Barack H. Obama
Inaugural Address: Barack H. ObamaVideo Clip (3:22)
Video Clip (3:22)
An excerpt from Barack H. Obama's inaugural address on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
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Eating On The Campaign Trail
Eating On The Campaign TrailVideo Clip (2:10)
Video Clip (2:10)
Staff members tell the inside story of the eating habits of presidential hopefuls while campaigning
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McGovern, Beatty, and Emerson
McGovern, Beatty, and EmersonVideo Clip (1:33)
Video Clip (1:33)
Bob Shrum, staff member of George McGovern's 1972 Campaign, tells the story of Warren Beattys speech writing duties on the McGovern campaign.
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Voting Tech
Voting TechVideo Clip (3:40)
Video Clip (3:40)
Host David Eisenbach tells the story of the technological advancements in the way people have voted throughout history of American democracy.
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Minorities in Politics
Minorities in PoliticsVideo Clip (2:42)
Video Clip (2:42)
In this video of Path to the Podium, minorities in politics are discussed. The first of their races in political positions, and their importance to our society. From Martin Luther King Jr. to Barack Obama, this clip includes a wide variety.
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Celebrities in Politics
Celebrities in PoliticsVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
In a Path to the Podium video, see how celebrities get involved in politics. While some celebrities stump for causes or candidates, the celebrities in this video take it to the next level by holding political office.
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This Day In History: 01/07/1789 - 1st US Presidential Election
This Day In History: 01/07/1789 - 1st US Presidential ElectionVideo Clip (1:03)
Video Clip (1:03)
This Day in History, January 7th. The first presidential election of George Washington, Galileo's interest and discoveries in astronomy and the Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution are all on our This Day in History video recap of January 7th.
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Election 2008: Barack Obama
Election 2008: Barack ObamaVideo Clip (2:21)
Video Clip (2:21)
A look at Barack Obama's presidential campaign and historic win in the 2008 general election
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Campaign Spot: McGovern Defense (1972)
Campaign Spot: McGovern Defense (1972)Video Clip (1:01)
Video Clip (1:01)
In this ad, McGoverns defense cuts are criticized, questioning the candidates priorities for national security.
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Mondale and the Cuban Cigars
Mondale and the Cuban CigarsVideo Clip (1:42)
Video Clip (1:42)
Joe Trippi, aide to Walter Mondale's 1984 Campaign, tells the story of the outrageous adventure two campaign staffers made to gift Mondale a box of Cuban Cigars.
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Don't Ask Don't Tell
Don't Ask Don't TellVideo Clip (1:01)
Video Clip (1:01)
Ted Sorensen, JFK's 1960 Campaign speechwriter, tells the story of a congratulatory misunderstanding on the campaign trail.
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Campaign Spot: Kennedy, Kennedy (1960)
Campaign Spot: Kennedy, Kennedy (1960)Video Clip (1:01)
Video Clip (1:01)
This 1960 campaign spot makes use of JFK's relative youth and a repetitious jingle.
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John F. Kennedy and the TVA
John F. Kennedy and the TVAVideo Clip (1:24)
Video Clip (1:24)
President Kennedy is forced to improvise a stump speech in Tennessee, after discovering that his speech didn't make the trip.
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John McCain: Back From the Dead
John McCain: Back From the DeadVideo Clip (3:51)
Video Clip (3:51)
A closer look at John McCain and his run for the US Presidency in 2008.
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This Day In History: 09/26/1960 - First Kennedy-Nixon Debate
This Day In History: 09/26/1960 - First Kennedy-Nixon DebateVideo Clip (1:00)
Video Clip (1:00)
For the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party presidential candidates is shown on television. The presidential hopefuls, John F. Kennedy, a Democratic senator of Massachusetts, and Richard M. Nixon, the vice president of the United States, met in a Chicago studio to discuss U.S. domestic matters. Kennedy emerged the apparent winner from this first of four televised debates, partly owing to his greater ease before the camera than Nixon, who, unlike Kennedy, seemed nervous and declined to wear makeup. Nixon fared better in the second and third debates, and on October 21 the candidates met to discuss foreign affairs in their fourth and final debate. Less than three weeks later, on November 8, Kennedy won 49.7 percent of the popular vote in one of the closest presidential elections in U.S. history, surpassing by a fraction the 49.6 percent received by his Republican opponent.
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Religion and The Presidency
Religion and The PresidencyVideo Clip (3:12)
Video Clip (3:12)
The effect of a presidential candidates religion on his campaign is explored on Path to the Podium. John F Kennedy, Mitt Romney, Jimmy Carter, Mike Huckabee, Joseph Lieberman, Al Smith, and Al Gore are explored in this video clip.
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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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Women in Politics
Women in PoliticsVideo Clip (3:11)
Video Clip (3:11)
From Sandra Day O'Connor to Shirley Chisholm to Madeleine Albright, these groundbreaking American women paved the way.
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Ask Steve: Robert Kennedy
Ask Steve: Robert KennedyVideo Clip (2:05)
Video Clip (2:05)
In this Ask Steve video clip, Robert Kennedy and the chance that he would have been elected president of the United States if he hadn't been assassinated was discussed. It would have been difficult seeing as the primary's were much different then.
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Campaign Tech
Campaign TechVideo Clip (2:18)
Video Clip (2:18)
Tom Oliphant, of the Boston Globe and political campaign staffers talk about the lack of technology in past presidential campaigns and the advances made since then.
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Campaign Spot: Jimmy Carter's Bio (1976)
Campaign Spot: Jimmy Carter's Bio (1976)Video Clip (4:24)
Video Clip (4:24)
Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter was a Washington outsider, a position he stressed during his campaign.
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Lincoln's Inaugural Bible
Lincoln's Inaugural BibleVideo Clip (2:09)
Video Clip (2:09)
Chief Justice Roger B. Taney administered the oath of office to Abraham Lincoln using a Bible purchased for the occasion. The ceremony was witnessed by Clark of the Supreme Court, William Thomas Carrol, who recorded the occasion in the Bible, which has special significance for President Obama.
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Campaign Spot: Ice Cream (1964)
Campaign Spot: Ice Cream (1964)Video Clip (1:00)
Video Clip (1:00)
Another in the series of LBJs spots against Barry Goldwater. Ice Cream first aired on Saturday, September 12, 1964, days after the broadcast of the controversial Peace Little Girl/Daisy ad.
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Bush and the Moonies
Bush and the MooniesVideo Clip (1:09)
Video Clip (1:09)
Mary Matalin, Deputy Campaign Manager to George Bush's 1992 Campaign tells the story of the unexpected welcome Bush received from some locals along the campaign trail.
Speeches & Audio (4)
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Al Gore Concedes Presidential Election
Al Gore Concedes Presidential ElectionAudio Clip (1:50)
Audio Clip (1:50)
On December 13, 2000, after a 36-day legal battle over one of the most contested presidential elections in American history, Vice President Al Gore concedes the U.S. presidential election to George W. Bush.
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Mario Cuomo Delivers Keynote Address to Democratic National Convention
Mario Cuomo Delivers Keynote Address to Democratic National ConventionAudio Clip (10:21)
Audio Clip (10:21)
In one of his most celebrated speeches, delivered July 16, 1984, New York Governor Mario Cuomo rises to national attention by highlighting President Reagan's failures.
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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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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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