Audio Clip (1:01)

In order to suppress growing Soviet influence in the Middle East following the Suez Crisis of 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appears before a joint session of Congress on January 5, 1957, to present a policy that will become known as the Eisenhower Doctrine. It holds that the United States would be authorized to provide military assistance "to secure and protect the territorial integrity" of any nations threatened by international communism.

Audio Clip (1:43)

On June 5, 1944, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower orders the massive Allied Expeditionary Force into action.

Audio Clip (1:18)

In an address at Rice University on September 12, 1962, President John F. Kennedy rallies support for the race to space by telling his fellow Americans that the reason we endeavor to go to the moon is "not because it is easy, but because it is hard."

Audio Clip (0:34)

Following the assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as president of the United States aboard Air Force One before the plane leaves Dallas for Washington, D.C.

Audio Clip (11:12)

On September 23, 1952, as a candidate for vice president, Richard M. Nixon appears on national television to defend himself against reports that he had taken $18,000 from his supporters for his personal use. In his defense, he denies personal use of any funds, with one exception: the family dog, Checkers, which was given to Nixon as a gift.

Audio Clip (1:53)

On the heels of a major nationwide protest against the Vietnam War in October 1969, President Richard Nixon delivers a speech on November 3, laying out his plans for ending the war through diplomatic negotiations and asking for the support of the "great silent majority" of Americans.

Audio Clip (0:53)

In a live broadcast on September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford grans his disgraced predecessor, Richard Nixon, a "full free and absolute pardon." In an effort to end speculation over whether he had cut a "deal" with Nixon, Ford emphatically stated he'd given the pardon to heal the nation.

Audio Clip (4:53)

On November 3, 1975, President Ford holds a news conference and announces a number of personnel changes among his top national security posts. The press dubbed his action the "Sunday Morning Massacre."

Audio Clip (0:58)

When Ronald Reagan, as spokesperson for General Electric, gives his “Time for Choosing” speech in support of Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential run, he establishes himself as an important player in the Republican Party and jumpstarts his political career.

Audio Clip (0:43)

On January 28, 1986, instead of delivering his scheduled State of the Union Address, President Ronald Reagan speaks to the American people about the space shuttle disaster that killed seven astronauts.

Audio Clip (1:11)

Upon his nomination for president of the United States, George H. W. Bush delivers an acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on August 18, 1988. Bush folds into his speech many slogans that he will use throughout his campaign, including his reference to the "1,000 points of light" that symbolize America's diversity.

Audio Clip (0:54)

George H. W. Bush's infamous promise delivered during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention on August 18, 1988, became the campaign pledge that may have helped win him the election.

Audio Clip (0:57)

In a public statement to the American people on January 26, 1998, President Bill Clinton denies allegations of having had an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinski.

Audio Clip (1:49)

On a March 25, 1998, visit to Rwanda, President Bill Clinton delivers what later became known as the Clinton apology, in which he acknowledges America's failure to respond to the Rwandan genocide.

Audio Clip (2:01)

Almost a year after sending U.S. troops to fight in Iraq, President George W. Bush announces the capture of the country's dictator, Saddam Hussein, in an address to the nation on December 14, 2003.

Audio Clip (2:51)

On July 27, 2004, Barack Obama, then a little-known Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Illinois, delivers the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. His speech, in which he describes his personal story of the American Dream, catapults him into the national spotlight.

Audio Clip (2:54)

In a speech presented at the University of Michigan on May 22, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson outlines his vision of a "Great Society," which includes the ideas that will later become programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Head Start.

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.

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.