Douglas MacArthur Receives the Japanese Surrender (1:21)
On September 2, 1945, aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, World War II comes to a close when Japanese officials sign the unconditional surrender. Gen. Douglas MacArthur presides over the signing and delivers a short speech on the momentous occasion.
Speeches & Audio (10)
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Douglas MacArthur Receives the Japanese Surrender
Douglas MacArthur Receives the Japanese SurrenderAudio Clip (1:21)
Audio Clip (1:21)
On September 2, 1945, aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, World War II comes to a close when Japanese officials sign the unconditional surrender. Gen. Douglas MacArthur presides over the signing and delivers a short speech on the momentous occasion.
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Reagan Addresses British Parliament
Reagan Addresses British ParliamentAudio Clip (0:17)
Audio Clip (0:17)
On June 8, 1982, in the first speech by an American president to a meeting of both houses of the British Parliament, President Ronald Reagan presents his hope for a future that would "leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history."
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Clinton Remarks on the Dayton Peace Accords
Clinton Remarks on the Dayton Peace AccordsAudio Clip (2:02)
Audio Clip (2:02)
On November 27, 1995, President Bill Clinton announces the end of years of ethnic warfare in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. The leaders of the three warring factions met in Dayton, Ohio, and signed an agreement known as the Dayton Peace Accords, which created two new sovereign states: Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt Makes Statement of Neutrality
Franklin D. Roosevelt Makes Statement of NeutralityAudio Clip (3:04)
Audio Clip (3:04)
Following Great Britain's declaration of war with Germany on September 3, 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers a nationwide broadcast later that day to affirm America's neutrality.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt's War Progress Report
Franklin D. Roosevelt's War Progress ReportAudio Clip (0:57)
Audio Clip (0:57)
In his progress report on World War II on July 28, 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt informs the nation that "the first crack in the Axis has come" as Italian Premier Mussolini falls from power.
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Truman Announces Germany's Surrender
Truman Announces Germany's SurrenderAudio Clip (2:04)
Audio Clip (2:04)
In a May 8, 1945, radio broadcast, President Harry Truman announces the unconditional surrender of Germany, but reminds Americans that the war wages on in the Far East.
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Truman Announces Japan's Surrender
Truman Announces Japan's SurrenderAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
On September 1, 1945, in a radio address to the American people, President Harry Truman announces the unconditional surrender of Japan, formalized aboard the U.S.S. Missouri.
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Bush and Gorbachev Sign the START I Treaty
Bush and Gorbachev Sign the START I TreatyAudio Clip (2:25)
Audio Clip (2:25)
On July 31, 1991, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed in Moscow by U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, committing each superpower to reducing nuclear arms by a third. In a press conference held at the Kremlin, President Bush discusses the economic cooperation implicit in the peace negotiations.
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Bush and Gorbachev Declare End of Cold War
Bush and Gorbachev Declare End of Cold WarAudio Clip (1:45)
Audio Clip (1:45)
President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared an end to the Cold War at the Malta Summit on December 3, 1989. At a joint press conference aboard the Soviet passenger liner Maxim Gorky in Marsaxlokk Harbor, President Bush speaks about his hopes for a cooperative U.S.-Soviet relationship.
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Japan's Unconditional Surrender
Japan's Unconditional SurrenderAudio Clip (4:13)
Audio Clip (4:13)
An NBC news report summarizes the events of August 15, 1945, when Emperor Hirohito of Japan announced that his country will accept unconditional surrender and called for a ceasefire that formally ended World War II.
Videos (8)
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Dolley Madison Saves Washington's Portrait
Dolley Madison Saves Washington's PortraitVideo Clip (2:40)
Video Clip (2:40)
Hear the tale of how first lady Dolley Madison risked her life to save George Washington's portrait from a fiery fate as British troops approached the White House.
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James Madison and the War of 1812
James Madison and the War of 1812Video Clip (2:20)
Video Clip (2:20)
James Madison is considered to be the "Father of the Constitution," but it was the War of 1812 that ultimately defined his presidency.
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James Madison Wages the War of 1812
James Madison Wages the War of 1812Video Clip (3:10)
Video Clip (3:10)
In 1812, James Madison became the first U.S. president to ask Congress to declare war. Find out why he wanted to wage war against Britain and how his constituents felt about it.
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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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Deconstructing History: American Flag
Deconstructing History: American FlagVideo Clip (2:07)
Video Clip (2:07)
Why does the American flag have 13 stripes? Get all the facts and figures on "Old Glory."
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Accounts Receivable Book Seized During the War of 1812
Accounts Receivable Book Seized During the War of 1812Video Clip (3:15)
Video Clip (3:15)
During the War of 1812, the British army, under Admiral Cockburn, captured Washington, D.C. Just before setting fire to the Capitol Building, Admiral Cockburn chose the only item labeled as "President of the U. States," from the President's ceremonial office as a memento.
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Americans and British Face Off in War of 1812
Americans and British Face Off in War of 1812Video Clip (3:10)
Video Clip (3:10)
Shortly after gaining its independence, the United States goes to war with England over its seizure of U.S. ships and sailors.
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Andrew Jackson Defends New Orleans in War of 1812
Andrew Jackson Defends New Orleans in War of 1812Video Clip (3:41)
Video Clip (3:41)
Photo Galleries (2)
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James Madison
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10 Photos
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See pictures from the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson.
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