U.S. Presidents: Facts and Elections

Assassination of JFK

The course of events surrounding JFK’s assassination shocked the nation and left more questions than answers.

Running for President During WWII

As World War II neared its end, the United States conducted its 1944 presidential election, deciding the leader who would shape the post-war world. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in pursuit of his fourth term, competed against Thomas E. Dewey, the Governor of New York. The anticipation leading up to the election was not unlike what Americans […]

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Real Life Frankenstein Scares a Man to Death

Early 19th century physicist, Giovanni Aldini, practiced a dark brand of science: electrocuting corpses in an attempt to raise the dead. His most infamous experiment succeeded in shocking his audience instead, scaring one spectator to death.

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Doris Kearns Goodwin on Resilience

Learning from difficult moments lies at the core of great leaders. Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin explores how resilience and the ability to persevere became essential leadership traits for Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt.

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Doris Kearns Goodwin on Relaxation

From Franklin Roosevelt to Abraham Lincoln, America’s most iconic presidents knew that getting away from the White House could help them become better leaders. Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin explores the key to this presidential leadership trait.

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1:03 minTV-PG

History Shorts: A Lame Duck Crisis

When the lame duck period was much longer than it is today, two U.S. presidents let their personal animosity drag the country further into crisis.

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1:00 minTV-PG

A President’s First Pitch Helped Heal the Nation

Just after 9/11, President George W. Bush sent a message of perseverance to all Americans, with a perfect pitch.

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1:01 minTV-PG

The Unlikely Rise of Ulysses Grant

Ulysses Grant took an unconventional path to the White House, rising from a leather goods salesman to a heroic general in a matter of months.

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1:00 minTV-PG

Andrew Johnson’s Efforts to Undermine Lincoln’s Legacy

After Abraham Lincoln’s death, President Andrew Johnson did everything he could to undermine the legacy of his predecessor.

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1:00 minTV-PG

Calvin Coolidge Keeps His Cool After Harding’s Death

After President Warren Harding’s death, Calvin Coolidge was left to deal with the fallout of his predecessor’s corrupt legacy.

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1:01 minTV-PG

Why Does the Iowa Caucus Come First?

The Iowa Caucus is the earliest indication of how America’s voters will choose their primary candidates, but why does Iowa get to go first?

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1:02 minTV-PG

How Thomas Jefferson Canceled the State of the Union

The State of the Union is an undisputed presidential tradition, but that wasn’t always the case. One founding father made sure of that.

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