News
When the President Met the King
Today marks the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. One of the most popular musical icons of the 20th century, Elvis transformed popular music and had an unprecedented effect on popular culture. His meeting with RN in 1970 produced some of the most iconic...
Unintended Consequences; the Real Problem with Leaks
A Presidential Kill List, the use of cyber-attacks to stall foreign nuclear development, and attacking enemies by using the most advanced military tactics and instruments in the world may sound like the description of a blockbuster action film. It isn’t. In reality,...
8.13.1969 – Honoring the Astronauts
On August 13, 1969, President and Mrs. Nixon hosted a huge state dinner at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles to honor the Apollo 11 astronauts on their safe return to Earth. Over 50 members of Congress and representatives from 83 foreign nations attended the...
Paul McCracken, 1915-2012
On August 3, Paul W. McCracken died at the age of 96 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, his home since he began working as a professor of economics at the University of Michigan from the end of the 1940s until his retirement in 1986. His impressive career there was accompanied...
The Biological Weapons Convention: Yet Another Nixon Legacy
Yet another often-forgotten Nixon Legacy -- and an important moral one, at that -- is the elimination of the use of biological weapons that began as a result of his directive in November 1969. Unilaterally, the U.S. discontinued its biological weapons program,...
Why the New Federalism isn’t Old News
August 8, 1969 was the beginning of a new cycle in American politics; one that marked the reversal of a trend that had been centralizing power in Washington for over 30 years. In an address to television and radio audiences, President Nixon introduced the nation to a...
Conquering New Frontiers
In the July of 1969, President Nixon, along with the entire nation, watched as a promise made eight years earlier by President Kennedy—to put a man on the Moon—was finally fulfilled. This event captured the attention and imagination of the world as the United States...
8.8.1968 – The Beginning
RN formally accepted the GOP nomination for the Presidency on August 8, 1968 -- his fourth time (of five total) appearing on a national ballot. Held in the Miami Beach Convention Center, RN delivered what became one of his most memorable addresses. With so many...
8.7.1969 – Welcoming Old Friends
RN welcomed West German Chancellor Kurt George Kiesinger to Washington 43 years ago, today. A full welcoming ceremony was held to welcome the Chancellor, as well as a state dinner that evening. Check out RN's remarks here. One of the best (albeit shortest) passages,...
8.6.1971 – Expanding the Environmental Movement
Widely regarded as among America's most far-sighted Presidents in terms of environmental research, RN's special message to Congress -- enclosed with the annual report of his Council on Environmental Quality -- of August 6, 1971 reflects just that: The work of...