Bush on the Economy: a Sluggish Economy
In the early 1990s, George H.W. Bush was faced with growing economic insecurity. But Bush believed there was little he could do.
Bush on Unity: Ideological Housecleaning
George H.W. Bush fired the majority of Reagan's appointees in an attempt to distance himself from his predecessor. "It was an ideological housecleaning," says presidential historian John Robert Greene. "And Reagan appointees are shown the door in a harsh transition that makes it look like a Democrat is coming in."
Truman and Unity: A Compromise Candidate
The 1944 Democratic Convention focused on who would be nominated for the Vice Presidency. With the Democrats divided, Truman emerged as the compromise candidate.
LBJ on the Economy: War on Poverty
President Johnson took on the economy by waging a "war on poverty." "His vision was of helping the disadvantaged to help themselves," Robert Dallek says.
Reagan on Unity: Restoring Trust
"At a time when America faced an economic crisis and an escalating cold war, many wondered if anyone could manage the country. Least of all, a former Hollywood "B" actor."
Carter and the Economy: Curbing Inflation
In the summer of 1979, inflation rose to 14 percent. In response, Carter cut the budgets of social programs, leading to criticism from African American leaders and members of the "traditional FDR coalition."
Nixon on Ending a War: Carpet Bombing
Nixon decided to use force to end the Vietnam War, and refused to explain the 12-day "Christmas Bombing" to the American people. "He thought it was diplomatically vital that he make this look as cold an operation as possible," says speechwriter Ray Price.
Reagan on Ending Wars: Ending the Cold War
Reagan "had this overriding conviction that a strong military face presented by the United States for a year or two would bring the hostile system to its knees," said official biographer Edmund Morris. But President Reagan needed to make concessions in order to reduce the nuclear threat.
LBJ on Policing the World: Combatting Communism
In 1964, American bombers striking deep into North Vietnam demonstrated that Johnson was a committed anti-Communist.
Nixon and Crisis: Nixon's Gamble
In the spring of 1972, Nixon took a risk and responded to North Vietnamese aggression by bombing Hanoi, jeopardizing an upcoming arms control summit in Moscow.
Tandem Parachute Jump: with the U.S. Army Golden Knights
George H.W. Bush, who exited his first airplane via parachute in World War II, completes a ceremonial jump in his 83rd year.
Going Negative? Bush Insiders and the 1988 Campaign
Barbara Bush, Colin Powell, James A. Baker III, Mary Matalin and others discuss Bush's ads and strategy against Michael Dukakis in the 1988 presidential election.
Carter and Crisis: Rescuing Hostages
Mounting pressure to rescue hostages in Iran led Jimmy Carter to order a rescue operation. "We can no longer depend on diplomacy," said Carter in April. But when the "Desert One" operation failed, Carter took full responsibility.
Bush on Military Service: Bush vs. Reagan
A comparison of George Bush and Ronald Reagan. "In many ways, George Bush was what Reagan pretended to be," says the film's narrator, David Ogden Stiers. It seemed that Bush embodied all the characters Reagan had portrayed in film.
Truman on the Enemy: Sizing up Stalin
Truman's first impression of Joseph Stalin was favorable. "Truman had that very American idea," says historian David McCullough, "that if he could just meet the fellow, shake his hand, look him in the eye, size him up, then they could work together, work things out, and everything would be okay."
FDR and Lying: Lend-Lease
Roosevelt's Lend-lease plan -- which promised the return of American weapons after England used them -- "was patent nonsense," according to historian Robert Dallek. "What were the British going to do, give us the tanks back that were blown up, the planes that were shot down?"
Carter on the Enemy: Revolutionary Iran
Americans were held hostage at the US Embassy in Iran after Carter welcomed the Shah into the United States for medical treatment in 1979. "It was a defining event," says Pollster Pat Caddell. "This is the entire United States government captured, and held illegally under international law and being taunted everyday."
FDR on Lying: Hiding a Disability
The majority of the country did not know President Roosevelt was handicapped. "When he met Orson Welles, he said 'Orson, you and I are the two best actors in America,'" says biographer Hugh Gallagher. "And he was right."
Truman on Military Service: Mr. U.S.A.
Truman stepped on the world stage with two of the century's greatest figures: Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin.
Travel the Panama Canal
Ride through the Panama canal with this time-lapse video of the locks in action.
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