American Presidents Documents

U.S. Presidents have varying backgrounds and political persuasions. Only one was unanimously elected. They can have little or lasting influence. These stories are about individuals with the power to make a difference at home and abroad.

When Harry Truman decided to relieve General Douglas MacArthur of his command duties in Korea - thereby effectively forcing MacArthur's retirement - t...

Image of the declassified Top-Secret Order, dated November 20, 1962, to suspend the quarrantine surrounding the island of Cuba. Click on the image fo...

Click on image for an expanded view. Exhibiting Washington’s first inaugural speech online, the Library of Congress notes: Keenly aware of t...

This facsimile image depicts the police blotter for April 14, 1865.  See the last entry where the reporting officer has noted that the President ...

Image of President Johnson's daily diary, for the 4th of August 1964, page 3. Click on the image for a better view.

This image depicts the second page of LBJ's daily diary for March 31, 1968 - the day he announced to the American people that he would not seek, and w...

Image of President Johnson's daily diary, for the 4th of August 1964, page 11. Click on the image for a better view.

This image depicts a from LBJ's daily diary for March 31, 1968 - the day he announced to the American people that he would not seek, and would not acc...

This facsimile document contains the second page of President Johnson's July 28, 1964 press-conference address.  He entitled his remarks:  "...

Image of an Associated Press article regarding U.S. President Kennedy returning to Washington D.C. early, presumably because he is ill. Click on the ...

Image of President Kennedy's letter to Premiere Khrushchev, dated October 22, 1962.  Page 1 of 2. Click on the image for a better view.

Image of President Kennedy's letter to Premiere Khrushchev, dated October 22, 1962.  Page 2 of 2. Click on the image for a better view.

Show tooltips