American Presidents Story Briefs

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.

Abe Lincoln lived at Knob Creek Farm, in Hodgenville, Kentucky, until he was nearly eight years old.

In 1863, President Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November would be Thanksgiving Day. He issued a turkey reprieve - which we would call a pardo...

When Abraham Lincoln did not like the way a photographer had smoothed his hair, the future President ran his fingers through it - just before the pict...

Being U.S. President, during America's Civil War, required Mr. Lincoln to make difficult strategic decisions.

An event which came to be known as The Boston Massacre occurred on the 5th of March, 1770. It all started over a dispute involving a wig.

America is still a young country when the newly formed federal government passes an excise tax on the production of whiskey. Rebellion quickly follow...

Andrew Jackson was America's 7th President. This portrait of him, by Thomas Sully, was created in 1824.

Police officers arrest Lee Harvey Oswald at the Texas Theater on November 22, 1963.

Not knowing whether there was a conspiracy behind the death of President Kennedy, officials initially delayed the formal announcement of his death.

Less than a month before he was sworn-in as America's president, Franklin Roosevelt was involved in a career-defining situation. Giuseppe ("Joe") Zang...

This illustration of Colonel Baker, planning the capture of John Wilkes Booth, is based on a photo by Alexander Gardner.

The Bag of Pigs invasion - known as "A Perfect Failure" - may seem foolhardy today, but it must be viewed in its historical context.

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