Historical Events tagged with "us politics"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Nixon Fires Key Officials During Watergate

October 20th, 1973 51 years ago

In a critical moment during the Watergate scandal, U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered the dismissal of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus after they refused to terminate special prosecutor Archibald Cox. The unprecedented actions unfolded when Solicitor General Robert Bork ultimately executed the firing. This event, known as the 'Saturday Night Massacre,' raised significant questions about presidential power and the rule of law.

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Politics & Government

Thurgood Marshall Nominated to U.S. Supreme Court

June 13th, 1967 57 years ago

President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall as the first African American justice for the U.S. Supreme Court, marking a significant moment in the progress of civil rights in America. Marshall, serving as Solicitor General at the time, was renowned for his litigation skills and advocacy for civil rights. The nomination was widely recognized as a response to the calls for greater diversity in the federal judiciary. The hearing process before his confirmation began shortly after the nomination, drawing significant media attention and public interest.

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Politics & Government

Supreme Court Rules on Congressional Districts

February 17th, 1964 61 years ago

The Supreme Court ruled in Wesberry v. Sanders that congressional districts must have approximately equal populations, ensuring fair representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The case, brought forth by appellee James Wesberry, challenged Georgia's congressional districting, arguing that unequal populations diluted votes. The Court's decision emphasized the principle of 'one person, one vote,' asserting that representation should align closely with population size to maintain electoral fairness across the states.

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Politics & Government

Assassination Attempt on President Truman

November 1st, 1950 74 years ago

Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman while he was residing at Blair House in Washington, D.C. They were motivated by Puerto Rican nationalist sentiments and aimed to draw attention to the cause of Puerto Rican independence. During the attack, Torresola was killed by police while Collazo was captured and later sentenced to life in prison. This incident highlighted the tensions surrounding Puerto Rico's political status and the nationalist movements emerging from the island.

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Politics & Government

Bryan Resigns as Secretary of State

June 9th, 1915 109 years ago

William Jennings Bryan resigned from his position as Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson due to differing views on U.S. foreign policy, particularly surrounding the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. Bryan was a proponent of neutrality and believed that the U.S. should remain distant from the increasing tensions of World War I. The resignation highlighted deep divides within the administration about how to respond to Germany's actions against neutral shipping.

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