Videos

Early American music historian David Hildebrand talked about the creation of the national anthem. He told how the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics to the…

On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. At a commemoration of the start of the War of 1812, National Park Service Historian Vince Vaise called in from Fort…

At 7:15 p.m. EDT members of Congress gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. The buildings had been closed earlier in the day because of the threat of attack. Congressional leaders spoke about the…

The 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery was celebrated with a formal ceremony with…

Participants and guests celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan at the National Building Museum. The European Recovery Program, named after Secretary of State George Marshall who…

Former presidents, congressional leaders, family and friends gathered to honor the 37th president. Those eulogizing the former president included former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger,…

Members of Congress commemorated the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. They spoke about the impact of the attacks on policy and American life, concluding by singing…

The Department of Veterans Affairs marked the 75th anniversary of the Veterans Administration with an event in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. The ceremony began with the Presentation of the…

President Bush participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery followed by a memorial service in the Memorial Amphitheater.

With Mike Wallace acting as master of ceremonies, President Bill Clinton and others addressed the crowd of Washington dignitaries and Roosevelt family members gathered for the dedication of the new President…

President Ulysses S. Grant’s tomb was rededicated on the 100th anniversary of the original dedication and the 175th anniversary of Grant’s birth. Two bands and a color guard participated in the…

A memorial service for Eugene J. McCarthy was held at the National Cathedral. Senator McCarthy, a former Democratic presidential candidate who campaigned against then President Lyndon B. Johnson on an…

After the presentation of the colors, dignitaries spoke at the dedication ceremony to open the new Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. Mr. Brokaw served as master of…

Lynn Sherr spoke about her book, "America the Beautiful: The Stirring True Story Behind Our Nation’s Favorite Song", published by Public Affairs. She explained the creation of the song from an…

During World War II members of the Navajo Indian tribe worked as radio operators and used their native language to create unbreakable codes for the military. The Navajo “code talkers” were…

On Veterans Day Vice President Cheney participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, following which he and others spoke in the Amphitheater in a ceremony…

Ms. Thomassen-Krauss described the conservation work being done on the original “Star-Spangled Banner” flag at the National Museum of American History. She also talked about the history and…

President Bill Clinton laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Prior to the laying of the wreath, a lone bugler played taps.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff paid tribute to retiring Defense Secretary Perry. The ceremony and military drills were held indoors at Ft. Myers because of cold weather. General Shalikashvili praised Secretary…

On a 96-hour marathon campaign tour, Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole R-KS addressed Tennessee supporters at Cotton Eyed Joe Restaurant. The Oak Ridge Boys sang “God Bless…