Oklahoma City Bombing Anniversary
April 23, 2010
This week marks the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing anniversary. President Clinton spoke this week at the memorial site to mark the anniversary. His speech fifteen years ago remains one of the memorable speeches of his presidency.
Dorothy Height, 1912 – 2010
April 22, 2010
Dorothy Height, civil rights leader, passed away this week. Known for her colorful, ever-present hats, and her soft-spoken, but firm support for civil rights across many presidencies and the rise of many male civil rights leaders, she was an inspiration for many. She has 75 appearances in the C-SPAN Video Library. In this excerpt from a 2001 interview, she recounts the discrimination she faced as a high school student not permitted to stay in the same hotel as her white teachers. She was seeded last in the contest, but so persuaded the jurors that she won first prize.
Justices Testify Before Congress
April 21, 2010
Every year in a ritual of democracy which demonstrates the separation of powers, two justices appear before a congressional committee seeking funds for their budget. This year it was Justice Thomas and Breyer. While treated with respect as the justices talk about mundane aspects of the budget, questions sometimes stray out of the comfort zone.
This year Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) questioned the justices on the number of minority clerks.
Perhaps the most famous case in the Archives is when Rep. Serano questioned Justices Kennedy and Thomas about the case of Bush v. Gore. He asked how the justices could explain to the public their reasoning in the divisive case. These exchanges are rare, but they are unique cases where our branches of government intersect.
Reagan Speech on Soviet Union
April 19, 2010
The digitization of the complete archive adds more President Ronald Reagan video to the collection. In a November 30, 1987 speech to the Heritage Foundation on the eve of Soviet President Gorbachev’s visit to the United States, President Reagan clearly delivered a message on his expectation. He addressed arms control, human rights, SDI, and Soviet expansionism. His remarks included references to Afghanistan, Nicaragua, and Angola. This speech shows the classic Reagan revealing his toughness to the Soviet Union on the eve of the pending summit. The Video Library provides a glimpse into a Cold War speech by President Reagan.
Politicians and Pets
Politicians are known for doing almost anything when they are campaigning. Kissing babies comes to mind most commonly. In this priceless scene from the C-SPAN Video Library, then majority leader Senator George Mitchell is presented a turtle named George as he tours a nature farm in his state. See what happens next in the unpredictable world of politics.
This program is part of the “Day in the Life of ….” that C-SPAN has created over the years by following political leaders in a day. Use that search phrase in the Video Library to find interesting behind the scenes glimpses into a number of current and past leaders including a Member of Parliament. (Hint: put “Day in the Life” in quotes so that it zeroes in on the group of words appearing together and does not find “day” or “life” separated.)