Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas.

On July 1, 1916, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mamie were married at noon in the Doud family home in Denver. This was the same day Ike received his first army promotion. They enjoyed a ten-day honeymoon, spending the initial days in Colorado and then visiting the Eisenhower family in Abilene, Kansas.

On December 24, 1943, Eisenhower is appointed as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, tasked with commanding the crucial OPERATION OVERLORD, the invasion of Europe.

On June 6, 1944, Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded the forces of the Normandy invasion.

On December 20, 1944, Dwight D. Eisenhower was promoted to General of the Army (5 stars).

General Eisenhower accepts Germany's unconditional surrender on May 7, 1945, marking the end of World War II in Europe and a significant moment in history.

Shortly after the German surrender on May 8, 1945, Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed as the Military Governor of the U.S. Occupied Zone in Frankfurt, Germany.

On November 19, 1945, Dwight D. Eisenhower was designated as the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

On April 11, 1946, Dwight D. Eisenhower's wartime rank of General of the Army was converted to permanent rank.

The official copy of the NATO treaty, signed and sealed by Secretary of State Dean Acheson, was authenticated.

On December 16, 1950, Dwight D. Eisenhower was named Supreme Allied Commander of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Europe, and given operational command of U.S. Forces, Europe.

On June 4, 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower announced his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination for President in Abilene, Kansas.

On July 11, 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower accepted the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention in Chicago.

Dwight D. Eisenhower wins the presidential election with 83.2% of the Electoral College and 54.9% of the popular vote.

On November 5, 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered remarks accepting his election as the 34th President of the United States.

Dwight D. Eisenhower served as the President of the United States of America from 1953 to 1961.

Dwight D. Eisenhower is inaugurated as the 34th President of the United States, known for his leadership during World War II.

Dwight D. Eisenhower highlighted the significance of mutual security and cooperation in foreign affairs, free trade, strengthening the forces of the Republic of Korea, balancing the budget, assuring domestic security, building a stable agricultural sector, and promoting equality of rights for all citizens regardless of race, color, or creed.

Delivers the 'Chance for Peace' speech against increased military spending, emphasizing the need for peace and the dangers of war, highlighting the global situation in the spring of 1953.

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for conspiracy to commit espionage during a period of anti-Communist fervor in the United States, amidst the Cold War and Senator Joseph McCarthy's hearings to oust Communists from the U.S. government.

Senator Joseph McCarthy, Chair of Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Senate Government Operations Committee, begins investigating Communists in the U.S. Army.

Announcement of the Soviet test of a hydrogen bomb in a Press Conference.

President Eisenhower signs the Wiley-Dander Seaway Act, establishing the St. Lawrence Seaway in partnership with Canada, facilitating maritime transportation from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.

In a news conference, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced and explained the U.S. refusal to sign the Geneva Agreements of 1954, particularly the cease-fire line that divided Vietnam in two at the 17th parallel, signaling the U.S.'s stance on Communist aggression in the region.

On April 22, 1955, Dr. Jonas Salk was presented with a presidential citation by Dwight D. Eisenhower in recognition of his extraordinary achievement, likely referring to the development of the polio vaccine.

The “Spirit of Geneva” conference in 1955, despite failing to produce agreements on arms control or major international issues, played a significant role in easing tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States. President Eisenhower's demonstration of the United States' commitment to peace while standing firm against Soviet threats contributed to his increased popularity, reaching 79 percent according to a Gallup poll, the highest level during his presidency.

President Eisenhower was hospitalized at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, CO after suffering a massive heart attack during his extended vacation in Colorado. His seven-week hospitalization raised concerns about governing authority in the event of presidential disability.

By Executive Order, the President establishes the President’s Board of Consultants on Foreign Intelligence Activities, which continued under varying names through the Trump Administration.

President Eisenhower approves the use of the highly secret U-2 spy aircraft to make overflights of the Soviet Union. This decision has significant implications for the Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal Company, leading to tensions with the United States and other Western powers. President Eisenhower views the canal as an international waterway and this event has a major impact on global politics and trade.

Eisenhower wins a second term by defeating Stevenson in the election.

Congress sanctions the “Eisenhower Doctrine” on March 7, 1957.

President Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act, a significant legislation aimed at addressing racial discrimination and segregation in the United States.

Eisenhower signs a bill admitting Hawaii as the fiftieth state of the United States.

President signs the Hawai’i statehood bill, officially making Hawai’i the 50th state of the United States.

President sends a letter to Nikita Khrushchev proposing an initial ban on atmospheric nuclear tests and emphasizing the importance of on-site inspections.

A United States U-2 spy plane was shot down by the Soviet Union using surface-to-air missiles. The pilot survived and the Soviets recovered much of the plane.

The Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev revealed the U-2 incident, exposing the United States' spying activities over the Soviet Union. This revelation led to a diplomatic crisis and undermined the credibility of the Eisenhower administration.

Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his famous Farewell Address on January 17, 1961, warning the nation about the dangers of the military-industrial complex. This address has been widely recognized for its insightful commentary on the influence of the military-industrial complex.

On March 28, 1969, Dwight D. Eisenhower passed away at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC.

The dedication of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, honoring the 34th President of the United States, took place on July 22, 2022.