This Day in History — USA President
February 19, 1942 - FDR Orders Japanese American Internment
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On February 19, 1942, Executive Order 9066 authorized the forced removal of over 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast. Driven by wartime fear and prejudice, families lost homes, businesses, and freedom. Decades later, the U.S. government acknowledged the injustice, reminding Americans how easily civil liberties can be compromised during national crises.
February 17, 1801 - Electoral College Tie Broken – Thomas Jefferson Elected President
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The presidential election of 1800 led to a historic crisis when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College. After 35 deadlocked ballots, the House of Representatives elected Jefferson on February 17, 1801. The peaceful resolution strengthened American democracy and led to the Twelfth Amendment, changing how presidents and vice presidents are elected.
February 14th, 1849 - James K. Polk Becomes First U.S. President Photographed
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In 1849, President James K. Polk became the first sitting U.S. president to be photographed when he posed for Mathew Brady in New York City. This historic image marked a turning point in political communication, ushering in a new era where photography transformed how Americans viewed their leaders.
February 9th, 1870 - Ulysses S. Grant Signs Weather Reports Act
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In 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant authorized the Army’s Signal Service to collect and share nationwide weather observations by telegraph. This groundbreaking system provided early storm warnings, protected commerce and agriculture, and laid the foundation for the modern National Weather Service, transforming how Americans predict and prepare for severe weather.
February 4th, 1789 - Washington Elected President
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On February 4, 1789, the newly formed United States took a bold step into uncharted territory. For the first time, the Constitution’s Electoral College met to choose a president—and the decision was unanimous. Every elector cast a vote for George Washington, the Revolutionary War hero whose leadership and integrity had already earned the trust of the nation. Unlike today’s heated campaigns, Washington did not seek power; rather, Americans looked to him as the steady hand needed to guide their fragile republic. His election marked more than the beginning of a presidency—it signaled the birth of American democracy itself, proving that a nation could peacefully choose its leader through law, not force.