検索キーワード： 制作 "Hourly History" 政治・政府

One of America’s most influential presidents was a man who could not walk. The polio that struck Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he was a future political star did not diminish him. Instead, against all expectations, it was the agent that forged his destiny.

The list of American war heroes who went on to become presidents includes men as little remembered as Zachary Taylor and as famous as Dwight D. Eisenhower. While these men are venerable with a significant their place in American history, they cannot equal the status of Ulysses S. Grant, the Civil War general who rose through the ranks from virtual obscurity to command.

How is it that so little is known about the Renaissance man of America’s early history, with no image on Mount Rushmore, no face on currency, and certainly no Broadway musical to his posthumous credit? Perhaps it’s because he was not a man who sought renown. Throughout his career, others, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams, sought his help when the country was in need of his skills. John Jay’s role in the establishment of the United States, a country that was founded upon ideals of freedom and democracy, has almost been forgotten.

On September 11, 2001, the United States faced the most devastating terrorist attack in world history when members of al-Qaeda, an Islamist fundamentalist movement, hijacked four commercial airliners and crashed them into buildings in New York and Washington, DC. Nearly 3,000 people died in these attacks, and one month later, US President George W. Bush announced the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, a military operation intended to remove the Taliban in Afghanistan and ensure that terrorists from al-Qaeda had no safe haven in that country.

Martha Washington was the original First Lady of the United States and, of course, the wife of General and President George Washington. Yet as much as history has kept her lingering in the shadows of her husband, she has her own unique story to tell. This biography delves into her early life in colonial Virginia, her first marriage to Daniel Parke Custis, and the untimely death that left her a young widow managing a vast estate. The narrative then charts her storied courtship and subsequent marriage to George Washington, the man who would become the father of a burgeoning nation.

The US-led war in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 was one of the most controversial wars in recent history. The invasion of Iraq was justified by claims that the regime of Saddam Hussein had links with terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, and possessed weapons of mass destruction that might be used in an attack on another country. Both these claims were later shown to be false.

Jimmy Carter defied every expectation. Dismissed as a failed one-term president, he transformed defeat into a remarkable second act that spanned nearly half a century. When he left the White House at 56, few could have predicted that this farmer from Plains, Georgia, would become America’s most impactful as well as longest-lived ex-president.

Some might say that Huey P. Newton was destined to bridge two worlds that rarely intersect. Here was a man who could quote Plato’s Republic as easily as he could navigate the dangerous streets of Oakland. His mind was as sharp as his street instincts were keen, and this unique combination allowed him to transform simmering frustration and deep-seated anger into something far more powerful—the Black Panther Party. This revolutionary movement would shake the very foundations of American society.

William McKinley’s presidency was fairly brief as far as presidencies go, but it was incredibly consequential all the same. The most notable and lasting part of his legacy is no doubt the US acquisition of Guam and Puerto Rico, which remain US territories to this very day.

Margaret Thatcher, famously known as the “Iron Lady” due to her tough-as-nails personality, was not only Britain’s first female prime minister, but one of the most influential political leaders of the 20th century. She commanded the spotlight at a crucial moment in both British and world history. Although she had her problems along the way—dealing with the Cold War, incursions at the Falkland Islands, and attacks by the IRA, at one point almost losing her life in the process—she rose to the occasion.

Shirley Chisholm was a force to be reckoned with. Emerging from the humble beginnings of a working-class family in Brooklyn, New York, she carved a path that few dared to tread. With her family barely scraping by, Chisholm witnessed first-hand the trials of living paycheck to paycheck and facing adversity at every turn. Yet it was this very struggle that forged her into the powerhouse she would become.

George H. W. Bush was a fascinating figure. Growing up in a wealthy family, he was driven by a calling to contribute to the greater good from an early age. His journey into adulthood was defined by valiant service in World War II, which laid the groundwork for a distinguished career in public service. He then navigated through various high-profile positions, from serving as a Congressman to holding pivotal roles as a US ambassador, and he was even made director of the CIA.

Lyndon B. Johnson was a powerful figure in American politics for many decades. Rising to prominence as a congressman and senator in his home state of Texas, he then became the surprise vice-president pick for the young and dashing John F. Kennedy. LBJ certainly cut a far different figure and utilized a much different approach than JFK, but he was just as charismatic (and not to mention cunning) in his own right. When Kennedy was tragically struck down by an assassin’s bullet in 1963, Johnson was sure to rise to the occasion.

The Ford presidency took place during a very difficult period for Americans, and he was the steady hand at the helm to ensure they made it through. This book follows Gerald Ford’s life and career from beginning to end.

Kofi Annan stands out as one of the most pivotal figures of the early twenty-first century. As the secretary-general of the United Nations, he became an enduring icon and a voice for peace and freedom all over the world.

Millard Fillmore’s journey to the presidency was anything but conventional. Born into poverty in a log cabin in western New York state, he rose from humble beginnings through sheer determination and hard work. He reached all the way to the position of vice president when President Zachary Taylor suddenly perished in office. Fillmore may not have expected his sudden elevation to the presidency, but he rose to the challenge all the same, ready to tackle some of the most pressing matters of state from day one.

Zachary Taylor might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think about US presidents. Known as “Old Rough and Ready” for his no-nonsense style and countless military victories, Taylor was a war hero long before he reluctantly stepped into politics. He didn’t seek fame or power, but his victories in the Mexican-American War made him one of the most popular people in America and ultimately propelled him to the presidency.

In the 1950s, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) secretly planned, supported, and funded two coups: one in Guatemala and one in Iran. This was the height of the Cold War, and both deposed governments were suspected of leaning to the left and favoring closer ties with the Soviet Union, while the regimes that replaced them were more inclined to look favorably on the United States.

James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States, played a pivotal role in shaping the nation. Many presidents might be given such a description, but for James Polk, it was more or less a case of manifest destiny. It was Polk who led the charge to expand the United States from sea to shining sea. Under his watch, both the northwestern border with Canada as well as the southwestern border with Mexico were put in place.

Compared to other more long-lived political figures, Robert F. Kennedy’s career was brief. He first emerged on the national stage as attorney general under his brother, President John F. Kennedy. In this role, he became a vigorous advocate for civil rights and cracked down on organized crime by going after mob bosses and high-profile Mafia families. Following his brother’s assassination in 1963, RFK transitioned to a role in the Senate, representing New York.