EVERY THURSDAY American History

Land of the free and home of the brave. See the stories of bold visionaries who set a course for the new world and helped to build the American Experiment.

THURSDAY ON STORY

December 4, 2025

All times Eastern
Change Time Zone

8:00A

4:00P

12:00A

Story Feature

It's Good to Be the President

You may think you know the president, but do you know what it's like to be the President? From the mundane tasks to the madness, we'll reveal the perks and perils of being the most powerful person in the world. We reveal secret details of the President's every day life inside the White House. Featuring interviews with past presidents, rarely seen recordings, and home movies, this two-hour special explores and exposes the day-to-day lives of our Commanders-in-Chief. Get a fresh perspective on the men you thought you knew. A look that trades everyday politics for their everyman side.

10:00A

6:00P

2:00A

Inside the Presidency With Roger Mudd

Eisenhower vs. Nixon

The story of how Dwight David Eisenhower and Richard Milhous Nixon substantially influenced nearly 20 years of American political history and how each man needed the other...manipulated the other...ignored the other...and ultimately cared for and embraced the other. It's also the story of personal and political friendship, and at the same time the revelation of cunning and manipulation so sophisticated as to be possible only by the likes of imposing and intelligent figures like "Ike" and "Dick.

11:00A

7:00P

3:00A

Inside the Presidency With Roger Mudd

Campaign Wars

Explores the contentious relationship between those who seek the Presidency and those who cover their campaigns. Features in-depth interviews with Jack Germond, veteran political reporter, author, and columnist for the Baltimore Sun, and former Clinton press secretary Mike McCurry.

12:00P

8:00P

4:00A

Story Feature

Beltway Unbuckled

Sex has played a role throughout America's history. Did you know an extramarital affair was one of the causes of the Civil War? Or that one of the things that made George Washington so appealing as a presidential choice was his sterility? This special takes a serious but highly entertaining look at the fascinating ways the sex lives of our nation's leaders have impacted American history and shaped the country we live in today. Some of the stories uncovered: how J. Edgar Hoover used his secret sex files to become one of the most powerful figures in Washington; although Woodrow Wilson may have won World War I, his wife Edith may have caused World War II; why FDR's dreams for the post World War II world were contained in the long-lost diary of one of the women who was with him when he died; and how JFK's fling with an East German beauty nearly ended his administration.

2:00P

10:00P

6:00A

Story Feature

The President's Book of Secrets

Moments after the President of the United States is sworn into office, he gains access to "The Nuclear Football," a briefcase that contains the most volatile top-secret information in the world--America's nuclear launch codes. The Football is a high-profile national secret, but it's only one of many pieces in the classified arsenal at the president's disposal once he assumes the role of Commander-in-Chief. Journey inside White House history to unveil staggering information about secrets known only to the president, from top-secret intelligence and classified events to covert codes and future technologies. Features exclusive interviews with Washington insiders, including former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former Director of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, former Vice President Dan Quayle, former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino, and Presidential daughter Susan Ford who reveal what it is like to live and work in the White House.

By using our site, you agree that we and third parties may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information for analytics, advertising, and other purposes described in our Privacy Policy and agree to our Terms of Use