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In September 1999, The West Wing premiered on NBC, depicting a fictional president named Jed Bartlett and his senior staff as they navigate governing the country from the White House. The show’s creator, Aaron Sorkin, called it “a Valentine to public service and to American institutions.” Subscribe on Substack to receive daily news and history like this straight to your inbox: everythingbriefing.substack.com/subscribe

🗃️ On September 22, 1993, President Bill Clinton addressed a joint session of Congress, where he laid out his proposal for a universal healthcare system. Holding up what he called a "Healthcare Security Card," Clinton said, "This card will guarantee a comprehensive package of benefits over a lifetime, comparable to those offered by Fortune 500 companies." Subscribe on Substack to receive daily news and history like this straight to your inbox: everythingbriefing.substack.com/subscribe

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kennedy Center in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson said, “This center will brighten the life of Washington, but it is not, as I have said, just a Washington project. It is a national project and a national possession.”

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After arriving back in Plains, Georgia, following his election victory in November 1976, President-elect Jimmy Carter shed a tear while addressing supporters, saying, “I came all the way through 22 months [of campaigning] and I didn’t get choked up until I turned the corner and saw you standing here.”

In 2000, former President Gerald Ford teared up during a tribute to his wife, Betty, at the Republican National Convention. The tribute honored her outspoken advocacy on breast cancer and addiction recovery, both of which she had struggled with.

In 2016, President Barack Obama broke down in tears when discussing the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, saying, “Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad.”

In 2007, President George W. Bush told journalist Robert Draper that the presidency involved a lot of crying, saying, “I've got God’s shoulder to cry on. And I cry a lot. I do a lot of crying in this job. I’ll bet I’ve shed more tears than you can count, as president.”

In 1952, General Dwight Eisenhower broke down in tears while discussing the sacrifices made by the men he led on D-Day during World War II, covering his face with a handkerchief.

Six years ago today, President Donald Trump reacted to news of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death in real time after a campaign rally in Bemidji, Minnesota.

On September 18, 2020, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at the age of 87.

During his time in office, President George W. Bush launched major initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS and malaria across Africa. In the years since, the efforts are credited with saving nearly 40 million lives across the continent in what Bush called a “work of mercy.” Speaking of the programs in 2008, Bush said, “We're a better nation when we save lives.”

In his memoir, President Barack Obama referred to the Oval Office as a “sanctum of democracy,” saying every day he served there reminded him of the “privilege of my burdens and my duties.”

Former President Joe Biden voted in Delaware’s primary election yesterday, posing for a photo with a local candidate outside his polling location at a high school in Greenville.

The Obamas announced the death of their Portuguese Water Dog, Sunny, today, saying, “As far as our family was concerned, she was pretty much perfect.”

After leaving the White House, Harry Truman returned to his home in Independence, Missouri. Despite many offers, the 33rd president refused lucrative corporate roles because he believed cashing in on the presidency was wrong. Instead, he lived out the rest of his years walking the streets of his home town, reading, and writing, calling himself “Mr. Citizen.”

Ashley Biden shared a photo with her father, former President Joe Biden, yesterday evening.

Writing to a friend in 2009, former President George H. W. Bush offered 10 pieces of advice to young people to live a happy and successful life, saying: 1. Don't get down when your life takes a bad turn. Out of adversity comes challenge and often success. 2. Don't blame others for your setbacks. 3. When things go well, always give credit to others. 4. Don't talk all the time. Listen to your friends and mentors and learn from them. 5. Don't brag about yourself. Let others point out your virtues, your strong points. 6. Give someone else a hand. When a friend is hurting, show that friend you care. 7. Nobody likes an overbearing big shot. 8. As you succeed, be kind to people. Thank those who help you along the way. 9. Don't be afraid to shed a tear when your heart is broken because a friend is hurting. 10. Say your prayers!!

On September 13, 1951, President Harry Truman hosted Thomas Dewey, his former Republican election rival, in the Oval Office. Speaking about rivalry, Truman once said, “Every political battle I have I fight with everything I’ve got, and when it’s over I get hold of my opponent and we have a bourbon and branch and say, ‘What can we do for the country?’”

🗃️ In an interview in 2005, New York real estate developer Donald Trump said that the World Trade Center should be rebuilt “bigger and better.” Speaking about plans for Freedom Tower, Trump said, “I’d rather have nothing than what they are building.”