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The Birth of "Ike"
Denison, TX Dwight David Eisenhower born in Denison, TX on October 14, 1890. Nicknamed Ike, he is the third of seven boys born to Ida and David Eisenhower. -
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The Life of Eisenhower
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Eisenhower family moves to Kansas.
Abilene, KS Two years later the family move back to Abilene, Kansas where Eisenhower grows up with a strong work ethic and a passion for outdoor activities. -
Eisenhower graduates high school
Eisenhower graduates Abilene High School in Abilene, KS. in 1909 and joins his father and uncle working at the local Belle Springs Creamery. Ike is third from right. -
Ike graduates West Point
Unable to afford tuition for both he and his brother Edgar, the two form a pact to share the courses and costs at the University of Michigan. In 1911. Before they can switch places, Eisenhower secures a spot at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He graduates from the academy in 1915. -
Ike and Mamie marry
Eisenhower is stationed in Texas where he meets Mamie Geneva Doud He proposes on Valentine's Day in 1916 and they soon marry on July 1, 1916, shortly before American entry into World War I. -
A child is born
Doud Dwight 'Icky' Eisenhower is born on September 24, 1917, but tragically dies of scarlet fever as a toddler in 1921. A second son, John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower, is born the following year on August 3, 1922. -
Promoted to Major. Commander of Tank Troop at Camp Colt, PA
Eisenhower is promoted to Major after the war and is assigned to a transcontinental Army convoy in 1919. His studies focus on the role of tanks in warfare and he produces controversial cutting-edge ideas, as well as identifying the need to improve national roads. -
Distinguished Service Award for World War I service
As a Lieutenant, Ike serves at numerous American camps. He rises through the ranks due to his exceptional organizational skills and specializes in training tank crews. While he never sees combat, Ike is awarded a Distinguished Service Medal. -
Service in the Philippines
From 1935 Eisenhower serves in the Philippines under General Douglas MacArthur as assistant military advisor to the Philippine government, advising on developing the national army. -
Eisenhower returns to America
In 1939 Eisenhower moves his family back to America where he holds a variety of posts. As World War II breaks out, Eisenhower is noted for his strategic organizational skills and is tasked with creating major war plans after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. -
Ike appointed Supreme Commander
Supreme Command In November 1942, Eisenhower is appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied forces in North Africa. Successfully defeating the Axis forces, Eisenhower commands the invasion of Sicily which leads to the fall of fascist Italy. -
Eisenhower plans for Normandy
In December 1943 Eisenhower's remit is extended to Europe and he is responsible for the strategic planning for Operation Overlord, the Allied assault on the coast of Normandy in June 1944. -
Ike's message to troops the day before D-Day
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Ike's German command
After Germany surrenders, Eisenhower manages American-occupied Germany, documenting concentration camp atrocities for use in the Nuremberg trials. He serves as the Army Chief of Staff on his return to America and is responsible for rapid demobilization of troops. -
NATO command appointment
Cold War speech Eisenhower assumes an appointment as first Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1951. -
President Eisenhower
Ike for PresidentIn 1952 Eisenhower is nominated by the Republican Party for US President. On November 4, 1952, Eisenhower wins the election by a landslide and is elected as the 34th US President. -
Eisenhower's Cold War strategy
Shortly after Stalin's death, Eisenhower highlights the escalating cost of Cold War military defense in his "Chance For Peace" speech. His policy is to use inexpensive nuclear weapons as a deterrent, while reducing the funding for conventional military forces. Eisenhower expresses a 'domino theory' about the spread of communism and advocates military negotiation for liberation and peaceful uses for atomic energy. Despite his best efforts, Cold War tensions escalate during his period in office. -
Ike re-elected.
Ike re-electedEisenhower wins his re-election in 1956 with an even greater margin. His two terms are characterized domestically by considerable economic prosperity, the creation of the Interstate Highway System and significant civil rights legislation (1957 and 1960 Civil Rights Acts). He continues the New Deal policies and expands social security provisions. -
Eisenhower Doctrine
Eisenhower forces an end to the Suez Crisis in 1956. The following year he announces the "Eisenhower Doctrine" which establishes America as the protector of unstable friendly governments in the Middle East against communist-led attacks. -
Ike forms NASA
NASA When Russia launches Sputnik in 1957, Eisenhower swiftly forms the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and launches an aggressive campaign to both fund space exploration and improve science in national higher education. -
Eisenhower in Space
Eisenhower in Space Eisenhower's is the first voice to be transmitted in space by the SCORE Satellite. -
Eisenhower retires
Ike the painter Eisenhower is the first President to be "term limited" to two terms. He is also the first outgoing President to receive a lifetime pension, state-provided staff and a Secret Service detail. Eisenhower retires to a farmhouse in Gettysburg where he enjoys his two favorite hobbies; golf and painting. He produces approximately 260 oil paintings of landscapes and portraits. -
Eisenhower dies
Eisenhower's Funeral A heavy smoker, Eisenhower has his first heart attack in 1955, but after retiring he suffers several additional heart attacks. Eisenhower dies on March 28, 1969 from a heart-related illness. He is given both state and military funerals.
