Dwight D. Eisenhower — 34th U.S. President

President Details

President Number: 34
Years in Office: 1953 - 1961
Term Dates: January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961
Political Party: Republican
Vice President(s): Richard Nixon

Legacy Summary

Eisenhower's presidency stabilized the United States during a period of economic growth and Cold War tension. He prioritized infrastructure and scientific investment, signing the Federal-Aid Highway Act and creating NASA while pursuing containment and cautious diplomacy.

He advanced civil rights enforcement in limited but consequential ways—sending federal troops to enforce desegregation at Little Rock and signing the Civil Rights Act of 1957—and appointed Chief Justice Earl Warren, influencing landmark Supreme Court rulings. His farewell warning about the "military-industrial complex" and the use of covert actions during the Cold War have left a complex and lasting legacy.

Notable Actions

Supreme Allied Commander in World War II; Negotiated a Korean War armistice, ending large-scale combat; Created the Interstate Highway System (Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956); Established NASA (1958) and strengthened the U.S. space program; Enforced school desegregation at Little Rock and signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957; Warned of the "military-industrial complex" in his 1961 farewell address

Timeline Entries

Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.

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Eisenhower delivers the 1957 State of the Union Address

January 8, 1957 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Speech

Eisenhower delivers the 1957 State of the Union Address

President Eisenhower spoke to a joint session of Congress outlining his administration's priorities for 1957, including national defense, fiscal restraint, and foreign policy initiatives such as the recently proposed Middle East assistance plan.

Eisenhower presents the 'Eisenhower Doctrine' to Congress

January 5, 1957 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Foreign Policy

Eisenhower presents the 'Eisenhower Doctrine' to Congress

On January 5, 1957, President Eisenhower delivered a special message to Congress proposing the Eisenhower Doctrine, offering U.S. economic and military assistance to Middle Eastern countries resisting armed aggression from nations controlled by international communism.

Electoral College meets and formally confirms Eisenhower's reelection

December 17, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Election / Transition

Electoral College meets and formally confirms Eisenhower's reelection

State electors met in their capitals and cast their Electoral College votes, formally confirming Dwight D. Eisenhower's victory in the 1956 presidential election.

United Nations General Assembly creates United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to secure a Suez ceasefire

November 7, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Foreign Policy

United Nations General Assembly creates United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to secure a Suez ceasefire

On November 7, 1956, the UN General Assembly approved the establishment of the United Nations Emergency Force to supervise and enforce a ceasefire in the Suez region, a course of action the Eisenhower administration supported.

1956 congressional elections — Democrats retain control of both houses

November 6, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Election / Transition

1956 congressional elections — Democrats retain control of both houses

On Election Day (November 6, 1956), voters re-elected Dwight D. Eisenhower while congressional results left Democrats in control of both the House and the Senate.

Dwight D. Eisenhower wins re-election in the 1956 presidential election

November 6, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Election / Transition

Dwight D. Eisenhower wins re-election in the 1956 presidential election

Incumbent President Dwight D. Eisenhower defeated Democratic challenger Adlai Stevenson on November 6, 1956, securing a second term with a large electoral vote margin.

Eisenhower condemns Soviet intervention in Hungary and urges United Nations action

November 5, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Foreign Policy

Eisenhower condemns Soviet intervention in Hungary and urges United Nations action

On November 5, 1956, President Eisenhower publicly condemned the Soviet Union's military intervention in Hungary and called on the United Nations to address the crisis.

Soviet forces launch major offensive to crush the Hungarian Revolution

November 4, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Foreign Policy

Soviet forces launch major offensive to crush the Hungarian Revolution

On November 4, 1956 Soviet tanks and troops entered Budapest and other Hungarian cities in a full-scale intervention that crushed the anti-Soviet Hungarian uprising.

Eisenhower demands immediate ceasefire in the Suez Crisis and backs UN mediation

November 2, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Foreign Policy

Eisenhower demands immediate ceasefire in the Suez Crisis and backs UN mediation

President Eisenhower publicly condemned the Anglo‑French‑Israeli military action in Egypt, called for an immediate ceasefire, and urged the dispute be resolved through the United Nations.

Britain and France begin air strikes on Egyptian targets, escalating the Suez Crisis

October 31, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Military Action

Britain and France begin air strikes on Egyptian targets, escalating the Suez Crisis

British and French forces launched air strikes against Egyptian airfields and ports, initiating direct Anglo-French military operations in the Suez Crisis.

Israel launches invasion of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula (start of Suez Crisis)

October 29, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Foreign Policy

Israel launches invasion of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula (start of Suez Crisis)

On October 29, 1956, Israeli forces invaded Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, initiating the military phase of the Suez Crisis.

Secret Sèvres agreement reached by Israel, Britain, and France to coordinate action in Egypt

October 24, 1956 • Dwight D. Eisenhower

Foreign Policy

Secret Sèvres agreement reached by Israel, Britain, and France to coordinate action in Egypt

On October 24, 1956, representatives of Israel, Britain, and France met secretly near Sèvres, France, to coordinate a plan in which Israel would invade Sinai and Britain and France would intervene.

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