History Happy Hour: President McKinley—Architect of the American Century

History Happy Hour is a weekly virtual program hosted by the White House Historical Association. Join us as experts weigh in on a variety of historical topics, share their insights, answer audience questions, and enjoy presidential-inspired libations.

In this episode, acclaimed historian Robert Merry will resurrect the presidential reputation of President William McKinley, who lost out to the brilliant and flamboyant Theodore Roosevelt who succeeded him after his assassination. In his two terms as president (1897 – 1901) McKinley transformed America, establishing the US as an imperial power. Although he does not register large in either public memory or in historians’ rankings, Merry will unfold the mystery of how this bland man managed so much powerful change.