Skip to main content
Back to Show
PBS News Hour

The history and tradition of presidential transition letters

Monday’s change of Oval Office occupants is a ritual full of traditions and customs. One of the more modern ones began in 1989, when Ronald Reagan left a note for George H.W. Bush on stationery with a whimsical bit of advice. John Yang speaks with Lindsay Chervinsky, executive director of the George Washington Presidential Library, to learn more about this tradition.

Support Provided By
Season
August 25, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
August 25, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
August 24, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
26:45
August 24, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
August 23, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
26:45
August 23, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
August 22, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
August 22, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
August 21, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
August 21, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
August 20, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
August 20, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
April 5, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
26:45
April 5, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
January 12, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
26:44
January 12, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
January 11, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
26:45
January 11, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
June 24, 2024 - PBS NewsHour full episode
57:46
Israel's Prime Minister says the intense phase of the war in Gaza will end soon as Israel and the U.S. argue over weapons deliveries.
June 3, 2024 - PBS NewsHour full episode
57:46
After Claudia Sheinbaum becomes the first woman to win Mexico's presidential election, a look at what that means for U.S. relations.
April 21, 2024 - PBS News Weekend full episode
26:44
"PBS NewsHour" asks NATO’s Secretary General if the delayed U.S. aid to Ukraine is too late to make a difference.
Active loading indicator