normalization to normalize relations in 1990's. >> the lead the way. >> -- they led the way. clinton had to go ahead. winston lord: vietnam is not going to become our ally, but they do see the need for reassuring american presidents in the region. kathleen mcfarland: if i can add my final lots -- one, the debates you have you could have today about -- we are still talking about a lot of the same issues, public support or what is an increasingly unpopular war. do you go back and bomb somebody who does not abide by the agreement? those are issues we are facing today. the other thing i must conclude with as i listen to the three of you, talking about with enormous

depth and dealing and concern and integrity and no naivete and the way you helped conduct foreign policy during a period of crisis in the united states and dealing with one of the most intractable problems imus he was an honor to serve -- i must say it was an honor to serve such great men. thank you for putting it down for us. people can learn a lot from what you've done for your nation. thank you very much. [applause] [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2013] >> learned from leading

historians about presidents and first ladies, their policies and legacies here on the presidency. to watch our programs or check our tv schedule, visit www.c-span.org/history. you're watching american history tv all weekend every weekend on cspan3. >> each week american history tv's reel america brings you archival films that help tell the story of the 20th century. ♪ >> plains lineup to take part in the greatest air invasion in history by the first allied airborne army, americans british, and canadians make of this armida crossing the rhine in the north near basle. 1500 planes and gliders, men and heavy equipment in his leapfrog over german positions east of the rhine.

this trip is really necessary for victory, as the first planes get away. carefully guided to avoid snarls. it's a gigantic task to get the two planes and gliders away from their bases in england safely. a job without precedent. take off instructions. winston churchill and general eisenhower observe progress from the ground, near the rhine. then, the prime minister takes a vantage point as the plane nears the objective. air force and british cameramen made these pictures as the men ready for the jump.

this is it. the plane and enables them to jump from both sides, 18 at a time, speeding up the operation. in a matter of seconds, the sky is filled with parachutes. next, the glider troops. the plane zooms to a landing with the position that comes from -- the invasion goes forward on schedule. the first wayve of troops are out fast as they wait for their buddies to land. some are hit by enemy shells.

a carrier falls in planes, caught in aircraft fire. with more split-second timing, artillery opens up. [gunshots] within eight hours, every objective was seized. a plain step to victory. anti-mine tanks clear a path on the western front. the infantry exploits from two sides.

right on the heels, many seen in this film are from his camera. the mop up continues, street by street. an officer calls on the nazis to surrender over the loudspeaker. they can take a hint when the going is tough. civilians are quick to fall. the defense was brief but bitter. however, patton's third army has struck terror into their minds.

it could be a hitler hangover, or just a patton pasting. looming is the ancient castle. koblenz is again an american hands. this giant seaplane, powered by six motors, was developed during the occupation of france under the noses of the gestapo. the method by which it was built are as secret as the plane specifications. this plane represents france's bid for a place in postwar. -- postwar air covers. france, a pioneer in aviation, stages a come back in the world of flight.

belgium will long be remembered as the site of the airborne division. eisenhower honors the screaming eagles in a ceremony without parallel in more history. -- war history. eisenhower: it is a great personal honor to be here today, to take part in the ceremony that is unique in american history. never before has a full division been cited by the war department by the president for gallantry in action. >> watching the presentation is screen actors. general eisenhower himself salutes the herald division, whose commander turned down the

german demand for surrender with the famous word, nuts. against heavy odds, the yanks stood firm. among such bravery, victory is poised. >> you are watching american history tv all weekend, every weekend on cspan3. to join the conversation, like us on facebook. >> each week, "american artifacts" takes viewers to historic sites around the country. on april 9, 18 65, confederate general robert e lee met union general ulysses s grant in the village of appomattox courthouse and surrendered his army of