JFK WATCHES GRISSOM’S RETURN TO EARTH

July 21, 1961


JFK WATCHES GRISSOM’S RETURN TO EARTH


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy watched live television coverage today at the White House as Gus Grissom’s sub-orbital space flight ended with splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean.


While the flight itself was deemed a success, NASA officials were more than concerned about the sinking of Grissom’s capsule, “Liberty Bell 7”, during the recovery process.


In the afternoon, JFK signed into law “HR 6874” authorizing the establishment of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration.

                  Astronaut Gus Grissom
                           Liberty Bell 7
                            NASA Photo


July 21, 1962


JFK ASKS RFK TO INVESTIGATE ALBANY DEMONSTRATION


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy filed a request with the Attorney General, his brother Robert F. Kennedy, today to investigate the civil rights demonstration that took place less than 2 weeks ago in Albany, Georgia.


As a result of the demonstration, civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Rev. Ralph Abernathy were arrested & put in jail.


July 21, 1955


EISENHOWER PRESENTS “OPEN SKIES”


Geneva, Switzerland (JFK+50) United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented his “Open Skies” proposals here today at the Geneva Summit.


The proposals call for both the United States & Soviet Union to exchange maps detailing the exact location of all military installations. 


They also provide that once the maps are “in hand” both nations may conduct aerial flights over the installations of each others country to make sure they are in compliance with arms control agreements.


Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, not impressed with the proposals, said they are just an example of American propaganda.

                    Dwight D. Eisenhower
         Official White House Portrait


July 21, 1925


SCOPES FOUND GUILTY IN DAYTON,TENNESSEE


Dayton, Tennessee (JFK+50) Rhea County High School science teacher & coach, John Thomas Scopes, was found guilty today of violating Tennessee’s Butler Act.


The Butler Act, passed earlier this year, provides that the teaching of the theory of evolution is illegal in the public schools of the state of Tennessee.


The prosecution of the Scopes case was assisted by 3 time Democratic presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan who is also a religious fundamentalist.


The defense, sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union, was provided by Clarence Darrow.*


*Despite being found guilty, Scopes was fined only $100 & the fine was never paid.  Upon appeal, the guilty plea was reversed due to a technicality.


The Butler Act remained on the statute books of Tennessee until 1967.

                     Darrow & Bryan
             Rhea County Court House
                   Dayton, Tennessee
                            July 1925


July 21, 1861


UNION ARMY IN RETREAT AFTER DEFEAT AT BULL RUN


Manassas Junction, Virginia (JFK+50) The Union Army under General Irwin McDowell was routed today in the 1st major battle of the War Between the States.


The Confederate army under General P.G.T. Beauregard drove the Federals across Bull Run Creek  & back to Washington.


The turning point in the battle came on Henry House Hill where the Union attack was suddenly stopped by the Virginia troops led by General Thomas Jonathan Jackson.


Calling out to some of the Rebels who were in retreat, General Bernard Bee said:


“Look, there’s Jackson standing like a stone wall.  Rally behind the Virginians.”


From that point on, the Union Army’s advance quickly turned into retreat.*


*Thomas Jonathan Jackson will go on to become General Robert E. Lee’s right hand man & he would forever be known as “Stonewall Jackson”.

      Statue of Stonewall Jackson
Manassas National Battlefield Park
               Manassas, Virginia
      Photo by MamaGeek (2009)

HONORING US MOON LANDING 42 YEARS AGO TODAY

 July 20, 2011


HONORING US MOON LANDING 42 YEARS AGO TODAY

                           Apollo 11 Patch
             Designed by Michael Collins
                                   NASA


*Today’s JFK+50 will devote the entire posting to this event.


“Fly me to the moon
 Let me swing among the stars
 Let me see what spring is like
 On Jupiter & Mars.”


“Fly Me to the Moon” written by Paul Francis Webster & Sonny Burke.
  
“Fly Me to the Moon” was 1st recorded in 1954 by Kaye Ballard.  The best known version, arranged by Quincy Jones, was recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1964.  Buzz Aldrin played it as he walked on the moon.

                  Nearside of the Moon 
   From Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter 
                     NASA Photo (2011)


July 20, 1969


THE EAGLE HAS LANDED, USA ON THE MOON


Mare Tranquillitatis, The Moon (JFK+50) In 1961, President John F. Kennedy pledged to the American people & to the people of the earth:


“This nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon & returning him safely to the earth.”


Today, at 4:17:40 pm (EDT), the 1st part of JFK’s goal was achieved when Apollo 11’s  “Eagle” landed  on the moon’s surface with 2 American astronauts on board.*


*The 3rd astronaut, Michael Collins, was piloting the Columbia in lunar orbit.


After a touch & go descent, during which he had to take over manual control of the landing from the computer, Neil Armstrong reported:


“Houston. Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed.”*


*The Eagle became Tranquility Base upon landing on the moon’s surface.


Later, at 10:39 p.m (EDT), Armstrong opened the hatch & began his walk down the LM (Lunar Module) ladder.  He turned on the black & white TV camera attached to the LM & set his left foot on the lunar soil.


More than 500 million people (yours truly included) had their eyes glued to their TV screens across the globe.  As he made that historic step, Armstrong said:


“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Neil Armstrong Steps onto the Moon
      NASA Photo from TV Image
                    July 20, 1969


Apollo 11 Astronauts*


NEIL ARMSTRONG


Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio.  He served in the US Navy, was in the Korean War, & later became a test pilot.


He joined the astronaut corps in 1962 & his 1st space flight was on Gemini 8 in 1966.


Neil Armstrong was Apollo 11 commander & the 1st person to walk on the moon.

                        Neil Armstrong
                           NASA Photo


EDWIN “BUZZ” ALDRIN


Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey on January 20, 1930.


He is a graduate of West Point where he earned BS in mechanical engineering.


Aldrin served in Korea where he flew 66 combat missions.  He joined the astronaut program in 1963.*


*Aldrin, a Presbyterian, took communion on the lunar surface although he kept it a secret at the time.

               Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr.
                           NASA Photo


MICHAEL COLLINS


Michael Collins was born in Rome, Italy (the son of a US military officer) on October 31, 1930.


Collins attended West Point but then joined the US Air Force.


He was accepted to the astronaut program in 1963 & his 1st space flight was on Gemini 10.


Collins created the Apollo 11 patch & later when asked if he was lonely while in orbit around the moon, he said no, he felt…


“awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation.”

                            Michael Collins
                                NASA Photo


*On August 7, 2009, by an act of the Congress of the United States, these 3 heroes were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

           Aldrin, Collins & Armstrong
         with President Barack Obama
          The White House, Oval Office
                          July 20, 2009
                Photo by Bill Ingalls


President Richard M. Nixon


Richard M. Nixon, 37th President of the United States, watched the coverage of the lunar landing on television at the White House.


Mr. Nixon spoke directly with the astronauts from his telephone in the Oval Office which was linked to Houston.*


*In 1972, President Nixon approved the development of the Space Shuttle which in the morning is scheduled to officially end operations as the last shuttle returns to earth.

             Buzz Aldrin Steps Off LM
                        July 20, 1969
            Photo by Neil Armstrong
                        NASA Photo

                 Buzz Aldrin Salutes US Flag
                               July 20, 1969
                    Photo by Neil Armstrong
                                NASA Photo

US BREAKS TIES WITH PERU AFTER COUP

July 19, 1963


US BREAKS TIES WITH PERU AFTER COUP


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Kennedy administration announced at the White House today that the United States will end sending economic aid to Peru & will also suspend diplomatic relations with the Latin American nation.


The announcement follows the seizure of power in Lima by Peru’s military.

                        Congreso
                      Lima, Peru
      Photo by AgainErick (2008)


July 19, 1963


PRESIDENT & 1sT LADY ATTEND CHRISTENING


Hyannis Port, Massachusetts (JFK+50) President & Mrs. Kennedy attended the christening today of their nephew Christopher George Kennedy.


The christening took place at St. Francis Xavier Church here in Hyannis Port.


July 19, 1954


SENATOR KENNEDY PROPOSES TO CONTROL LOBBYISTS ON CAPITOL HILL


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts proposed legislation today to tighten government control of lobbyists.


Senator Kennedy suggested that Congress revise the current lobby law to register lobbyists with the Attorney General & require them to submit a list of their expenses.


July 19, 1919


CENOTAPH HONORING DEAD OF WORLD WAR IS UNVEILED IN LONDON


London, England (JFK+50) A temporary monument to the dead & wounded of the recent World War was unveiled today at Whitehall here in London.


The cenotaph was requested by Britain’s Prime Minister David Lloyd George.


The monument was designed & built by Edwin Lutyens.


Citizens have placed wreaths around the base of the cenotaph.*


*On July 30, British officials decided to rebuild a permanent cenotaph cast in Portland stone.  It would be unveiled in 1920.

                    Cenotaph of London


July 19, 1848


WOMEN’S RIGHTS CONVENTION BEGINS AT SENECA FALLS


Seneca Falls, New York (JFK+50) The 1st women’s rights convention ever held in the United States opened today here at Wesleyan Chapel.


About 200 women were on hand for the opening of the convention.


The meeting was organized by Lucretia Mott & Elizabeth Cady Stanton.


Stanton read a “Declaration of Sentiments & Grievances” to the convention.  It states:


“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men & women are created equal.”*


*Men were allowed to attend the 2nd day of the Seneca Falls Convention.  Of the 40 men in attendance on that day, the abolitionist Frederick Douglass was the most prominent.

July 19, 1799


ROSETTA STONE DISCOVERED


A group of Napoleon Bonaparte’s soldiers discovered the Rosetta Stone today.


The Egyptian stone is inscribed with a decree issued in Memphis, Egypt in 196 B.C. on behalf of Ptolemy V.*


*The Rosetta Stone will enable the translation of hieroglyphics for the 1st time.

                       The Rosetta Stone
              Photo by Hans Hillewaert
                   British Museum (2007)
      
July 19, 1692


SARAH GOOD & 4 OTHER WOMEN HANGED AS WITCHES IN SALEM


Salem, Massachusetts (JFK+50) One of the 1st women to be accused & tried for the alleged practice of witchcraft, Sarah Good, was hanged on Gallows Hill today.


Good along with 4 other women were executed.


While 4 of the women remained silent before the hanging, Sarah Good proclaimed her innocence.

JFK WANTS INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH

July 18, 1961


JFK WANTS INSTITUTE  OF CHILD HEALTH


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy asked Congress today to pass a bill authorizing the creation of a National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.


The agency would be a part of the US Public Health Services.


The President also requested the bill be put on a “fast track” for quick passage.


JFK hopes that the success experienced by the Public Health Service in other areas will be applied to issues relating especially to children.


JFK said the law will:


“enable the Children’s Bureau to carry out more efficiently its responsibility to guarantee the welfare of children.”*


*Today the agency is known as the Eunice Kennedy Shriver (JFK’s sister) National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

July 18, 1962


JFK HONORS X-15 TEST PILOTS 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy honored 4 test pilots of the experimental X-15 rocket today at the White House.


The pilots, flying the X-15 yesterday, reached an altitude of 60 miles & flew at 3800 mph.

                           X15 In Flight
                           NASA Photo


July 18, 1960


SINGER BRENDA LEE HAS #1 POP HIT “I’M SORRY”


15 year old singer Brenda Lee’s recording “I’m Sorry” reached the #1 slot on the pop charts today.


Miss Lee, 15 years old, is 4’9″ tall & weighs all of 90 pounds.


She was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1944.*


*Brenda Lee went on to earn 27 more top 40 hits in the 1960s, more than any other solo entertainer of the decade.


In the late 1980s, we were having dinner at a buffet restaurant in Dollywood.  As we were going down the buffet line, standing next to me was Brenda Lee who had a singing engagement at the park.  

                  Brenda Lee & Peter Denton
                         Peter Denton Photo
                               April 8, 1962


July 18, 1969


TED KENNEDY DRIVES OFF BRIDGE AT CHAPPAQUIDDICK


Edgartown, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Massachusetts Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy drove off the Dike Bridge this evening & his Oldsmobile submerged into the water.


The Senator was able to escape but his passenger, 28 year old Mary Jo Kopechne, a Kennedy campaign worker, drowned.


The incident happened just after 11 p.m. Eastern time.*


*On July 25, Senator Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.  He received a 2 month suspended sentence & had his driver’s license suspended for one year.  Ted said that his repeated efforts to save Mary Jo failed.

            Dike Bridge at Chappaquiddick
                 Photo by Arwcheek (2008)


July 18, 1947


TRUMAN SIGNS SUCCESSION ACT INTO LAW


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman signed into law today the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 for which he has lobbied since taking over for the late Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 12, 1945.


The act will reinstate the order of President succession which had 1st been established by Congress in 1792, but it moves the Speaker of the House to next in line for the Presidency behind the Vice-President with the President of the Senate following.


The Presidential cabinet, in order of departmental creation (except Secretary of Defense), follows.

July 18, 1940


FDR NOMINATED FOR THIRD TERM


Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) Franklin D. Roosevelt was nominated here  this evening by the delegates of the Democratic National Convention for an unprecedented 3rd term as President of the United States.


While there is currently no law prohibiting a US President from serving more than 2 terms, there is no precedent for doing so.


After 2 terms, George Washington retired to Mount Vernon & no subsequent President has broken that example or tradition.*


*By the 22nd Amendment (1947), no President may serve more than 2 terms of office.  JFK voted for the proposal to restrict Presidents to 2 terms. 


 In 1962, President Kennedy was asked would he still support the restriction.  His answer was “YES, TWO TERMS ARE ENOUGH!”




July 18, 1863


54TH MASSACHUSETTS STOPPED IN VALIANT EFFORT TO TAKE FORT WAGNER, SC


Charleston, South Carolina (JFK+50)  The 54th Massachusetts Regiment, made up of African-American soldiers commanded by white officers, failed in a valiant effort today to take Confederate Fort Wagner.


Fort Wagner, on Morris Island, is a Confederate earth work 600 feet wide & 30 feet high.


The 54th was led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw who is from a family of prominent Boston abolitionists.


The attack began at 7:45 p.m. with Shaw’s regiment marching down the beach.


The 54th suffered 1500 casualties including Colonel Shaw who was killed with 222 for the Confederates.*


*The story of the 54th Massachusetts is presented in the Academy Award winning 1990 film “Glory” starring Mathew Broderick, Denzel Washington & Morgan Freeman. 

                   “The Old Flag Never 
                   Touches the Ground”
                  by Rick Reeves (2004)




July 18, 1855


DAUGHTER BORN TO BOSTON KENNEDYS


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Patrick Kennedy & Bridget (Murphy) Kennedy announce today the birth of their 3rd daughter & 4th child.


The baby girl is named Margaret.


She was born at the family’s home on Eutaw Street in East Boston.

SENATE DEFEATS MEDICARE

July 17, 1962


SENATE DEFEATS MEDICARE 


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy expressed disappointment today when he learned the United States Senate had narrowly defeated the King-Anderson Medicare Bill which he supported.


The President vowed to continue the fight by taking the issue to the voters in the fall midterm elections.


JFK said that he hopes the people….


“will restore a Congress that will support….Medical Care for the Aged.”*


*The American Medical Association lobbied against Medicare.


While I am 2 years away from being eligible for Medicare, which was signed into law in 1965, I do resent the term “Aged” .  Could we not be kind & say “Seniors”????

              LBJ Signs Medicare Bill
        as Harry Truman, Lady Bird,
      Hubert Humphrey & Bess look on
                  LBJ Library Photo
                        July 30, 1965


July 17, 1963


JFK SAYS NORMAL RELATIONS WITH CUBA “IMPOSSIBLE”


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference today at the State Department, President Kennedy was asked if he sees Fidel Castro seeking a “more relaxed relationship” with the United States.


The President responded by saying that normal relations with Cuba are “impossible” as long as the nation remains a “Soviet satellite”.


July 17, 1960


KENNEDY ARRIVES AT LOGAN TO A BIG CROWD


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy arrived in town today fresh off receiving the 1960 Democratic nomination for President of the United States in Los Angeles. 


The Senator was greeted by 13,000 supporters.


JFK was accompanied by family members as well as campaign workers.


July 17, 1955


JFK WANTS REPEAL OF SILVER PURCHASE ACT


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy today urged the Senate Banking & Currency Committee to repeal the 19334 Silver Purchase Act.


The law provides a government market for silver.


The Senator says that the legislation causes higher prices for silver which has resulted in economic difficulties & unemployment in his home region of New England.


JFK said that the silver-processing & jewelry industries have been the hardest hit.


July 17, 1955


DISNEYLAND OPENS IN ANAHEIM


Anaheim, California (JFK+50) Walt Disney opened his 17 million dollar theme park here today.


Disneyland is built on 160 acres of land that was formerly the site of orange groves.


Mr. Disney’s park is meant to be educational as well as to provide entertainment for children & adults alike.

           Walt Disney Presents Plans 
                 to Anaheim Officials
            Orange County Archives
                    December 1954


July 17, 1945


POTSDAM CONFERENCE BEGINS TODAY


Potsdam, Germany (JFK+50) Allied representatives arrived here today, just outside of Berlin, to begin discussions on postwar Europe.


The “Big Three” representing their respective nations include:  President Harry S Truman of the United States, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain & Premier Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union.


The conference begins with an aura of suspicion as each of the Allied nations representatives have their own interests at heart.


Issues to be discussed include the postwar border of Poland, occupation of Austria & war reparations.

               “The Big 3” at Potsdam
             Churchill-Truman-Stalin


July 17, 1941


TODAY, DIMAGGIO GOES HITLESS


New York (JFK+50) New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio has got a hit in each of his last 56 consecutive games.


Today, however, DiMaggio’s streak ended as he went hitless at Yankee Stadium against the hurlers for the Cleveland Indians.


67,468 fans were in attendance today.


DiMaggio, in his 6th season with the Yanks, got his record-breaking hit in his 41st straight game on June 29 at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C.*


*DiMaggio will win the 1941 American League MVP Award.

      President Reagan Greets Joltin’ Joe
                   White House Photo
             Ronald Reagan Library


July 17, 1975


APOLLO 18 & SOYUZ 19 LINK UP IN SPACE


Houston, Texas (JFK+50) NASA reported today that US spacecraft Apollo 18 successfully docked with Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 19 today.


A historic moment came when the hatches of both spacecraft were opened & Commanders Thomas Safford & Aleksei Lzonov shook hands & exchanged gifts.


The two spacecraft will remain together for 44 hours during which time there will be experiments conducted & the astronauts & cosmonauts will share meals.

            Historic Handshake in Space
                         July 17, 1975
                           NASA Photo

JFK JR. KILLED IN PLANE CRASH NEAR MARTHA’S VINEYARD

July 16, 1999


JFK JR.,WIFE & SISTER-IN-LAW KILLED IN PLANE CRASH NEAR MARTHA’S VINEYARD


Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The son of the late President & Mrs. John F. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy & sister-in-law Lauren Bessette died this evening when their Piper Saratoga single-engine airplane crashed.


The three were going to attend the wedding of the late Robert F. Kennedy’s youngest daughter, Rory.


Mr. Kennedy, who was piloting the plane, was a graduate of Brown University & New York University Law School.


JFK Jr. was  an assistant district attorney & founder of the political magazine, “George”.*


*The article above is published as if all news were available on July 16, 1999 but the wreckage of the aircraft was not found for 2 days.  The bodies were recovered by navy divers on July 21.

                John F. Kennedy, Jr.
                 NASA Photo (1998)


July 16, 1969


CREW OF APOLLO 11 ON WAY TO HISTORY


Cape Canaveral, Florida (JFK+50) The crew of Apollo 11 was successfully launched here at 9:32 Eastern time this morning.


Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, & Michael Collins are now in the process of achieving the goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to “land a man on the moon & return him safely to the earth before this decade is out.”

                     Apollo 11 Lifts Off
                        July 16, 1969
                        NASA Photo


July 16, 1962


SI PUBLISHES JFK’S “THE VIGOR WE NEED”


New York, NY (JFK+50) Sports Illustrated published today it’s latest issue which includes an article written by President John F. Kennedy.


The title of the article is “The Vigor We Need”.


The President recommends proposals to overcome the disturbing fact that 60% of the nation’s school-aged children do not take part in regular physical fitness programs & millions of adults neglect regular exercise.


JFK says:


“The ultimate responsibility for the fitness of the American people rests on the cooperation & determination of school boards, town officials & millions of fathers & mothers.”

Official US Physical Fitness Brochure
                  JFK Library Image


July 16, 1945


ATOMIC BOMB TEST IN NEW MEXICO A SUCCESS


Alamogordo, New Mexico (JFK+50) The United States successfully exploded the world’s 1st atomic bomb here this morning at 5:29:45 local time.


The test follows years of work by the employees of the Manhattan Project approved by the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt.


At Los Alamos, the project was directed by Robert J. Oppenheimer with assistance from Hans Bethe, Edward Teller & Enrico Fermi.


The test bomb was detonated 120 miles South of Sante Fe with scientists positioned 10,000 yards away.


A mushroom cloud appeared 40,000 feet in the air.*


*The final cost of the Manhattan Project would be $2 billion.

        Trinity Atomic Test Site Obelisk
            Photo by Samat Jain (2010)


July 16, 1918


CZAR NICHOLAS II & FAMILY ARE EXECUTED


Yekaterinburg, Russia (JFK+50) The Romanovs of Russia were executed in the cellar of a house in this city late this evening by their Bolshevik captors.


Czar Nicholas II, who had been forced to abdicate in March 1917, was shot along with his wife, Alexandra, their 5 children & 4 servants.


They were ordered to dress & were waiting in a room in the cellar when a group of gunmen entered & shot them all.

                       Czar Nicholas II
         Portrait by H. Manizer (1905)


July 16, 1914


SIR LIPTON WRITES ROSE KENNEDY IS HIS “CUP OF TEA”


Southampton, England (JFK+50) Sir Thomas Lipton, aboard the Erin off the English coast today, wrote a reply to his good friend John Francis “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald.


Sir Lipton, the famous tea magnate, wrote:


“My Dear Fitzgerald:


I note that (your daughter) Rose (Fitzgerald) is getting married.  Her fiance (Joseph P. Kennedy) is a very lucky chap.  He is getting a girl that is one of the best & cleverest that ever breathed.”

               Sir Thomas Lipton (1909)

JFK ACCEPTS DEMOCRAT’S NOMINATION IN LA

July 15, 1960


JFK ACCEPTS DEMOCRAT’S NOMINATION IN LA


Los Angeles (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts accepted the nomination of the Democratic Party for President of the United States this evening here in Los Angeles.


Senator Kennedy, who gave his acceptance speech at the Los Angeles Coliseum, is the 1st Roman Catholic candidate for President since Al Smith in 1928.


In reference to the “religious issue” that came up during the campaign, JFK said:


“I hope that no American…will…throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me because of my religious affiliation.  It is not relevant.”


And he added:


“My decisions on any public policy will be my own, as an American, as a Democrat, & as a free man.”


JFK also talked about his program which is called “The New Frontier”.  He said:


“The New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises.  It is a set of challenges.   It sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them.”

                JFK Accepts Nomination
                          July 15, 1960
                   JFK Library Photo


July 15, 1961


JFK PROPOSES TO GIVE VOTE TO D.C. RESIDENTS


Hyannis Port, Massachusetts (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy transmitted a draft of a bill from his home here today to the US Congress in Washington, D.C.


The proposed legislation would restore to the residents of the District of Columbia “the basic right to local self-government through the elective process, a right enjoyed by all other American citizens”.*


*In July 1961, residents of the District of Columbia (originally created out of the states of Maryland & Virginia) were not permitted to vote in national elections.


July 15, 1962


JFK TALKS WITH MARSHALL OF NEW ZEALAND


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy conferred with New Zealand Prime Minister John R. Marshall today.


The two gentlemen discussed the possibility of Great Britain’s entrance into the European Common Market.


July 15, 1963


JFK TALKS WITH NYERERE OF TANGANYIKA


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy began 2 days of talks today with President Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika.


The two Presidents will be discussing political developments in Africa & relations between their countries.

          Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika


July 15, 1964


GOLDWATER NOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS


San Francisco (JFK+50) Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater was nominated tonight here at the Cow Palace by the delegates of the 1964 Republican National Convention.


Senator Goldwater, considered to be on the extreme right wing of his party, wrote of his conservative views in a newspaper column that was published in book form in 1960.  


The title is “The Conscience of a Conservative”.


In the 1964 campaign, Goldwater has been critical of the policies of Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy & Johnson.


He is strongly opposed to civil rights legislation & is rabidly anti-communist.*


*In his 1974 book “With No Apologies”, Goldwater wrote:


“I have served in the Senate during the terms of six Presidents.  I think Eisenhower was the best & least understood.”

              Senator Barry Goldwater
                           (R) Arizona
                   September 25, 1962
           Photo by Mario S. Trikosko


July 15, 1979


PRESIDENT CARTER SAYS THERE IS A “CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE”


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) In the midst of a national energy crisis & economic recession, President Jimmy Carter spoke to the American people tonight on national television from the White House.


President Carter said there is a lack of “moral & spiritual confidence” in the nation & that it is the cause of America’s inability to recover from its current economic crisis.


The President said a “crisis of confidence” has led to domestic turmoil as well as “the loss of unity & purpose for our nation.”

             President James Earl Carter
           Official White House Portrait


July 15, 1789


LAFAYETTE CHOSEN COLONEL-GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL GUARD OF PARIS


Paris (JFK+50) The day following the fall of the Bastille here in Paris, French aristocrat the Marquis de Lafayette was made Colonel-General of the National Guard.


Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolution & close personal friend of President George Washington, had proposed to the National Assembly just 4 days ago, a “Declaration of Rights” modeled after America’s “Declaration of Independence”*


*From 1792-1797, the Marquis was imprisoned as a traitor for his failure to support the “Reign of Terror”.

                 Marquis de Lafayette
                            July 14, 1790

LBJ NOMINATED VP BY ACCLAMATION

July 14, 1960


LBJ NOMINATED VP BY ACCLAMATION


Los Angeles (JFK50) 1960 Democratic presidential nominee, Senator John F. Kennedy, surprised many people, including members of his own staff, by offering the Vice-Presidential nomination to Senator Lyndon B. Johnson.


This evening, however, the delegates of the Democratic Convention meeting here in Los Angeles, made LBJ the Vice-Presidential nominee “by acclamation”.*


*A question still exists in the minds of some that believe JFK offered the VP slot to LBJ only as a “gesture” not expecting him to accept it.  


Regardless, it is likely JFK would have never defeated Nixon without LBJ on the ticket.

               Panoramic View of the 
       1960 Democratic Convention
                photo by Irv Brent
              Library of Congress 


July 14, 1961


JFK SAYS US WILL SEND HELP TO BRAZIL


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, after meeting with Dr. Celso Furtado, director of the Developmental Agency for Northeast Brazil, issued a statement saying the United States will send economists & technicians to help reconstruct the economy of the depressed northeastern area of Brazil.


July 14, 1962


JFK WANTS TO SLOW DOWN ARMS RACE


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Kennedy called upon Soviet leaders today to cooperate in a “creative search” for ways to end the arms race.*


*In June 1963 JFK will propose a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.


July 14, 1963


DIVISION BETWEEN SOVIETS & CHINESE GROWS


Moscow (JFK+50) Representatives from the People’s Republic of China & the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics continued their discussions today here in Moscow.


Reports indicate that the division between the two communist nations is growing.


The Soviet representatives issued a statement saying that “peaceful coexistence” with the West in the atomic age is “necessary”.


July 14, 1953


SENATOR KENNEDY BACK IN HOSPITAL


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts has been sent back to the hospital today.


The young senator has had a recurrence of malaria which he contracted during his service in the Solomon Islands during WWII.


Senator Kennedy is “resting comfortably” at the George Washington University Hospital in Georgetown.


July 14, 1918


QUENTIN ROOSEVELT SHOT DOWN IN FRANCE


France (JFK+50) Former President Theodore Roosevelt’s son, Quentin, was shot down over the Marne River in France today by a German aircraft.


Second Lieutenant Roosevelt of the 95th Aero Squadron, TR’s 4th son, was killed according to reports.


The young Roosevelt was engaged to Flora Payne Whitney, the granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt.


TR had asked President Wilson to allow him to serve in the war but when the request was turned down, TR sent his sons in his place.


The former President is devastated by the news of his son’s passing.*


*Someone said: “Finally, the little boy in Teddy Roosevelt, died.” 

                 2nd Lt. Quentin Roosevelt
                      95th Aero Squadron


July 14, 1881


BILLY THE KID SHOT DEAD BY PAT GARRETT


New Mexico Territory (JFK+50) Henry McCarty, better known as “Billy the Kid”, was shot to death today by Sheriff Pat Garrett at the Maxwell Ranch here in the New Mexico Territory.


The “Kid” had escaped jail, killing 2 guards in the process, after he had received a death sentence for murder.

                         Henry McCarty
                     a.k.a. Billy the Kid


July 14, 1789


REVOLUTIONARIES STORM THE BASTILLE


Paris (JFK+50) The Bastille, a royal fortress that symbolizes the tyranny of the French monarchy, was stormed this morning here in Paris.


The mob of French citizens dismantled the fortress.
.
The Bastille was built in 1730 to protect the city of Paris from attack by England.  It later became a prison for political troublemakers & spies.*


*Today July 14 is celebrated throughout France as “La Fete Nationale”, a national holiday in honor of the taking of the Bastille.


To all our French visitors & those of French descent: “Happy Bastille Day!”

             Storming of the Bastille
                  July 14, 1789, Paris

KENNEDY WINS NOMINATION ON 1ST BALLOT

July 13, 1960


KENNEDY WINS NOMINATION ON 1ST BALLOT


Los Angeles (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was nominated on the 1st ballot at the Democratic National Convention here this evening.


JFK defeated his closest rival, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, by a 2 to 1 margin.  Other candidates trailed far behind.


Kennedy becomes the 1st US Senator since Warren G. Harding in 1920 to be nominated by either major party for President.


The Democratic Platform, on which JFK & his running-mate (yet to be named) will run, calls for speeding up economic growth.  It also has planks on national defense, disarmament, civil rights, immigration, foreign aid & labor & tax reform.


The “top 4” final delegate vote tally is:


Kennedy 806, Johnson 409, Symington 86, Stevenson 79.5

        On the Floor of the Convention
                     www.lib.unc.edu


July 13, 1961


JFK ADDRESSES AFS STUDENTS


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy spoke at the White House today to 1850 American Field Service students from 50 countries who have been living & studying in the United States over the past year.


The President told the students:


“I hope you go from here not merely as a friend but understanding our faults & our assets.”

               AFS Students in Australia
           Photo by Mick Boundy (2006)


July 13, 1959


KENNEDY WANTS TENNIS TOURNEY MOVED FROM FOREST HILLS


Spring Lake, NJ (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts spoke to 1500 guests here today at an Essex County Governor’s Day Picnic held at the Homestead Country Club.


In his speech, the young senator said that the US Lawn Tennis Association should move its major tournament from Forest Hills, New York because of the discrimination policies practiced by the West Side Tennis Club.


July 13, 1948


DEMOCRATS ADOPT PLATFORM SUPPORTING FDR/TRUMAN POLICIES


Philadelphia (JFK+50) The delegates to the 1948 Democratic National Convention meeting here today adopted a platform which defends the foreign policies of both President Harry S Truman & the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt.


Republicans have been critical of FDR’s negotiations reached with the Soviets the Yalta Conference & of Truman’s cold war policies.


Despite the supportive platform, the Democrats are less than enthusiastic about the chances to elect Truman to his own 4 year term.


At the Republican convention held earlier, Clare Booth Luce told the delegates that Truman is a “gone goose”.*


*Some Democrats held signs at the convention which read “I’m just mild about Harry”, a rewording of the 1921 song.

July 13, 1787


CONGRESS PASSES NORTHWEST ORDINANCE


Philadelphia (JFK+50) The Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance today.


The law will organize the Northwest Territory & provide for the adding of new states to the union.


3 to 5 states are to be created out of the territory with the appointment of a governor & council for each.  When 60,000 inhabitants settle one of the territories, they may apply for statehood.

IKE BECOMES 1ST PRESIDENT TO FLY IN CHOPPER

July 12, 1957


IKE BECOMES 1st PRESIDENT TO FLY IN CHOPPER


Dwight D. Eisenhower became the 1st President of the United States to fly in a helicopter today.


It was Ike himself who suggested to the secret service that it would be more efficient to use a helicopter, rather than motorcades, for short Presidential trips.


The HMX-1 Nighthawk Squadron is now officially in the service of the White House.*


*The Marine Corps took over helicopter service for the President in 1976.  The helicopter that the President uses at any given time is called “Marine One”.

                         “Marine One”


July 12, 1960


JFK & LBJ DEBATE AT LA DEMO CONVENTION


Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts & Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, both candidates for the Democratic Presidential Nomination of 1960, faced each other today in a nationally televised debate at the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, California.


JFK commented on the fact that his Massachusetts delegates were badly outnumbered by the Texas delegation.


LBJ spoke about his leadership in the Senate while JFK was out campaigning.  


JFK said that he supported LBJ’s decision to remain in the Senate as Majority Leader & not enter the primaries.*


*JFK will win the Presidential nomination the following night on the 1st ballot & later announce LBJ as his Vice-Presidential running mate.

                             JFK & LBJ
                      August 12, 1960
                  LBJ Library Photo


July 12, 1961


JFK MEETS WITH UNHAPPY NAACP LEADERS


60 leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People came to the White House today to meet with President Kennedy.


The group, led by Stephen G. Spotswood, Washington Chairman of the Board, & Executive Secretary Roy Wilkins, expressed displeasure with JFK’s lack of action in promoting the civil rights bill now before Congress.

     JFK Listens to Civil Rights Leaders 
                        July 12, 1961
  Washington State Historical Society
        http://www.washingtonhistory.org


July 12, 1962


NASA UNVEILS PLANS FOR APOLLO PROGRAM


NASA officials today announced details concerning the Apollo Program which intends to fulfill President Kennedy’s goal of “landing a man on the moon & returning him safely to earth before this decade is out.”


According to NASA, a command module will be flown in orbit around the moon while a lunar module or “lander” will take 2 other astronauts to the surface.


After the 2 astronauts explore the lunar surface, they will return to the command module for the return trip to earth.*


*Apollo 11 will make NASA’s 1961 plan a reality in July 1969 as Michael Collins flies the command module & Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin descend to the moon’s surface in the lunar lander.  

               Apollo 16 Lunar Module
                     NASA Photo (1972)


July 12, 1984


MONDALE CHOOSES FERRARO FOR VP


Leading Democratic Presidential candidate, Senator Walter Mondale of Minnesota, announced today his choice for Vice-President.


She is Representative Geraldine Ferraro of New York State’s 9th District.


If Mondale wins the nomination as expected, Ferraro will become the 1st woman to be on a Presidential ticket & if elected in November, the 1st woman to be elected Vice-President.*


*The history making decision by Mondale was not a factor, however, against the popular incumbent Ronald Reagan who won the largest Republican landslide in US History in the Election of 1984.

                    Geraldine Ferraro