NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

 October 9, 2011


WASHINGTON TRIP: NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

    Sky View from the Atlantic Pavilion
       National World War II Memorial
                      Washington, D.C.
          Photo by John White (2011)


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One of the places we wanted to be certain to visit during our recent trip to the Nation’s Capital, was the National World War II Memorial.

             World War II Memorial
                   Washington, D.C.
         Photo by John White (2011)


Work was in progress on the memorial during my last visit to D.C. in 2003, so I was anxious to see it in its completed form.


The WWII Memorial is located on 7.4 acres of land between the Washington Monument & Lincoln Memorial.


It honors the 16 million men & women, including my dad, Roy G. White*, who served in WWII.


Two 43 foot pavilions mark victory in the war’s major theaters: Atlantic & Pacific & 56 17 foot pillars represent states, territories & the District of Columbia. 

                         Tennessee Pillar
                World War II Memorial
           Photo by John White (2011)


We found the “Freedom Wall” to be most impressive with its 4000 sculptured gold stars which represent 400,000+ Americans who gave their lives in the war.

                           Freedom Wall
                        WWII Memorial
            Photo by John White (2011)


*I’ve included a story in JFK+50 on my dad’s service in WWII previously.  He was given the opportunity to tour the WWII Memorial with a group of veterans a few years back. 


Today my dad is celebrating his 88th Birthday.  Happy Birthday, Dad, & thanks for your service in the United States Army in WWII.

         Jennifer at the WWII Memorial
                    Washington, D.C.
                     September 2011
                Photo by John White


October 9, 2011


“PAN AM” AIRS “ICH BIN EIN BERLINER”


Tonight’s episode of  ABC-TV’s “Pan Am”, airing at 10 p.m. (EDT), is titled “Ich Bin Ein Berliner”.


The crew is aboard a flight that is taking journalists to Berlin in order to cover an expected speech by President Kennedy.


Maggie is determined to meet JFK after working on his campaign.


Kate tries to help her endangered contact.*


*A thank you to my daughter Jennifer for alerting me to this program.

                   Pan Am Boeing 707
                  Zurich, Switzerland
     Photo by Eduard Marmet (1985)


October 9, 1959


SENATOR KENNEDY ADDRESS LABOR COUNCIL


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy spoke to the delegates of the 2nd convention of the Massachusetts Labor Council of the AFL-CIO today here in Boston.

The address was given at the Statler-Hilton Hotel.


Senator Kennedy said that he plans to introduce a bill to raise the minimum wage & to increase unemployment compensation.


Union president, William J. Belanger, introduced a resolution asking Kennedy to be a candidate  for President of the United States in 1960.


In response, JFK said: 


In “Ecclesiastes” it says:  “‘There is a time to fish & a time to cut bait’….  
I believe this is the time to fish & January 1960 (will be) the time to cut bait.”


October 9, 1955


BOSTON SUNDAY POST PUBLISHES SENATOR KENNEDY’S REPORT ON POLAND


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The Boston Sunday Post today published an article by Senator John F. Kennedy detailing his observations of Poland during his current European tour.


The article details JFK’s perceptions of the crowded apartment conditions, the high cost of goods, the conditions of the Warsaw ghetto where the Nazis confined Jews during the occupation, control of the press by the government & government attempts to subvert the church.

October 9, 1942


AUSSIES ADOPT STATUTE OF WESTMINSTER


Canberra, NSW, Australia (JFK+50) The government of Australia today formally adopted the Statute of Westminster of 1931 today here in Canberra.


The statute, passed by the British Parliament, established legislative equality for self-government in the dominions of the British Empire & United Kingdom.


The Statute of Westminster applied to Canada, the Irish Free State & South Africa with no qualification, but Australia’s status, along with that of New Zealand & Newfoundland, were contingent upon adoption by their own legislatures.*


*New Zealand adopted the statute in 1947 but Newfoundland never adopted .


October 9, 1635


ROGER WILLIAMS BANNED FROM MASSACHUSETTS


Salem, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Roger Williams, a minister who has repeatedly spoken in favor of religious dissent, was banned today from the Massachusetts Bay Colony by the General Court.


Born in England, Williams arrived in Boston 4 years ago & served as a teacher in the Boston church.  He came to believe, however, that the Church of England is corrupt & so favored the separatist viewpoint.


Williams has preached the belief that every person has a natural right to freedom of religion & he has advocated the separation of church & state.


Having moved here to Salem 2 years ago, Williams, charged with sedition & heresy, was tried & convicted by the General Court of Massachusetts.*


*Roger Williams established Providence Plantation, the 1st colony to separate citizenship & religion. 


Eventually Providence Plantation merged with Rhode Island & the colony was the 1st to declare independence from Great Britain & the last to ratify the United States Constitution.

               Roger Williams Meets 
               Narragansett Indians
  by James Charles Armytage (1856)
           New York Public Library


October 9, 1969


NATIONAL GUARD CALLED TO BREAK UP CHICAGO 8 PROTESTS


Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) The National Guard was called in today to break up demonstrations in protest of the trial of the so-called “Chicago 8”.


The “Chicago 8” are the men who are charged with conspiracy to cross state lines to cause a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention held here in Chicago.


The riot referred to in the charge turned violent when anti-war demonstrators were confronted by Chicago police by order of Mayor Richard Daley.


October 9, 1967


CHE GUEVARA EXECUTED IN BOLIVIA


La Higuera, Vallegrande, Bolivia (JFK+50) Che Guevara, guerilla fighter & socialist revolutionary, was assassinated today by soldiers of the army of Bolivia.


Guevara was born in Argentina in 1928 & was awarded a medical degree in 1953.


He became involved in left-wing organizations & soon joined Fidel Castro in seizing power in Cuba in 1959.


Guevara, who served as Castro’s Minister of Industry, resigned in 1965 & went to Africa & then Bolivia.*


*The Bolivian soldiers who killed Che Guevara, according to a declassified brief by Peter Kornbluh, were “trained, equipped & guided by U.S. Green Beret & CIA operatives.”

                         Che Guevara

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

October 7 & 8, 2011  


TRIP TO WASHINGTON:  THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

         The Washington Monument
         Photo by John White (2011)


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) While we were unable to actually “visit” the Washington Monument during our recent trip to the Nation’s Capital, the tallest stone structure in the world was visible from our hotel room window near Dupont Circle & from many of the places around town we did visit.

     Top of the Washington Monument
            Photo by John White (2011)


The monument, also the world’s tallest obelisk at 555+ feet, has been closed to the public since the recent earthquake of August 23, 2011.


On our 2nd day in D.C., September 26, 2011, the National Park Service announced the monument would be closed indefinitely due to structural damage.


The Washington Monument was designed by Robert Mills.  Construction began in 1848 & was completed in 1884.

              Jennifer White Supports
          The Washington Monument
          Photo by John White (2011)


October 7, 1963


JFK SIGNS LIMITED NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963 today in the Treaty Room at the White House.

JFK Signs the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
        The White House Treaty Room
                      October 7, 1963
          Photo by Robert Knudsen

                JFK Library Photo


The President said:


“Today the fear is a little less & the hope a little more.  This limited treaty can only survive if it has from others the determined support which I hereby pledge on behalf of the United States.”


The treaty bans all nuclear tests except those conducted underground.*


*JFK considered the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty his greatest achievement as President of the United States.

October 7, 1914


DAUGHTER OF BOSTON MAYOR MARRIES JOE KENNEDY 

    Fitzgerald-Kennedy Marriage
                 October 7, 1914


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The Mayor of the city of Boston, Massachusetts, John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, gave away his daughter Rose today in her marriage to Joseph Patrick Kennedy.


The marriage ceremony was held in the private chapel of William Cardinal O’Connell at 25 Granby Street at 9 this morning.


Rose wore a white satin gown & her sister, Agnes, served as Maid of Honor.


Mr. Kennedy’s Harvard classmate, Joseph Donovan, was Best Man.


The Kennedys have planned a 2 week honeymoon at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.


October 7, 1960


KENNEDY-NIXON FACE OFF IN DEBATE #2

                          Nixon v. Kennedy
                             2nd TV Debate
                            October 7, 1960


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Democratic & Republican candidates for President in 1960 squared off tonight in the 2nd of 4 face-to-face televised debates.


This debate was held in Studio A of NBC affiliate WRC-TV on Massachusetts & Nebraska Avenues.


The debate was moderated by Frank McGee of NBC News.


The topics of this debate included Foreign Policy & Civil Rights.


Senator Kennedy, the Democratic nominee, was asked:


“In your acceptance speech you said that your campaign would be based on what you wanted to ask of the American people. What (do) you have in mind?”


JFK responded:


“If they elect me President, I will do my best to carry the United States through a difficult period.  I would not want people to elect me because I promise them the easy, soft life.  I think its going to be difficult, but I’m confident that this country can meet its responsibilities.”*


*61,900,000 viewers watched the 2nd televised debate.


October 7, 1960


“ROUTE 66” PREMIERS ON CBS-TV


Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) CBS Television’s premier of it’s new series, “Route 66”, had a hard act to follow tonight.  


The 1st show in the series aired after the second televised debate between John F. Kennedy & Richard Nixon.


The show stars Martin Milner as Tod Stiles & George Maharis as Buz Murdock, 2 young men in search of adventure as they drive across the USA in a Chevrolet Corvette.*

*Route 66 was the 1st television series shot entirely on location across the United States & Canada.  


One of the episodes “A Walk with the Serpent” was filmed in Boston & included scenes at Bunker Hill, Lexington & the Old North Church.  It aired on January 5, 1962.  


A second episode, “Kiss the Maiden, All Forlorn” was filmed in downtown Dallas, Texas & aired on April 13, 1962.

                            Route 66 Inn
                         Amarillo, Texas
          Photo by Billy Hathorn (2008)


October 7, 2001


OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM HAS BEGUN


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Less than a month after the terrorists attacks of 9-11, President George W. Bush announced tonight, in a televised address from the White House, that “Operation Enduring Freedom” has been launched in Afghanistan.


The military operation, carried out with the assistance of Great Britain, Canada, Australia, Germany & France, will target the Taliban which supported al-Qaida in the 9-11 terrorists attacks on the United States.

           US Marines Alpha Company
               Battalion Landing Team
                   Operation El Dorado
                         May 5, 2004
         Photo by Cpl Jemssy Alvarez, Jr.
                        USMC Photo 


October 7, 2003


SCHWARZENEGGER ELECTED GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA


Sacramento, California (JFK+50) Austrian born body-builder & movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was elected Governor of the state of California today.


Mr. Schwarzenegger, who won “Mr. Universe” 4 times & “Mr. Olympia” 7 times, defeated his closest rival by more than a million votes.


There were 135 candidates in the race.


Arnold Schwarzenegger became a US citizen in 1983 & starred in his most famous movie, “The Terminator”, in 1984.


In 1986, Mr. Schwarzenegger married Maria Shriver, JFK’s niece.

           Arnold Meets President Reagan
         Republican National Convention
                    Dallas, Texas (1984)
Photo by Michael Arthur Worden Evans

THE WHITE HOUSE

October 6, 2011

                   The White House
                       North Portico
                September 24, 2011
              Photo by John White


TRIP TO WASHINGTON: THE WHITE HOUSE


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) What would a visit to Washington, D.C. be without a visit to the White House?


Unfortunately, it is not as simple a task as it was back in 1962 when I 1st visited.


Today, you must book reservations 6 months in advance through your congressman’s office.  Since our recent trip was planned just a couple of weeks in advance, we were unable to do that.


On our 1st night in Washington, we walked from our hotel down 10th Street past Ford’s Theater & turned onto Pennsylvania Avenue.


When we reached the Treasury Building, we walked up to make the turn back on Pennsylvania (now closed to vehicular traffic) but were directed by guards to continue walking to H Street.


At the entrance to Lafayette Square there was only a single walkway open with guards blocking other entrances.


Only then, were we able to reach the sidewalk opposite the North grounds of the White House.


We took a few pictures & headed on our way. 

   Jennifer at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave
          Photo by John White (2011)


The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, has been the home of every President of the United States except George Washington, who laid the cornerstone in 1792.

White House from Lafayette Square
                    July 14, 2003
           Photo by John White




John Adams, the 2nd President & 1st to live in the White House, wrote these words:


“I Pray Heaven to Bestow the Best Blessings on this house & on all that shall hereafter inhabit it.  Let none but honest & wise men ever rule under this roof.”*


*This quotation is carved into the mantle of the White House Dining Room.

       1st Photo of the White House
             by John Plumbe (1846)


October 6, 1961


JFK SAYS AMERICANS SHOULD BUILD FALLOUT SHELTERS


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) A letter from President John F. Kennedy was read today at a meeting of state civil defense directors here in the Nation’s Capital.


In the letter, JFK calls upon federal & state governments, along with private industry, to provide “fallout protection for every American as rapidly as possible.”


The President also wrote:


“Radioactive fallout…..could account for the major part of the casualties which  might  result from a thermonuclear attack on an unprotected population.”

           Model of a Fallout Shelter


October 6, 1962


JFK ATTENDS “BEAN FEED” IN MINNESOTA

      JFK Speaking at the “Bean Feed”
                  St. Paul, Minnesota
                      October 6, 1962
            Photo by Jerome Liebling


St. Paul, Minnesota (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota today to attend the annual Democratic Farmer Labor Party’s “Bean Feed”.


JFK was accompanied by Minnesota Democrats Hubert H. Humphrey & Eugene McCarthy.*


*On October 1, 1960, Senator Kennedy had appeared at the Bean Feed & said:


“This week I had the opportunity to debate with Mr. Nixon.  I feel that I should reveal that I had a great advantage in that Mr. Nixon had just debated Mr. Khrushchev & I had debated with Hubert Humphrey & that gave me an edge.” 


October 6, 1973


YOM KIPPUR WAR BEGINS


Middle East (JFK+50) Egyptian & Syrian forces launched a combined attack on Israel today on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.

  
    Forces of Egypt Cross Suez Canal
                    October 7, 1973


October 6, 1981


ANWAR SADAT OF EGYPT ASSASSINATED

                     Anwar Sadat
            3rd President of Egypt
                      (1970-1981)


Cairo, Egypt (JFK+50) President Anwar Sadat of Egypt was assassinated today as he was reviewing Egyptian troops during a celebration of the beginning of the Yom Kippur War.


Sadat, who was shot 4 times, died 2 hours after the attack.


His Vice-President, Hosni Mubarak, who was sitting next to Sadat, was wounded but is expected to survive.


The assassination was the work of Takfin Wal-Hajira terrorists.

UNITED STATES CAPITOL

October 5, 2011


TRIP TO WASHINGTON:  UNITED STATES CAPITOL

                    United States Capitol
                      September 26, 2011
                    Photo by John White


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) We visited the United States Capitol Building twice during our recent trip to the Nation’s Capital.


The 1st was on Sunday, September 25, when the Capitol itself was closed.  


We took the opportunity to walk completely around the grounds & get some great pictures on a beautiful Washington afternoon.

                          Jennifer White
                      Visits US Capitol
                   September 25, 2011


Our 2nd visit came on Monday, September 26, when we enjoyed a tour of the Capitol building itself.


The House of Representatives was adjourned for the week, but the Senate was in session.


The tour was informative & interesting & the magnificence of the building itself never ceases to amaze.


President George Washington laid the cornerstone for the Capitol building in 1793 & construction was completed in 1863 with the placement of the statue “Freedom” atop the dome.*


*President Lincoln decided construction of the Capitol building should continue during the Civil War as a sign that the Union would also.

                    Statue “Freedom”
                  Atop Capitol Dome
               Photo by John White 


The design of the Capitol is that of architect William Thornton, a Pantheon-like dome flanked by symmetrical wings of the House & Senate.


The 1st President to address Congress in the new Capitol was John Adams who spoke in 1800 when only the north wing had been completed.


In 1865, inside the Capitol dome, a round ceiling fresco titled “The Apotheosis of Washington” was completed by Constantino Brumidi.

                 US Capitol Rotunda
                  September 26, 2011
                Photo by John White


A small white marble stone in the center of the floor of the Rotunda marks the spot where the remains of Presidents of the United States have rested including Abraham Lincoln & John F. Kennedy.

                     Center of Rotunda Floor
                       Photo by John White 


In 1832, Frances Trollope, an English visitor, wrote:


“The beauty & majesty of the American capitol might defy an abler pen than mine to do it justice.  It stands so finely too, high & alone.”

Jennifer Leigh White

So Excited to be at the Capitol

September 25, 2011

Photo by John White

October 5, 1950


JOHN F. FITZGERALD IS LAID TO REST 


West Roxbury, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The former mayor of the city of Boston, John Francis Fitzgerald, was laid to rest today at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery here in West Roxbury.


The popular “Honey Fitz”, as he was known, loved political life & enjoyed singing “Sweet Adeline” on campaign.


Mr. Fitzgerald, who suffered a lengthy illness, died on October 2 at 11:55 p.m.


A mass was conducted at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.  The mass was officiated by Richard J. Cushing.*


*John F. Fitzgerald was JFK’s grandfather & President Kennedy named his yacht, “Honey Fitz”, in his honor.

                       John F. Fitzgerald
                               1863-1850
              Library of Congress Photo


October 5, 1961


JFK SIGNS COMMUNITY HEALTH ACT


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed into law today the Community Health Services & Facilities Act.


The legislation authorizes federal aid for the construction of health research facilities as well as grants to develop less costly out-of -hospital care for senior citizens & the chronically ill.


October 5, 1964


LBJ ATTACKED BY SENATOR NELSON


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Disturbed by growing reports that the Johnson administration is planning to escalate the war in Vietnam, Democratic Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson today expressed dissatisfaction with this prospect.


The Senator said that the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by both houses of Congress, does not authorize the President to escalate the war.*


*Congress finally repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1970.


Senator Nelson went on JFK’s conservation tour in 1963 & was the founder of “Earth Day”.  He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995 for his work on environmental protection.  He died in 2005 at the age of 89.

                    Senator Gaylord Nelson
                              (D) Wisconsin


October 5, 1947


TRUMAN IS A STAR ON TELEVISION


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman became the 1st President of the United States today to give a televised address from the White House.


FDR was the 1st President to appear on TV.  His broadcast was to a limited audience at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.


In his televised address today, President Truman asked the American people to cut back on their consumption of grain in order to help Europeans who are short on food supplies in the aftermath of WWII.


Mr. Truman suggested that Americans refrain from eating meat on Tuesdays, & eggs & poultry on Thursdays.*


*While more Americans had TV sets in their homes in 1947, the large majority did not.  


Just as FDR was the 1st “radio” president, JFK was the 1st “television” president.  Both were adept at using these respective mediums to their fullest political advantage.


October 5, 1813


TECUMSEH DIES AT BATTLE OF THE THAMES


Moraviantown, Canada (JFK+50) Shawnee chief Tecumseh was killed here today at the Battle of the Thames.


Tecumseh had organized resistance to white settlement on native-American lands.*


*The death of Tecumseh marked the end of Indian resistance east of the Mississippi River.

                     “Death of Tecumseh”
        Lithograph by Nathaniel Currier
              Library of Congress (1843)

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

October 4, 2011


TRIP TO WASHINGTON: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

                   Library of Congress
          Photo by John White (2011)


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Our recent trip to Washington included a visit to the Library of Congress.  We accessed the “Thomas Jefferson Building” via the underground tunnel from the Capitol.  


This passageway, built in 2008, enables visitors to the Capitol to directly access the Library without having to go through security a 2nd time.


The Library of Congress, which has the largest amount of shelf space & # of books of any library in the world, was established in 1800.


The original Library was housed in the Capitol until 1814 when it was put to the torch by the British during the War of 1812.


Former President Thomas Jefferson offered his personal library as a replacement & Congress accepted his 6,487 books in 1815.

                       Jennifer White 
     Tours the Library of Congress
       Photo by John White (2011)

The Library of Congress website says:


“The Jefferson concept of universality, the belief that all subjects are important to the library & the American legislature, is the philosophy & rationale behind the comprehensive collection policies of today’s L of C.”


The cornerstone of the Thomas Jefferson (Library of Congress) Building was laid in 1890 & the last stone of the structure was put in place on July 7, 1894.


The Library opened to the public on November 1, 1897*


*The Library of Congress today includes a collection of 33 million books & print materials.

                    Library of Congress
           Photo by John White (2011)


October 4, 1957


SOVIETS LAUNCH FIRST MAN MADE SATELLITE

              “Dawn of the Space Age”
                   by Gregory R. Todd
                       October 4, 2007


Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) The Soviet Union announced today that they have launched Sputnik (which means “traveler” in English) the 1st artificial satellite to orbit the Earth.


Sputnik traveled at a speed of 18,000 miles per hour with each orbit taking 96.2 minutes to complete.


The designers, engineers & technicians of the satellite informed Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev 90 minutes after lift-off because they wanted to be certain of the success of the mission.


Soviet news agency TASS reported:


“As a result of great, intense work of scientific institutes & design bureaus, the 1st artificial satellite has been built.”*


*President Eisenhower was not surprised by the announcement of Sputnik but later he was surprised by the reaction of “shock” by the American people that the Soviets were so far ahead of us in the “space race.”


Sputnik completed 1,440 orbits before its service ended on Jan. 4, 1958.


October 4,1961


JFK APPOINTS ELECTION REFORM COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy appointed today a bipartisan 9 member commission to address presidential election reforms.


JFK wants the commission to recommend ways for presidential candidates to be less dependent on private campaign contributions.


The President said:


“I have long thought that we must either provide a federal share in campaign costs, or reduce the cost of campaign services, or both.”

October 4, 1962


FOREIGN TRADE BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Kennedy’s Foreign Trade Bill, which gives the President the power to negotiate tariff reductions, was passed by Congress today.


The legislation will enable the President to negotiate reductions in tariff rates up to 50%.


JFK believes the Foreign Trade Bill will improve the nation’s trade abroad as well as give a much needed boost to the economy at home.

WASHINGTON’S UNION STATION

October 3, 2011


TRIP TO WASHINGTON: UNION STATION

                        Union Station
                    Washington, D.C.
         Photo by John White (2011)


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) During our recent visit to the nation’s capital, we took the metro to Union Station located on Massachusetts Avenue NE, just a short walk to the Capitol.


Union Station, designed by architects Daniel Burnham & Pierce Anderson, opened on October 27, 1907.


Today the station, which houses 130 stores & a food court, is described as “the most visited destination in Washington, D.C.” 25 million people visit each year.

                     Lunch at Union Station
                          Washington, D.C.
                Photos by John White (2011)


Union Station serves Amtrak, MARC & the Virginia Railway Express as well as the Washington Metro System.  The station underwent renovation from 1981-1989.

        Train Schedules at Union Station
                          Washington, D.C.
               Photo by John White (2011)


October 3, 1962


WALLY SCHIRRA SPLASHES DOWN IN PACIFIC AFTER SIX ORBITS

                       Wally Schirra
                Gemini 6 Flight Test
            Cape Kennedy, Florida
                NASA Photo (1965)


Cape Canaveral, Florida (JFK+50) US astronaut Wally Schirra  (Sheer-rah) orbited the Earth 6 times today during a 10 hour flight & safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.


Once aboard the USS Kearsarge, Schirra received a call from President Kennedy.  He said to JFK:


“The spacecraft did everything I wanted it to do & I was able to accomplish everything I wanted…during the flight.”*


*Shirra is the only astronaut to fly on all 3 of our 1st space programs: Mercury, Gemini & Apollo.


October 3, 1967


WOODY GUTHRIE, GODFATHER OF FOLK MUSIC, DIES IN NEW YORK

                    Woody Guthrie
  Library of Congress Photo (1943)


Queens, New York (JFK+50) Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie, the godfather of 1950s folk music, died today at Creedmore Center here in Queens, New York.


The 55 year old singer-songwriter was under treatment of Huntington’s Disease, a progressive genetic neurological disorder.


Guthrie was born on July 14, 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma.


His most famous folk song, written in the 1940s, is “This Land Is Your Land”.


             “This land is your land
               This land is my land
               From California
               To the New York island
               From the redwood forest
               To the gulf stream waters
               This land was made 
               For you & me.”
    


The song was written in 1940 in response to Guthrie’s dislike for Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”.


Guthrie once said: “I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself & in your work.”*


*Bob Dylan was inspired by Woody Guthrie & visited him regularly during his long illness.


October 3, 1990


GERMANS CELEBRATE “UNITY DAY”


Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) The people of Germany are celebrating “Unity Day” today.  For the 1st time since it was divided at the end of WWII, Germany is one nation.


“Unity Day” is to be a national public holiday in Germany.


*2 months later, German elections will be held & Helmut Kohl will become the 1st chancellor of a unified Germany.

                    Unity Day Celebration
               At the Reichstag in Berlin
                         October 3, 1990
                  Photo by Peer Grimm
               German Federal Archive


October 3, 1952


BRITISH EXPLODE NUCLEAR BOMB

                 British Nuclear Blast 
                     October 3, 1952


Monte Bello Island, Australia (JFK+50) Great Britain became the 3rd nation to have nuclear capability today as it successfully exploded a nuclear bomb off the coast of Monte Bello Island off the northwest coast of Australia.


The Brits have been working on the atomic bomb project, named “Operation Hurricane”, since 1947.  


This particular bomb, rated at 25 kilatons, was detonated in the hull of the frigate HMS Plym.


October 3, 1942


GERMANS FIRE V-2 ROCKET

                 Replica of a V2 Rocket
                 Peenemunde Museum
            Photo by A Elfwine (2004)


Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) The Germans have successfully fired a V-2 rocket from Peenemunde, an island off Germany’s Baltic coast.


The V-2 traveled a distance of 118 miles.


Scientists have been working on development of the V2 since the 1930s.  The project was led by Wernher Von Braun.


The advantages of the V2 over the earlier V1 rocket is that it can be fired from a portable launch pad, can reach a speed of 4000 mph, & is virtually impossible to detect or intercept.*


*The 1st V2s were fired at Paris on September 6, 1944.  More than 3000 were launched during WWII resulting in thousands of deaths.  The rockets were built at Mittelwerk by prisoners of the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp.


Von Braun, a decorated Nazi war hero, was brought to the US after his surrender to work on US Army ballistic missiles.  He became director of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama on July 1, 1960.


 Von Braun was the chief architect of the Saturn V rocket which took American astronauts into space & to the moon.

                      Von Braun & JFK
                     Redstone Arsenal
                Huntsville, Alabama
                        May 19, 1963
                         NASA Photo

POLITICS & PROSE BOOKSTORE & COFFEE HOUSE

October 2, 2011


WASHINGTON TRIP: POLITICS & PROSE BOOKSTORE & COFFEE HOUSE

              Politics & Prose Bookstore
                     Washington, D.C.
            Photo by John White (2011)


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The main purpose of our recent trip to Washington, D.C. was to attend the book tour of Caroline Kennedy held at George Washington University.

            Caroline Kennedy Book Display
          In the Window of Politics & Prose
               Photo by John White (2011)


The event was sponsored by Politics & Prose Bookstore & Coffee House which is located at 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW.


We decided to go to the bookstore both to check it out as well as pick up Caroline’s book & CDs.  


We took the metro & then walked through the beautiful neighborhood to Politics & Prose.

         On Our Walk to Politics & Prose
               Along Connecticut Avenue
              Photo by John White (2011)


We found the bookstore astir with activity, as it usually must be, as a “book talk” was in progress.


The stated purpose of Politics & Prose is to “offer superior service & unusual book choices” as well as to “serve as a gathering place for people interested in reading & discussing books.”


The bookstore, which opened in 1984, hosts authors every night & won the “Bookstore of the Year Award” in 1999.


Politics & Prose is open Monday-Saturday 9 am – 10 pm & Sunday 10 am – 8 pm.


Check out their website at www.politics-prose.com

October 2, 1963


McNAMARA & TAYLOR RETURN FROM VIETNAM FACT-FINDING TRIP


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara & Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maxwell Taylor arrived back in Washington today to report to President Kennedy on their fact-finding trip to South Vietnam.


While the details of their report were not released, the White House issued the following statement:


“We will adhere to our policy of (assistance) to South Vietnam (in their battle against the Communists).”*


*It was not reported that McNamara & Taylor advised JFK to find an “exit strategy” for US forces in Southeast Asia.  


October 2, 1962


JFK SIGNS UN LOAN BILL


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed into law today here at the White House the United Nations Loan Bill.


The legislation will help the UN meet a financial crisis which was a result of the failure of some member nations to contribute to the peace-keeping forces in the Middle East & the Congo.


The bill provides up to $100 million in assistance.

           United Nations Headquarters
                          New York City
          Photo by Steve Cadman (2005)


October 2, 1951


CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY LEAVES FOR EUROPE


New York City (JFK+50) Congressman John F. Kennedy of the 11th District of Massachusetts departed Idlewild Airport here in New York today bound for a tour of Europe, the Near East & the Far East.


The purpose of the trip, which is being funded by the Congressman himself, is to study political, military & economic conditions in these areas.


Traveling with the Congressman is his brother Robert & sister Patricia.


October 2, 1919


PRESIDENT WILSON SUFFERS STROKE


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke today while attempting to recover from the collapse he experienced on an 8000 mile tour to promote the Versailles Treaty & League of Nations.

              Wilson on Speaking Tour


Mr. Wilson left Washington by train on September 3 & had traveled across the nation speaking at various stops from the rear platform of his railroad car.


Late last month, however, he collapsed from exhaustion in Pueblo, Colorado & was immediately sent back to the White House.


The White House is not providing any additional information on the President’s condition at this time.*


*The extent of the President’s condition was kept from the public & apparently the cabinet.  When he appeared at a meeting 6 months later, cabinet officers were stunned by his condition. 


 The stroke left him paralyzed on the left side & his vision was impaired.  


Edith Wilson, the 1st Lady, “unconstitutionally” acted as President of the United States on her husband’s behalf.


October 2, 1835


TEXAN REVOLT BEGINS AT GONZALES


Gonzales, Texas (JFK+50) Texans in revolt against the rule of General Santa Anna of Mexico crossed the Guadalupe River here in Gonzales last night & launched an attack on the Mexican Army this morning.


The Texans pulled along with them a single cannon & carried a homemade flag with a picture of the cannon & the words “Come & Take It”.


The Texan rebels forced the Mexican army to retreat back to San Antonio de Bexar.*


*Although not much of a battle, newspapers called it “the Lexington of Texas” & historians refer to it as the beginning of the Texas Revolution.

THE OLD STONE HOUSE

October 1, 2011


WASHINGTON TRIP: “THE OLD STONE HOUSE”

                     The Old Stone House
            Photo by John White (2011)


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) During our trip last weekend to Washington, D.C., we visited the “Old Stone House”, one of the oldest known buildings in the district.


The Old Stone House is described by the National Park Service as “a simple 18th century dwelling built & inhabited by common people.”


The house, completed in 1765, 10 years before the beginning of the American Revolution, is located at 3051 M Street NW in Georgetown.  


In 2003 when I last visited Georgetown, I took a break from walking from the Capitol to JFK’s home on N Street by walking up white wooden steps & sitting at the top of them. (The house itself was closed).

                   The Old Stone House
          Photo by John White (2003)


Last week, we found the steps had been removed but the house was open this time. The NPS sells books & historical items inside.*


*The Old Stone House was purchased by the federal government in 1953 for $90,000 in response to a local petition. 

Jennifer Outside The Old Stone House
         Photo by John White (2011)


October 1, 1962


23,000 TROOPS IN OXFORD RESTORE ORDER


Oxford, Mississippi (JFK+50) 23,000 US troops sent to the campus of the University of Mississippi by President Kennedy have restored order after riots broke out yesterday resulting in the deaths of 2 men.


The riots came in response to the attempted enrollment at the all white University of Mississippi by African American, James Meredith.


On September 13, a federal district court ruled that “Ole Miss” must admit Meredith, but Mississippi governor Ross Barnett ordered state police to ignore the order.


After Barnett was declared in contempt of court, Meredith was successfully admitted to the university with the assistance of US marshals.

                      James Meredith
        photo by Darrell Blakely (2007)


October 1, 1962


CARSON REPLACES PARR ON “TONIGHT SHOW”


New York City (JFK+50) Comedian Johnny Carson replaced Jack Parr today as host of NBC Television’s popular “Tonight Show”.


The “Tonight Show” began on radio in 1951 & was based in Los Angeles.  It was hosted by Steve Allen.


The show moved to television & to New York City where Jack Parr replaced Allen as host.*


*Johnny Carson would reign as the “king of late night television” for 30 years.

                   Johnny Carson in 1965
        NY World Telegram/Sun Photo 


October 1, 1961


THE BABE’S HOME RUN RECORD IS BROKEN

          Roger Maris Signs Baseball
              for the President (1962)
            http://www.baseball.wikia.com


New York City (JFK+50) Babe Ruth’s 34 year old single season home run record was broken in Yankee Stadium today by Roger Maris.


Maris hit his 61st home run against Boston Red Sox pitcher Tracy Stallard in the final game of the season.*


*A controversy developed because Ruth hit his 60 in 154 games while Maris hit his 61 in 162 games.  In 1991, MLB awarded Maris the record officially.

                Roger Maris Museum
                Fargo, North Dakota
            Photo by DaveZ28 (2010)


October 1, 1946


WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SENTENCES NAZIS


Nuremberg, Germany (JFK+50) The International War Crimes Tribunal here in Nuremberg sentenced 12 high-ranking officials of the Nazi regime today.


The Nazis include Hermann Goering & Joachim von Ribbentrop who received death sentences.


Adolf Hitler’s former deputy, Rudolf Hess, was given a life prison sentence.


The war crimes trial lasted 10 months & the prosecution included representatives of Britain, France, US & USSR.*


*10 of the Nazis were hanged but Goering committed suicide before he could be executed.

                     Nazis at Nuremberg 


October 1, 1934


JFK BEGINS SENIOR YEAR AT CHOATE SCHOOL


Wallingford, Connecticut (JFK+50) John F. Kennedy began his Sixth Form or Senior year at the Choate School here in Wallingford, Connecticut today.


Kennedy is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.


The younger Kennedy is registered for English, French, History, Physics & Public Speaking.

             JFK with “Mucker’s Club” Pals
                      Choate School (1934)

3307 N STREET, GEORGETOWN

September 30, 2011


TRIP TO WASHINGTON:  3307 N STREET, GEORGETOWN


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) During our trip to the nation’s capital this past weekend, we walked to the townhouse which once belonged to Mr. & Mrs. John F. Kennedy at 3307 N Street in Georgetown.

                         3307 N Street
                          Georgetown
            Photo by John White (2011)


The Federal style townhouse, built in 1812, is just a short walk up the street from Billy Martin’s Tavern.


The home was purchased in 1957 as a gift by Senator Kennedy after his wife, Jacqueline, gave birth to their daughter, Caroline.

           Jennifer White at 3307 N Street
                Photo by John White (2011)


The Kennedys moved into their new home in January 1958.


After JFK was elected President in November 1960, the front porch became the focal point for reporters & their cameras as JFK would appear to make announcements of his cabinet appointments.

                          3307 N Street 
                           Front Porch
            Photo by John White (2011)


On the morning of January 20, 1961, the President-elect & his wife emerged from the door of 3307 N Street to begin their motorcade to the White House for coffee with the Eisenhowers & from there to the Capitol & the inauguration.*

                    Mrs. Kennedy & JFK 
                          3307 N. Street
                      January 20, 1961


*The townhouse was sold in 1961 & remained in private hands over the years.  I first visited the home in 2003 when it was obvious someone was living there. This past weekend, however, it was difficult to tell if the home is occupied still.


I have read that some of the recent owners experienced rude behavior on the part of some tourists who brought flashlights to look in their windows or even jumped over the fence into the back yard.

                     Sidewalk in Front of
                           3307 N Street
             Photo by John White (2011)


September 30, 1962


JFK SPEAKS TO THE NATION ON RIOTS AT OLE MISS 


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation tonight from the oval office by radio & television on the developing crisis at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.


JFK explained that it was necessary for him to federalize the Mississippi National Guard in order to restore order after riots broke out in opposition to the admittance of James Meredith, an African-American, to the state university.*


The President asked the people of Mississippi to accept Meredith’s admission peacefully.


He said:


“The eyes of the nation & all the world are upon you & upon all of us, and the honor of your university & state are in the balance.”


JFK also said that the state of Mississippi should not be singled out for blame.


He said:


“Neither Mississippi nor any other southern state deserves to be charged with all the accumulated wrongs of the last 100 years of race relations.  The responsibility….must be shared by us all.”**


*2 men died in the riots:  Paul Guihard, a French journalist & Ray Gunter, a jukebox repairman.


**James Meredith was escorted by US marshals & was successfully admitted to Ole Miss.  He graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1963.

     US Marshall James McShane,
                James Meredith
    & John Doar of the Justice Dept.
         Ole Miss Campus  (1962)


September 30, 1955


JAMES DEAN DIES IN HEAD-ON CAR CRASH


Cholame, California (JFK+50) Teen idol & motion picture star, James Dean, was killed late this afternoon when his Porsche 550 Spyder was involved in a head on collision near Cholame, California.


Dean was pronounced “DOA” at Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital. 


Dean’s passenger survived the accident & the driver of the other vehicle, Donald Turnaspeed, escaped with minor injuries.


James Dean, a fan favorite of teenagers, appeared in “East of Eden” & “Rebel Without A Cause”. 


Dean was 24 years old.

             Julie Harris & James Dean
                        in “East of Eden”


September 30, 1927


BABE RUTH BREAKS HOME RUN RECORD


New York City (JFK+50) Yankee Stadium, “The House That Ruth Built”, was the scene today of baseball history as Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run of the 1927 season setting the major league record for most home runs in a single season.


The Babe hit a pitch from left-hander Tom Zachary of the Washington Senators high into the right field bleachers.*


*Babe Ruth’s 60 home run record would stand for 34 until broken by Roger Maris of the Yankees who hit 61 home runs in 1961.

              George Herman “Babe” Ruth
        Photo by Irwin, La Broad & Pudlin
                 Library of Congress (1920)