JFK HAPPY WITH STEEL CONTRACT

March 31, 1962


JFK HAPPY WITH STEEL CONTRACT


President Kennedy, having assisted in the negotiations between the steel industry & the Steelworkers of America, was pleased to learn an agreement was reached today on a new contract.


JFK is hoping to avoid a repeat of the 1959-1960 steel strike which hurt the economy.


The President phoned leaders of both sides to offer his congratulations on the agreement.


The new contract will provide a 3% pay increase for workers which should not have an adverse effect on the economy.


JFK said:


“I am sure the nation will agree with me that the most notable aspect of this settlement is that it demonstrates the national interest can be protected & in the interest of industry & the employees forwarded through…..responsible collective bargaining.”

March 31, 1968


LBJ WILL NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM


President Lyndon B. Johnson shocked everyone this evening with his announcement at the end of his televised address on the situation in Vietnam by saying:


“I shall not seek & I will not accept the nomination of my party for another term as your President.”


Up until the statement, LBJ had discussed Vietnam.  He announced a partial bombing halt of the North & said that he would be sending 13,500 additional troops.


Mr. Johnson has come under increasing criticism for his Vietnam War policies.

         LBJ Addresses the Nation on TV


March 31, 1943


MUSICAL “OKLAHOMA” PREMIERS ON BROADWAY


The new musical, “Oklahoma”, produced by Richard Rogers & Oscar Hammerstein II, premiers on Broadway today.


The show’s choreographer, Agnes DeMille, said the opening number ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ “produced a sigh from the entire house that I don’t think I’ve ever heard in the theater.”


Joan Roberts, who plays the lead female role “Laurie” in the performance, said:  “The applause was so deafening & it continued & continued.”*

*”Oklahoma” went on to a record 2,212 performances before closing after 15 years on Broadway.


My daughter, Jennifer, who had performed in many local plays at the Oak Ridge Playhouse, got her 1st lead role as “Laurie” in South Doyle High School’s production of “Oklahoma” in 2004.

Seth Maples (Curly) & Jennifer White (Laurie)
South Doyle High’s Production of “Oklahoma” 
John Maples, Director


Photo by John White (2004)

March 31, 1889


THE EIFFEL TOWER IS DEDICATED IN PARIS


The Eiffel Tower was dedicated today in Paris, France in a ceremony presided over by its creator Gustave Eiffel.  The Prime Minister of France, Pierre Tirard, also participated in the dedication.


The tower, the world’s tallest man made structure, is 984 feet tall.


As the tower’s elevators were not yet completed, Mr. Eiffel & some other hardy souls took the stairs to the top where they raised a huge French Tricolor on the tower’s flagpole. 

  Eiffel Tower Under Construction (1878)