JFK HOLDS 52nd NEWS CONFERENCE
Just back from his trip to Costa Rica, President Kennedy met with reporters in the State Department Auditorium this afternoon at 6 o'clock.
JFK made this introductory statement:
"For the 1st time a President of the United States (has) journeyed to Central America & conferred with all of the leaders of this vital area which (is) as closely allied with the U.S. as any area in the world."
"This is the 4th Latin American country which I have visited. Here, as in all the others, we found an....outpouring of....affection for the United States."
JFK News Conference
Later in the news conference, a reporter asked this question:
"Mr. President. Senator Case has proposed that a watchdog committee be created to look into these....."
JFK interrupted the question by saying:
"To watch the Congressmen & Senators? Well, that will be fine if they feel they should be watched."
March 21, 1963
ALCATRAZ CLOSES
Alcatraz prison transferred its last prisoners today & officially closed its doors in San Francisco Bay.
On a 12 acre rocky island in the bay, Alcatraz had the most advanced security of its time & at its peak held as many as 200 prisoners.
The prison has also had a reputation for harsh conditions as well as being "inescapable".
Alcatraz
March 21, 1965
CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH BEGINS IN SELMA
Supported by US Army troops & a federalized Alabama National Guard, 3200 people led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. set off today from Selma for the state capital in Montgomery.
The purpose of the march is to attain African-American voting rights.
Selma was selected by civil rights activists as the place to begin the march because of the city's resistance to registering black voters & the fact that only 2% of the city's black residents are registered to vote.
The marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge & headed down Highway 80.
Dr. King & Rev. Abernathy in Selma
March 21, 1952
MOONDOG CORONATION BALL HELD IN CLEVELAND
The world's 1st "rock-n-roll" concert was held tonight in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Moondog Coronation Ball, hosted by legendary disk jockey Alan Freed, was held in the 10,000 seat Cleveland Arena.
A major problem developed, however, when 20,000 rock-n-roll fans showed up for the concert.
