RFK PROPOSES VIETNAM PEACE PLAN
Senator Robert F. Kennedy (D) New York proposed a 3 point plan to end the war in Vietnam today.
His plan calls for the suspension of bombing of North Vietnam & the gradual withdrawal of both US & NV troops & their replacement by an international military force.
Secretary of State Dean Rusk, who was appointed by RFK's brother, JFK, says that the plan cannot be accepted because the administration believes North Vietnam will never agree to withdraw their troops from the south.*
*After LBJ announced his decision not to run for "another term as your president", RFK sought the Democratic nomination for president in 1968.
March 2, 1965
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER BEGINS
The United States began Operation Rolling Thunder today with more than 100 USAF jets bombing an ammunition depot at Xom Bang, North Vietnam.
At the same time, the SVAF bombed the Quang Khe naval base.
USAF Captain Hayden J. Lockhart, flying an F100, was shot down & became the 1st American POW taken by the North Vietnamese.*
*From 1965 through 1968, 643,000 tons of bombs were dropped on North Vietnam.
March 2, 1962
WILT THE STILT SCORES 100 POINTS IN 1 GAME
Wilt Chamberlain, 7'1" center for the Philadelphia Warriors professional basketball team, scored 100 points today in a game against the New York Knicks.
Chamberlain already had the record of 78 points in one game which he set earlier this year.*
*Wilt Chamberlain, born in Philadelphia, averaged 50 points & 25 rebounds a game in the 1961-62 season. He was named to the Hall of Fame in 1978. He died in 1999 at the age of 63.
March 2, 1929
JONES ACT STRENGTHENS PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT
The Congress of the United States passed the Jones Act today which will strengthen federal penalties for bootlegging.
Since prohibition went into effect in 1920 by the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, enforcement of the provision banning the consumption of drinking alcohol has been difficult if not impossible.*
*The 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933 & prohibition became history as a failure.
March 2, 1807
IMPORTATION OF SLAVES PROHIBITED
The US Congress today passed an act which will "prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States..."
The 1st slaves had arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619.
The law passed today does not make the slave trade within the United States illegal & children of slaves still automatically become slaves themselves.*
*Great Britain also banned the African slave trade in 1807.
