JEFFERSON MEMORIAL DEDICATED
On the anniversary of the birth of the author of the Declaration of Independence & the nation's 3rd president, the Jefferson Memorial was dedicated today in Washington, D.C.
The impressive memorial was designed by architect John Russell Pope who also designed the National Archives Building.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who laid the memorial's cornerstone in 1939, gave the dedication speech today.
FDR concluded with the words:
"The words which we have chosen for this memorial speak Jefferson's noblest & most urgent meaning & we are proud indeed to understand & share it:
'I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man'".
Jefferson Memorial
Photo by John White (2007)
April 13, 1953
CIA LAUNCHES "MKULTRA"
Central Intelligence Agency Director, Allen Dulles, launched "MKULTRA" on this date.
The top secret "mind control" program, to be run by the Office of Scientific Intelligence, was not to be made public until 1975.
MKULTRA made use of American & Canadian citizens as test subjects & who were administered a variety of mind control techniques including the use of drugs, sensory deprivation, isolation & verbal & sexual abuse.
Senator Ted Kennedy said in 1977 that more than 30 universities & institutions were involved in testing & experimentation on unwitting citizens "at all social levels, high & low, native Americans & foreign."
In 1973, CIA Director Richard Helms ordered all MKULTRA files destroyed but about 20,000 of them accidentally survived.
Today all remaining MKULTRA files are declassified.
Declassified "MKULTRA" file
April 13, 1974
WESTERN UNION LAUNCHES WESTAR I
Western Union, in collaboration with NASA & Hughes Aircraft, launched today the United States' 1st commercial geosynchronous communication satellite, "Westar I".
The Westar I follows Canada's "Anik Alin" which was launched in 1972.
The satellite is to be used by Western Union for its own internal communications such as sending telegrams & mailgrams to WU bureaus.*
*Westar I was followed by 6 more "Westar" communications satellites. Westar I was retired from service in 1983.
Astronaut Dale Gardner installs a control device on Westar 6
April 13, 1961
ADENAUER & KENNEDY CONCLUDE TALKS
German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer & President John F. Kennedy concluded 2 days of discussions today.
Their meetings ended with a pledge to strengthen military & economic cooperation between West Germany & the United States.
JFK & Adenauer at JFK's Desk
April 13, 1796
FIRST ELEPHANT ARRIVES IN AMERICA
Captain Jacob Crowninshield of the ship "America" arrived in New York City today with the 1st elephant to ever be seen in America.
Captain Crowninshield purchased the 2 year old female pachyderm in India for $450 & reportedly has plans to sell her for several thousand dollars.
April 13, 1742
"MESSIAH" MAKES WORLD PREMIERE IN DUBLIN
George Frideric Handel's oratorio, "Messiah", made its world premiere today in Dublin, Ireland.
The idea for the piece came from a friend of Handel's who is a devout Christian. He suggested to Handel such a piece should be performed in a theater rather than a church to remind people of their faith.
Handel completed "Messiah" in just 24 days.*
*Beethoven once called Handel "the greatest composer that ever lived".
