JFK WELCOMES IVORY COAST PRESIDENT
President & Mrs. Kennedy welcomed Felix Houphouet-Boigny, President of the Ivory Coast, & his wife, Marie-Theresa Houphouet-Boigny, to the White House today.
The Ivory Coast is a pro-Western African nation which receives a substantial amount of economic aid from France.*
*From the 1940s until his death in 1993, "Papa Houphouet" played a leading role in the decolonization of Africa as well as his nation's government. He was the "longest-serving leader in African history".
President & Mrs. Houphouet-Boigny
with Mrs. Kennedy & JFK
Photo by Robert Knudsen
May 22, 1961
JFK PROPOSES PEACE CORPS INITIATIVE
President John F. Kennedy, after a short meeting with former 1st Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, went to the Cabinet Room at the White House to announce a new Peace Corps initiative.
The President announced before the National Advisory Council that the Peace Corps will send 300 volunteers to serve as teaching assistants in the Philippine Islands.
May 22, 1963
JFK SAYS GUANTANAMO WILL NOT CLOSE
President Kennedy, in response to charges from political opponents that he plans to withdraw from Cuba, told reporters today he has no intention of abandoning our naval base at Guantanamo.
JFK said:
"Abandoning Guantanamo has never been considered."
May 22, 1964
RUSK SAYS NORTH VIETNAMESE ARE AGGRESSORS
Secretary of State Dean Rusk, speaking today at the American Law Institute, said the North Vietnamese are the aggressors in South Vietnam.
The Secretary emphasized:
"There is a simple prescription for peace---leave your neighbors alone."
May 22, 1972
NIXON ARRIVES IN MOSCOW FOR TALKS
President Richard M. Nixon arrived today in Moscow for talks with Soviet premier Leonid Brezhnev.
While this is not Mr. Nixon's first visit to the Soviet Union, it is his 1st as President of the United States.
The two leaders of the world's superpowers will discuss many issues including a joint venture in space as well as nuclear arms control.
Brezhnev & Nixon with interpreter
May 22, 1977
PRESIDENT CARTER SPEAKS AT NOTRE DAME
President Jimmy Carter, after just 4 months in office, gave a commencement address today at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.
The President noted recent successes in India, Greece & Spain in bringing about democratic governments.
President Carter said:
"We are now free of that inordinate fear of communism which led us to embrace any dictator who joined us in our fear."
The President took the opportunity to speak about a new policy.
He said what is needed now...
"is a policy based on constant decency in its values & an optimism in our historic vision."
President Carter at Notre Dame
photo from www.spectator.org
May 22, 1944
HONEY FITZ WITHDRAWS FROM SENATE RACE
Former mayor of Boston & Massachusetts congressman John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald has announced his withdrawal today from the race for nomination of the Democratic Party for US Senate.
Less than a dozen candidates remain in the race at this time.
"Honey Fitz" with Joe & Jack Kennedy
Library of Congress photo by Hy Peskin
May 22, 1856
CHARLES SUMNER BEATEN ON SENATE FLOOR
Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner, just days after giving a speech attacking both the institution of slavery & South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler, was severely beaten today as he sat at his desk on the floor of the senate.
During a break between sessions, Sumner was busy writing at his desk when Congressman Preston Brooks, a cousin of Senator Butler's, came into the chamber carrying a wooden cane.
Brooks, with only a few bystanders looking on, proceeded to beat Sumner over the head & shoulders with the cane.
Sumner attempted to get up from his desk but could not do so because it was bolted to the floor.*
*Although Sumner would eventually recover, he was unable to return to the senate for 3 years.
Brooks became an instant Southern hero & received many new canes in the mail, one with the inscription "Hit Him Again!"
May 22, 1802
LADY WASHINGTON* DIES AT MOUNT VERNON
The wife of George Washington, Martha, died today at the age of 70 at her home at Mount Vernon, Virginia just 2 1/2 years after the passing of the 1st President of the United States.
George & Martha Washington were married in 1759. He was a colonel in the Virginia militia & she was the wealthy widow of a socially prominent family.
*"First Lady" was not is use at the time as the term to identify the wife of the President. Martha was known as "Lady Washington".
Martha Washington
As the wife of the President, Martha Washington believed her primary role was to take care of her husband.*
Martha will be buried next to her husband at Mount Vernon.
*Jacqueline Kennedy had much the same belief, but she added "to take care of my husband & children".
