JFK ANNOUNCES TEST BAN AGREEMENT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy announced today that an agreement has been reached in Moscow on a nuclear test ban treaty.
The President, speaking to a national television audience tonight, said:
"Yesterday a shaft of light cut into the darkness. Negotiations were concluded in Moscow on a treaty that will ban all nuclear tests in the air, outer space & under water."*
This treaty, negotiated by representatives of Great Britain, US & USSR, will accomplish a major goal of the Kennedy administration.
The President concluded with these words:
"Let us...step back from the shadows of war & seek out the way of peace. And if that journey is a thousand miles, let history record, that we, in this land, at this time, took the 1st step."
*Although the treaty was "limited" in that nuclear testing underground was not banned, JFK considered it his "greatest achievement" as President.
JFK Announces Test Ban Agreement
July 26, 1963
JFK Library Photo
July 26, 1962
JFK SIGNS WELFARE-REFORM ACT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed into law today a welfare-reform bill that will assist more than 7 million Americans that are now on the relief rolls.
The measure stresses services, rehabilitation & training for useful work.
JFK said:
"Our objective is to prevent or reduce dependence & to encourage self-support."
Seal of the Dept. of Human Services
Formerly the Dept. of Health,
Education & Welfare (HEW)
July 26, 1947
NATIONAL SECURITY ACT SIGNED BY TRUMAN
Sacred Cow (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 today on board the Presidential airplane, Sacred Cow.
The act will restructure the US armed forces, foreign policy & the intelligence community.
NSA merges the Departments of War & the Navy under the Department of Defense.
The act also establishes the National Security Council to coordinate national security policy in the executive branch & creates the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The bill was signed by the President aboard Sacred Cow which is the 1st aircraft to be designated Air Force One.
Sacred Cow
October 17, 1961
July 26, 1945
CHURCHILL STEPS DOWN AS PRIME MINISTER
London, England (JFK+50) Winston Churchill, who led his nation through the darkest days of WWII, was forced to resign as Prime Minister here today.
Churchill's Conservative Party was defeated by the Labour Party.
Clement Attlee was also sworn in today as the new Prime Minister.*
*2 years later Churchill will reclaim the office of PM & serve until 1955.
Statue of Sir Winston Churchill
Parliament Square, London
Photo by Ziko (2004)
July 26, 1908
NEW FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS REPORT TO DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) US Attorney General Charles Bonaparte today ordered a group of newly hired federal investigators to report to the Office of Chief Examiner in the Department of Justice.*
*A year later the Office of Chief Examiner is renamed the "Bureau of Investigation". In 1935, the BI became the "Federal Bureau of Investigation" or FBI.
J. Edgar Hoover joined the Department of Justice in 1917 & within 2 years became Special Assistant to the Attorney General. Hoover was appointed Director of the Bureau in 1924 & held that position until his death in 1972.
FBI Badge & Gun
FBI Photo
