JFK GREETS BOYS NATION AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy greeted delegates to the "Boys Nation" convention today at the White House.
Boys Nation is a program sponsored by the American Legion.
Two delegates are selected from each of 49 states. (Hawaii does not participate).
The delegates have just completed their junior year of high school.*
*One of the two delegates from the state of Arkansas was future president William Jefferson Clinton who had his picture made shaking hands with JFK.
Bill Clinton Shaking Hands with JFK
The White House Rose Garden
July 24, 1963
July 24, 1963
CASTRO SEIZES US EMBASSY BUILDING IN CUBA
Havana, Cuba (JFK+50) Fidel Castro ordered the seizure of the American Embassy building here today in response to the freezing of Cuban assets in the United States.
The US Embassy, located on Malecon Drive in Havana, has been occupied by the Swiss since the US broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961.
Castro wants the Swiss to evacuate the property.
Embassy of Switzerland
US Interests Section
Havana, Cuba (2007)
July 24, 1962
JFK CALLS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy today called for equal rights for women.
The President gave the order that discrimination against women in employment & promotion be eliminated in the executive departments.
JFK said:
"I intend that the federal career service be maintained without discrimination & with equal opportunity for employment & advancement."
July 24, 1959
KHRUSHCHEV & NIXON DEBATE IN THE KITCHEN
Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) Premier Nikita Khrushchev of the Soviet Union & Vice President Richard Nixon of the United States squared off in a heated debate today at the American National Exhibition here in Moscow.
The Vice-President told Premier Khrushchev that he "should not be afraid of ideas" while Khrushchev responded to Nixon, "you don't know anything about communism except fear of it."*
*The discussion on the merits of communism versus capitalism was held in the kitchen of a model home built for the expedition thus the name "Kitchen Debate".
Khrushchev & Nixon
Kitchen Debate
July 24, 1959
July 24, 1969
APOLLO 11 RETURNS SAFELY TO THE EARTH
Honolulu, Hawaii (JFK+50) When President John F. Kennedy announced in 1961 the US would land a man on the moon "in this decade", he also added "& return him safely to the earth."
Today, the 2nd part of the goal was accomplished as the crew of Apollo 11 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.
The Columbia spacecraft was retrieved & the crew brought safely aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet.
The crew was immediately placed in a "Mobile Quarantine Facility" where they are to remain for 5 days.*
*There was concern at the time about the astronauts bringing back germs from the moon. Today the USS Hornet is a museum in Alameda, California.
Apollo 11's Columbia Spacecraft
After Splashdown
July 24, 1987
JENNIFER LEIGH WHITE BORN AT FT. SANDERS
Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Mr. & Mrs. John White announced today the birth of their daughter, Jennifer Leigh White at Fort Sanders Presbyterian Hospital here in the city.*
*Jennifer celebrated her 24th birthday today. We are very proud of her. She is a graduate of East Tennessee State University & is the current Miss Historic Jonesborough 2011.
Jennifer Leigh White
Miss Historic Jonesborough 2011
Signing Autographs in Jackson, TN
Photo by John White (2011)
July 24, 1911
MACHU PICCHU DISCOVERED IN PERU
Cuzco, Peru (JFK+50) American archaeologist Hiram Bingham has discovered the ancient Inca settlement Machu Picchu northwest of Cuzco in Peru.
The name of the Incan city means "Old Peak" in the native Quechua language.
The site stretches for 5 miles & has over 3000 stone steps.*
Machu Picchu
Photo by Martin St-Amant (2009)
July 24, 1847
BRIGHAM YOUNG LEADS MORMONS TO UTAH
Salt Lake, Utah (JFK+50) Brigham Young led 148 Mormon pioneers into the Great Salt Lake Valley of Utah today after 17 months of travel.
Young led his people west seeking "a place on this earth nobody else wants."*
*Young & his people begin to build Salt Lake City at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains.
Brigham Young
Photo by Charles William Carter
1866-1867
July 24, 1567
MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS FORCED TO ABDICATE
Loch Leven, Scotland (JFK+50) Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate here today where she has been imprisoned.
Mary married her lover, the Earl of Bothwell who was a suspect in the death of Mary's 1st husband, Lord James Darnley, whom she had married to reinforce her claim to the English throne.*
*In 1587 Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded for treason & her son, King James VI of Scotland became King in 1603.
Mary Queen of Scots & Lord Darnley
