STATE DINNER HELD AT MOUNT VERNON FOR PRESIDENT KHAN OF PAKISTAN
President & Mrs. John F. Kennedy gave a state dinner on the lawn of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate this evening for the visiting President of Pakistan, Mohammed Ayub Khan & his wife.
The 135 dinner guests were transported to the estate on 4 yachts which sailed down the Potomac River from Washington.
The dinner was held in a tent decorated by Tiffany's of New York.
In a toast to President Khan, JFK said:
"We recognize in you a leader who recognizes that the independence of his own country is not enough, that there is a link which binds your country & ours all the way across the globe."*
*Khan served as Pakistan's president from 1958 to 1969.
JFK, Mrs. Khan, Jackie, President Khan
Mount Vernon, Virginia
July 11, 1961
JFK Library Photo
July 11, 1961
JFK HONORS SENATOR GEORGE W. NORRIS
President Kennedy took part in a ceremony today honoring the 100th birthday of the late Nebraska senator, George W. Norris.
Norris was instrumental in the development of the Tennessee Valley Authority during the 1930s.
JFK joined in honoring Norris with TVA's Board of Directors & congressmen from districts in the Tennessee Valley area.*
Congressman Rankin & Senator Norris
FDR Signs Rural Electrification Act
May 11, 1935
*Norris Dam, located on the Clinch River in Anderson & Campbell Counties in East Tennessee & opened in 1936, was named for Senator George W. Norris.
Norris Dam
Norris, Tennessee
July 11, 1962
JFK TO GIVE BUSINESS A TAX BREAK
In hopes of giving a boost to the economy, the Kennedy administration today announced the federal depreciation schedules will be revised to allow businesses to deduct the costs of equipment & machinery at a faster rate.
The revisions are to take place immediately.
JFK said:
"By encouraging business to replace its machinery more rapidly, we hope to make American products more cost competitive, step up our rate of recovery & growth, & provide expanded job opportunities for all American workers."
July 11, 1962
JFK SPEAKS TO VISITING FOREIGN STUDENTS
President Kennedy today spoke to 2000 students from Western Europe, Asia, Australia & other countries on the South Lawn of the White House.
JFK spoke of the responsibility of the United States to the world after a long tradition of isolation.*
*JFK joked with the British students about their "forebears burning the White House".
July 11, 1995
US & VIETNAM OPEN FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONSHIP 20 YEARS AFTER WAR'S END
President William Jefferson Clinton today established a full diplomatic relationship with Vietnam.
It has been 20 years since the Vietnam War ended with the country unified under a Communist government.
Last year President Clinton lifted the 19 year trade embargo with Vietnam.
Mr. Clinton is supported in his decision to establish the diplomatic relationship with Vietnam by Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, himself a 5 year POW in Hanoi during the war.*
*In November 2000, President Clinton will become the 1st President to visit Vietnam since Nixon's 1969 visit.
President Bill Clinton
Hanoi National University
www.usvtc.org
July 11, 1945
SOVIETS GIVE UP CONTROL OF WEST BERLIN
Abiding by agreements worked out during WWII conferences, the Soviet Union today relinquished both military & civilian control of West Berlin.
By the agreements, the American & British governments will share control of West Berlin.
The former Nazi capital had been under Soviet control from the time of Berlin's fall.*
*The US & British will later give up part of their "zones of occupation" to France.
Germany Divided After WWII
Map by Broadbeer
July 11, 1914
BABE RUTH MAKES MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT
George Herman "Babe" Ruth made his major league debut today pitching for the Boston Red Sox.
The Babe gave up 5 hits over his 1st 6 innings before being relieved in the 7th.
The Red Sox won by a score of 4 to 3 & the Babe got the win.*
*Babe Ruth's career pitching record for the Red Sox would be 89-46.
Babe Ruth Signs an Autograph
1937 All-Star Game
Harris & Ewing Photo
Library of Congress
July 11, 1804
ALEXANDER HAMILTON SHOT IN DUEL WITH AARON BURR
The long political feud between Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton & Vice-President Aaron Burr was settled today on the "field of honor".
Hamilton, whose 1st shot missed high, was shot in the abdomen by Burr. Doctors believe the bullet has lodged near the spine.
The former Treasury Secretary was carried from the field in critical condition.
The duel was fought at 7 this morning in Weehawken, New Jersey.*
*Hamilton, who disapproved of dueling & apparently intentionally fired high, died the next day at 2 p.m. His remains were interred in the Trinity Churchyard Cemetery in Manhattan.
Hamilton & Burr Duel
