JFK SIGNS AGRICULTURE ACT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed legislation today which is designed to help American farmers by reducing surpluses of farm products which drive down their profits.
The Agriculture Act of 1961 was signed by JFK with Orville Freeman, his Secretary of Agriculture, looking on.
Midwestern farmers have been particularly hurt by overproduction of wheat & the resulting lower prices for their product.
Under the law, the federal government will buy the surplus & sell or donate it to other countries.
The act also gives the Agriculture Department greater authority to make loans to small farmers & to those hurt by natural disasters.
JFK said at the signing ceremony:
"This is a major step toward a sound agricultural economy & a better life for the farmers of this country."
Orville L. Freeman
Secretary of Agriculture
1961-1969
JFK Library Photo
August 8, 1963
JFK MEETS WITH DOCTORS IN BOSTON ON THE CONDITION OF BABY
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) A very concerned President John F. Kennedy conferred with doctors here at Children's Hospital today about the condition of his newly born son, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy.
The baby was born 5 & 1/2 weeks premature yesterday at the Otis Air Force Base Hospital where Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy was rushed by helicopter.
JFK has decided to spend the night at the hospital.
Boston's Children's Hospital Logo
www.childrenshospital.org
August 8, 1974
NIXON WILL RESIGN PRESIDENCY TOMORROW
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The 37th President of the United States, Richard Milhous Nixon, announced tonight on national television that he will resign tomorrow morning.
The President said:
"By taking this action, I hope I will have hastened the start of the process of healing which is so desperately needed in America."
Mr. Nixon will become the 1st President in US History to resign.
The resignation comes as a result of the so-called "Watergate" scandal which has tarnished Mr. Nixon's 2nd term.
The scandal began with the break-in of the Democratic National Committee Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel complex on June 17, 1972 by members of Nixon's "Committee to Re-elect the President" or CREEP.
The scandal was exposed by a congressional investigation conducted by the Senate Select Committee on Watergate.
The Select Committee's hearings, televised nationally, led to the adoption of 3 articles of impeachment by the House Judicial Committee.
Nixon Announces Resignation on TV
August 8, 1964
August 8, 1945
2nd ATOMIC BOMB dropped on NAGASAKI
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Just 2 days after the 1st atomic bomb in world history was dropped by the United States on Hiroshima, Japan, a 2nd atomic bomb was dropped today on Nagasaki.
Nagasaki, located in Southern Japan, is one of the nation's largest seaports with major industrial production of war material.
The bomb detonated 1,540 feet above the city at 11:01 a.m. local time.
The bomb was dropped from Bockscar, a B-29 Superfortress commanded by Major Charles W. Sweeney.
Bockscar & Crew
Estimates are that between 60,000 to 75,000 people were killed by the bomb.
Nagasaki 6 Weeks After the Bombing
September 24, 1945
Photograph by
Cpl. Lynn P. Walker, Jr. (USMC)
Panorama of Nagasaki Monument
At the Hypocenter of the Blast
Photo by Dean S. Pemberton (2008)
August 8, 1945
TRUMAN SIGNS UNITED NATIONS CHARTER
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The United States of America officially became a member of the United Nations today with the signature of President Harry S Truman.
The signing ceremony was done with little fanfare with Secretary of State James Byrnes looking on.
Truman Signs UN Charter
