JFK SPEAKS TO AFL-CIO CONVENTION IN OREGON
Seaside, Oregon (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy, Democratic nominee for President of the United States, spoke to the Oregon State Convention of the AFL-CIO today.
The Senator said his labor reform bill intends to strike at "racketeers" but not to do harm to honest union members.
JFK also called for an increase in the minimum wage & increased health & social security benefits for senior citizens.
August 4, 1961
JFK CONGRATULATES US COAST GUARD
Hyannisport, Massachusetts (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, upon arrival here for the weekend, sent a congratulatory message to Admiral Alfred C. Richmond on the 171st birthday of the United States Coast Guard.
Admiral Alfred C. Richmond
United States Coast Guard
August 4, 1964
BODIES OF SLAIN CIVIL RIGHTS WORKERS FOUND IN MISSISSIPPI
Philadelphia, Mississippi (JFK+50) The bodies of the 3 missing civil rights workers were found here today buried in an earthen dam.
The three have been identified as: James Chaney, Andrew Goodman & Michael Schwerner.
They were reportedly on their way by car to investigate the burning of a church in Neshoba, Mississippi when they were stopped & arrested.
Seven hours later, after their release, they disappeared.*
*The 3 young men were shot to death by members of the Mississippi Ku Klux Klan.
Memorial Stained Glass Window
Sage Chapel, Cornell University
Photo by Cornellrockey04 (2008)
August 4, 1953
IKE SAYS SITUATION IN ASIA IS "OMINOUS"
Seattle, Washington (JFK+50) President Dwight D. Eisenhower, speaking before the Governors Conference here today, says the current situation in Asia is "ominous for the United States".
Ike also said that the defense of French Indochina is a necessity to prevent a communist takeover.
*This speech marked the origin of the "Domino Theory" which said that if one nation in SE Asia fell to the communists, all the nations would follow (like a set of dominoes).
August 4, 1944
FRANK FAMILY ARRESTED IN HOLLAND
Amsterdam, Holland (JFK+50) The family of Otto Frank, including his daughters Anne & Margot, who have been in hiding here in German-occupied Holland, was arrested today by the Gestapo.
The latest reports indicate the family will be transported within the next several weeks to Auschwitz in Poland.*
*Anne kept a diary that was found & published after her death by her father who survived the Holocaust.
Memorial to Anne & Margot Frank
Bergen-Belsen, Germany
Photo by Arne List (2003)
August 4, 1943
PT109 SURVIVORS LEAVE PLUM PUDDING
Plum Pudding Island, South Pacific (JFK+50) After having made a long swim from the wreckage of the PT109, Lt. Kennedy & his surviving crew left Plum Pudding Island today.
Running out of meat & coconut milk, Lt. Kennedy ordered his crew to swim to an island closer to Ferguson Passage in hopes of being rescued.
They began their swim at noon with JFK again towing the badly burned "Pappy" McMahon.
The PT109 survivors arrived at an islet west of Cross Island at 3 p.m.*
*The water in Ferguson Passage was too cold that evening for anyone to attempt to swim out to seek help.
Adult PT109 Tee Shirt
For Sale at the Kennedy Library
$19.95 (2011)
August 4, 1936
JESSE OWENS WINS OLYMPIC LONG JUMP
Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) African-American athlete Jessie Owens won a gold medal here today at the Summer Olympic Games.
Owens, a graduate of Ohio State University, won the long jump.
His jump of 26 feet, 5 and one-half inches sets an Olympic record.*
*Jesse Owens, known as "the Buckeye Bullet", had set a record that was to stand for 24 years. In college, he won 8 individual NCAA championships.
Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama & died in Tuscon, Arizona in 1960.
Jesse Owens Wins Olympic Long Jump
August 4, 1936
German National Archive Photo
