SOLEMN WARNING ISSUED TO SOVIETS ON BERLIN CRISIS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Kennedy administration today released a statement declaring:
"the United States must serve a solemn warning to the Soviet Union that any interference by the Soviet Government or its East German regime with free access to West Berlin would be an aggressive act for the consequences of which the Soviet government would bear full responsibility."
Flag of West Berlin
(1949-1990)
August 24, 1962
JFK ISSUES ORDER ON BRONZE STAR
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy today issued an Executive Order to extend the eligibility for the BRONZE STAR to American soldiers serving in Vietnam & Laos where the United States is not "technically" at war.
The Bronze Star
August 24, 1954
CONGRESS PASSES COMMUNIST CONTROL ACT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Congress of the United States passed the Communist Control Act today. The act states that:
"The Communist Party of the United States is in fact an instrumentality of a conspiracy to overthrow the Government of the United States."
The act states further that the party is a "continuing danger to the security of the United States".
The Communist Control Act is basically declaring that the Communist Party should be outlawed in the United States of America but gives no explanation of how that is to be accomplished.
August 24, 1821
SPAIN ACCEPTS MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE
Cordoba, Veracruz, Mexico (JFK+50) The government of Spain today accepted the independence of Mexico.
Spanish Viceroy Juan de O'Donoju signed the Treaty of Cordoba today approving a plan to make Mexico an independent constitutional monarchy.
Tradados de Cordoba
August 24, 1821
August 24, 1814
BRITISH LAUNCH ATTACK ON WASHINGTON
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) British forces today launched a surprise attack on Washington, D.C. as President Madison & the Congress fled into Virginia.
The British army under General Robert Ross overwhelmed an inexperienced US militia at Bladensburg, Maryland opening the way into the capital city.*
*The British withdrew from Washington on August 26 & President Madison returned to a scorched city.
The President's House was reconstructed in 1817. Painted a bright white color, it soon became known as "The White House.
Burning of Washington
