TENNESSEE RATIFIES WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) The State of Tennessee today became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment.
The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution gives women the right to vote.
A two-thirds vote being necessary for an amendment to become the law of the land, Tennessee's ratification did the job.*
*The 19th Amendment was formally adopted into the US Constitution by the proclamation of Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby on August 26, 1920.
The Great Seal of the State of Tennessee
Jackson, Tennessee
Photo by John White (2011)
August 18, 1962
JFK VISITS YOSEMITE & SAN LUIS DAM
Los Banos, California (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy attended the groundbreaking ceremonies today for the San Luis Dam.
The San Luis Dam is the cornerstone of the federal government's $500 million plan to increase the flow of water for irrigation in the region.
San Luis Dam
Los Banos, California
Photo by Kjkolb (2006)
JFK said:
"The way to move ahead is to realize that we are citizens of one country....& if one state stands still, so do all the rest."
The President added:
"Our task in the simplest terms is to strengthen the United States...."
Earlier, JFK had paid a visit to Yosemite National Park becoming the 1st President to do so since Theodore Roosevelt.
Teddy Roosevelt & John Muir
on Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
August 18, 1963
JAMES MEREDITH GRADUATES FROM OLE MISS
Oxford, Mississippi (JFK+50) James Meredith, the 1st African-American to attend the University of Mississippi, graduated today with a degree in political science.*
*In 1966 while making a solo civil rights march to encourage voter registration, Mr. Meredith was shot by a sniper.
Sculpture of James Meredith
University of Mississippi
Photo by Allspamme (2011)
August 18, 1966
FIRST AUSSIE TASK FORCE DEFEAT VC
Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam (JFK+50) The First Australian Task Force defeated a force of Viet Cong in Phuoc Tuy Province today.
It is reported that 245 VC were killed while the ATF lost 17.
Soldier of the
Royal Australian Regiment
August 18, 1795
PRESIDENT WASHINGTON SIGNS JAY'S TREATY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President George Washington signed a treaty with Great Britain today negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay of New York.
The treaty promises to establish peaceful trade between Great Britain & the United States as well as settling some leftover issues from the American Revolutionary War.
The treaty is officially called "Treaty of Amity, Commerce & Navigation between His British Majesty & the United States of America".*
*The treaty was opposed by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison & their supporters. They saw closer ties between Britain & the US as detrimental to "republicanism".
Jay's Treaty
August 18, 1227
GENGHIS KHAN IS DEAD
Genghis Khan, the Mongul leader whose empire stretches from China to the Aral Sea, died today in camp during a campaign against the Chinese kingdom of Xi Xia.
Khan, 60 years old, ordered, on his deathbed, the kingdom of Xi Xia be destroyed.
Kazakhstan 100 Tenge Coin
