TRIP TO WASHINGTON: 3307 N STREET, GEORGETOWN
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) During our trip to the nation's capital this past weekend, we walked to the townhouse which once belonged to Mr. & Mrs. John F. Kennedy at 3307 N Street in Georgetown.
3307 N Street
Georgetown
Photo by John White (2011)
The Federal style townhouse, built in 1812, is just a short walk up the street from Billy Martin's Tavern.
The home was purchased in 1957 as a gift by Senator Kennedy after his wife, Jacqueline, gave birth to their daughter, Caroline.
Jennifer White at 3307 N Street
Photo by John White (2011)
The Kennedys moved into their new home in January 1958.
After JFK was elected President in November 1960, the front porch became the focal point for reporters & their cameras as JFK would appear to make announcements of his cabinet appointments.
3307 N Street
Front Porch
Photo by John White (2011)
On the morning of January 20, 1961, the President-elect & his wife emerged from the door of 3307 N Street to begin their motorcade to the White House for coffee with the Eisenhowers & from there to the Capitol & the inauguration.*
Mrs. Kennedy & JFK
3307 N. Street
January 20, 1961
*The townhouse was sold in 1961 & remained in private hands over the years. I first visited the home in 2003 when it was obvious someone was living there. This past weekend, however, it was difficult to tell if the home is occupied still.
I have read that some of the recent owners experienced rude behavior on the part of some tourists who brought flashlights to look in their windows or even jumped over the fence into the back yard.
Sidewalk in Front of
3307 N Street
Photo by John White (2011)
September 30, 1962
JFK SPEAKS TO THE NATION ON RIOTS AT OLE MISS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation tonight from the oval office by radio & television on the developing crisis at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.
JFK explained that it was necessary for him to federalize the Mississippi National Guard in order to restore order after riots broke out in opposition to the admittance of James Meredith, an African-American, to the state university.*
The President asked the people of Mississippi to accept Meredith's admission peacefully.
He said:
"The eyes of the nation & all the world are upon you & upon all of us, and the honor of your university & state are in the balance."
JFK also said that the state of Mississippi should not be singled out for blame.
He said:
"Neither Mississippi nor any other southern state deserves to be charged with all the accumulated wrongs of the last 100 years of race relations. The responsibility....must be shared by us all."**
*2 men died in the riots: Paul Guihard, a French journalist & Ray Gunter, a jukebox repairman.
**James Meredith was escorted by US marshals & was successfully admitted to Ole Miss. He graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1963.
US Marshall James McShane,
James Meredith
& John Doar of the Justice Dept.
Ole Miss Campus (1962)
September 30, 1955
JAMES DEAN DIES IN HEAD-ON CAR CRASH
Cholame, California (JFK+50) Teen idol & motion picture star, James Dean, was killed late this afternoon when his Porsche 550 Spyder was involved in a head on collision near Cholame, California.
Dean was pronounced "DOA" at Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital.
Dean's passenger survived the accident & the driver of the other vehicle, Donald Turnaspeed, escaped with minor injuries.
James Dean, a fan favorite of teenagers, appeared in "East of Eden" & "Rebel Without A Cause".
Dean was 24 years old.
Julie Harris & James Dean
in "East of Eden"
September 30, 1927
BABE RUTH BREAKS HOME RUN RECORD
New York City (JFK+50) Yankee Stadium, "The House That Ruth Built", was the scene today of baseball history as Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run of the 1927 season setting the major league record for most home runs in a single season.
The Babe hit a pitch from left-hander Tom Zachary of the Washington Senators high into the right field bleachers.*
*Babe Ruth's 60 home run record would stand for 34 until broken by Roger Maris of the Yankees who hit 61 home runs in 1961.
George Herman "Babe" Ruth
Photo by Irwin, La Broad & Pudlin
Library of Congress (1920)
