TRIP TO WASHINGTON: BILLY MARTIN'S TAVERN
John White at Billy Martin's Tavern
Georgetown (2011)
Photo by Jennifer White
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) During our trip to Washington this past weekend, we had the pleasure of dining at Billy Martin's Tavern, the oldest family-owned restaurant in the city.
Billy Martin's, established in 1933 when FDR took office as President, is located at Wisconsin & N Street.
The restaurant serves great food at affordable prices & the service is fantastic.
Breakfast at Billy Martin's Tavern
Photo by John White (2011)
"Martin's Tavern has had the honor of serving every president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush & a few returned regularly to sit at their favorite table."
We had brunch at Billy's on Saturday afternoon. We sat at a sidewalk table overlooking the intersection in Georgetown.
On Tuesday morning we returned for breakfast & sat in the Kennedy "Proposal Booth".
Jennifer White Sits in
The "Proposal Booth"
Billy Martin's Tavern
Photo by John White (2011)
A little bit of history about the historic booths at Billy Martin's:
*Booth #1: "The Rumble Seat"
"After mass at Holy Trinity in the 1950s, JFK sat in this booth reading the paper & having brunch on Sundays."
"The Rumble Seat"
Billy Martin's Tavern
Photo by John White (2011)
*Booth #2: "The Nixon Booth"
"In the 1940s & early 50s, Richard Nixon sat there as a congressman, senator & Vice-President. He enjoyed Martin's meatloaf."
"The Nixon Booth"
Billy Martin's Tavern
Photo by John White (2011)
*Booth #3: "The Kennedy Proposal Booth"
"JFK & Jackie frequently dined in Booth #3. On June 24, 1953, Jacqueline Bouvier accepted John Kennedy's proposal of marriage. Since that day, Booth #3 has been known as the proposal booth."
Billy Martin's Tavern
Photos by John White (2011)
Two other booths at Billy Martin's were often occupied by Harry Truman & his family & LBJ & Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn.*
*The Martin family came from Galway, Ireland in the late 1890s. The current owner is Billy Martin IV. Be sure to check out his blog at www.martins-tavern.com
September 29, 1961
US SENATE CONFIRMS 60 JUDGES
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The United States Senate confirmed today 60 new circuit & district court judges appointed by President John F. Kennedy.*
*After the Senate goes into recess, JFK appointed 17 other court positions. This marks the largest expansion of the federal court system in US history.
September 29, 1962
JFK FEDERALIZES MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD
Oxford, Mississippi (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy today federalized the Mississippi National Guard to protect James Meredith in his registration & attendance at classes at the University of Mississippi here in Oxford.
James Meredith will be the 1st African-American to attend the state university.
Before making his decision, JFK conferred with administration officials including Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
James Meredith
Library of Congress Photo
(1962)
September 29, 1963
McNAMARA & TAYLOR TOUR MEKONG VALLEY
Saigon, South Vietnam (JFK+50) Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara & Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Maxwell Taylor toured the Mekong Valley of South Vietnam today before meeting with South Vietnam President Diem.
General Maxwell D. Taylor
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff
September 29, 1942
JFK SENDS THANK YOU LETTER TO CLARE BOOTH LUCE
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Lt. j.g. John F. Kennedy, US Navy, sent a letter today to Clare Booth Luce thanking her for sending him a "good luck" coin before he departs for the South Pacific.
The coin had belonged to Luce's mother.
JFK wrote in the letter that he would clip the coin to his military ID tags.
He also wrote:
"Good Luck is a commodity in rather large demand these days & I feel you have given me a particularly potent bit of it."
Clare Booth Luce
Photo by Carl Van Vechten
Library of Congress (1932)
