JFK IS A BELIEVER IN THE DOMINO THEORY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy today was asked if he believes in the "Domino Theory" which holds that if one nation in Southeast Asia falls to the communists, the others will follow.
JFK was asked the question during an interview conducted by NBC-TV newsmen Chet Huntley & David Brinkley to be aired tonight on the Huntley-Brinkley Report.
The President responded:
"I believe it. I think that the struggle is close enough. China is so large....that if South Vietnam (falls) it would give the impression that the wave of the future in Southeast Asia (is) communism. So I believe it."
As to the role of the United States in the struggle in Vietnam, JFK said:
"I think we should stay. We should use our influence as effectively as we can, but we should not withdraw."
September 9, 1961
US TO SEND 40,000 TROOPS TO EUROPE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara announced today that the United States is sending 40,000 regular U.S. Army troops to Europe.
This will bring the total American force in Europe to nearly 300,000.
Most of the troops will be sent to Germany.
President Kennedy is in Hyannis Port today with British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.
In a joint statement, JFK & the Prime Minister expressed "deep regret" in learning that Premier Nikita Khrushchev of the USSR has rejected their proposal to stop nuclear testing.
September 9, 1956
COURTNEY KENNEDY IS BORN IN BOSTON
Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Mr. & Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy announced the birth today of their 5th child & 2nd daughter, Mary Courtney Kennedy.*
*Courtney Kennedy worked on the Children's Television Workshop & served as a representative for the UN Aids Foundation.
September 9, 1893
ESTHER CLEVELAND BORN AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President & Mrs. Grover Cleveland announced today that their 2nd child, Esther Cleveland, was born today at the White House.
Esther Cleveland is the 1st child of a President of the United States to be born in the executive mansion.
The 1st child to be born in the White House, however, was James Madison Randolph who was the grandson of President Thomas Jefferson.*
*Esther Cleveland died on June 25, 1980.
Esther Cleveland
September 9, 1976
CHAIRMAN MAO IS DEAD
Beijing, People's Republic of China (JFK+50) The leader of the Chinese Revolution & the People's Republic of China, Chairman Mao Zedong, died today of a heart attack here in Beijing.
Mao's body will lie in state at the Great Hall of the People.*
*Mao will be buried in the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong in Beijing.
Mausoleum of Mao
Beijing, PRC
Photo by Poco a poco (2006)
