NATIONAL GUARD STOPS INTEGRATION IN LITTLE ROCK
Little Rock, Arkansas (JFK+50) Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus directed the Arkansas National Guard today to stop 9 African-American students from attending the 1st day of classes at all-white Central High School here in Little Rock.
A Federal District Court had ruled earlier this year that Central High School was to be desegregated.
A crowd of angry white citizens gathered outside the school.
One of the "Little Rock Nine", Elizabeth Eckford, said:
"They moved closer & closer. I tried to see a friendly face...in the crowd. I looked into the face of an old woman & it seemed a kind face but when I looked at her again, she spat on me."*
*President Eisenhower would later send Federal troops to Little Rock to enforce the court order.
President Bill Clinton
September 25, 1997
National Archives Photo
September 4, 1957
THE EDSEL UNVEILED BY FORD
Detroit, Michigan (JFK+50) Ford Motor Company unveiled today the 1st new automobile brand produced by the "Big 3" US automakers since 1938, the "Edsel".
The Edsel, named in honor of Edsel B. Ford, son of Henry Ford, has been presented in advertisements for months with the slogan "The Edsel Is Coming".
While the Edsel has been coming, however, the American economy has been going & it is yet to be seen if this new gas-guzzling monster will sell.*
*64,000 Edsels were sold in its 1st year of production & cost Ford $250 million.
A documentary on the 50s, narrated by Dick Cavett, said that not only were Edsels not selling, "they weren't even being stolen."
"The Edsel"
Photo by Christer Johansson (2006)
September 4, 1962
SOVIETS SENDING WEAPONS & TECHNICIANS TO CUBA
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Kennedy Administration announced today that it has evidence that the USSR is providing Fidel Castro with sophisticated weapons & military technicians.
The weaponry includes anti-aircraft defense missiles, radar & other electronic equipment.
It is estimated that there are 3500 Soviet technicians in Cuba at this time.
JFK said:
"It continues to be the policy of the United States that...Castro...will not be allowed to export (his) aggressive purposes by force...."
September 4, 1969
HANOI ANNOUNCES DEATH OF HO CHI MINH
Hanoi, North Vietnam (JFK+50) Radio Hanoi announced today that the National Liberation Front (NLF) will halt military operations in South Vietnam for 3 days (September 8-11) in mourning the death of Ho Chi Minh.
Ho Chi Minh died at the age of 79 on September 2.*
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Photo by Rungbachduong (2006)
September 7, 1951
TRUMAN MAKES 1ST COAST TO COAST TELECAST
San Francisco, California (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman's speech opening the peace conference with Japan was broadcast nationwide today.
The speech was made at 7:30 this evening at the War Memorial Opera House.
The coast to coast telecast was made available to 87 stations in 47 cities.
The President, speaking on the topic of the post-war occupation of Japan by the United States, said:
"The treaty reflects the spirit in which we carried on the war. The principles for which we fought were clearly set forth by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (when he said): 'When we resort to force....we are determined that (it) shall be directed towards ultimate good as well as against immediate evil.'"
President Harry S Truman
San Francisco, California
September 4, 1951
Behind Mr. Truman are:
Dr. Warren Kelchner, Gov Earl Warren,
& Secretary of State Dean Acheson
September 4, 1940
FDR SAYS USS GREER ATTACKED BY GERMAN SUB
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced today that the American destroyer Greer was fired upon by a German submarine in the North Atlantic.
Fortunately, the U-boat's torpedoes missed the target & the USS Greer made it safely to Iceland.
FDR said: "If German or Italian vessels of war enter these waters, they do so at their own peril."*
*FDR did not say, however, that the Greer was "tracking" the German sub for a British aircraft which dropped a depth charge in the direction of the sub.
September 4, 1886
APACHE CHIEF GERONIMO SURRENDERS
Fort Sill, Oklahoma (JFK+50) Apache chief Geronimo, who has been fighting to protect his homeland for 3 decades, surrendered today to United States Army General Nelson Miles.*
*Geronimo is taken to the reservation near Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he will become a farmer & convert to Christianity. He died on February 17, 1909.
Apache Chief Geronimo
Photo by Frank A. Rinehart (1898)
