WASHINGTON TRIP: JEFFERSON MEMORIAL
The Jefferson Memorial
Photo by John White (2003)
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Jefferson Memorial stands on the south side of the Tidal Basin.
The memorial to the 3rd United States President was designed by John Russell Pope in the style of the ancient Roman Pantheon.
It was completed in 1943.
Inside the impressive memorial stands a 19 foot bronze statue to the author of American independence & on the wall is the following quotation:
"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
October 11, 1961
JFK TO APPOINT PANEL TO STUDY MENTAL RETARDATION
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy announced at his scheduled news conference today in the State Department auditorium that he plans to appoint a panel of physicians & scientists to recommend a program of action in the field of mental retardation.
JFK said: "it is a serious personal matter to 1 out of 12 persons & disables 10 times as many as diabetes."
The President's sister, Rosemary, was born with a mental condition which worsened after she underwent a labotomy at the age of 23.
Rosemary Kennedy
October 11, 1962
JFK SIGNS US POSTAL SERVICE BILL
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy today signed the Postal Service & Federal Employees Salary Act of 1962.
The legislation will increase postage rates as of January 7 of next year & will also reform federal salary systems.
October 11, 1963
JFK ENDORSES REPORT ON STATUS OF WOMEN
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Kennedy today endorsed the Peterson Report issued by the President's Commission on the Status of Women which he established in 1961.
The report says that American women endure a diminished status resulting in a lack of equal opportunity in both salary & personal fulfillment.
JFK said:
"I wonder whether in our society, women have the chance to use their full powers...along lines of excellence."
1950 Homecoming Queen Candidates
October 11, 1963
JFK HONORS ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Kennedy honored former 1st Lady Eleanor Roosevelt today on the 79th anniversary of her birth.
JFK took part in a ceremony at which a commemorative United States stamp honoring Mrs. Roosevelt was presented.
October 11, 1968
FIRST MANNED APOLLO MISSION LAUNCHED
Cape Kennedy, Florida (JFK+50) The 1st manned Apollo mission was launched successfully from Cape Kennedy today.
Apollo 7's astronauts are Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele & Walter Cunningham.*
*Apollo 7 will be in orbit for 11 days & will make the 1st televised broadcast while in orbit.
Apollo 7 Spacecraft
Frontiers of Flight Museum
Photo by Georgi Petrov
October 11, 1975
HILLARY RODHAM MARRIES BILL CLINTON
Little Rock, Arkansas (JFK+50) Hillary Rodham was married to William Jefferson Clinton here in Little Rock, Arkansas today.
The couple met while attending Yale University.
The Clintons plan to live here in Little Rock.*
*In 1978, Bill Clinton became the youngest man to hold the position of governor in any state in history & in 1992, at age 46, was elected the youngest President of the United States since JFK. Hillary Rodham Clinton serves today as Secretary of State in the Obama administration.
Chelsea, Bill & Hillary Clinton
January 20, 1997
White House Photo
October 11, 2002
JIMMY CARTER AWARDED NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
Geneva, Switzerland (JFK+50) Former United States President James Earl (Jimmy) Carter was awarded the Noble Peace Prize today.
The peace prize was presented to Mr. Carter "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, & to advance democracy & human rights."
Jimmy Carter served as President from 1977 to 1981. During his term of office, he mediated a historic peace agreement between Egypt & Israel.
Mr. Carter is the 3rd US President to win the coveted prize. The others were Theodore Roosevelt & Woodrow Wilson.
James Earl Carter
White House Photo
October 11, 1954
SENATOR KENNEDY ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL FOR BACK PROBLEMS
New York City (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was admitted today to the Hospital for Special Surgery at Cornell Medical Center.
The medical center is located at 321 E. 42nd Street in Manhattan.
JFK had x-rays taken of his ailing back.
The doctors discussed plans to schedule an operation on the Senator to repair a ruptured disk in his spine.*
*In 1955, JFK 1st visited Dr. Janet Travell at her office in NYC. She later wrote:
"The thin young Senator on crutches could barely navigate the few steps down from the sidewalk into my office. Pain in his back made it almost impossible for him to step up or down."
JFK on Crutches
