TRIP TO WASHINGTON: UNITED STATES CAPITOL
United States Capitol
September 26, 2011
Photo by John White
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) We visited the United States Capitol Building twice during our recent trip to the Nation's Capital.
The 1st was on Sunday, September 25, when the Capitol itself was closed.
We took the opportunity to walk completely around the grounds & get some great pictures on a beautiful Washington afternoon.
Jennifer White
Visits US Capitol
September 25, 2011
Our 2nd visit came on Monday, September 26, when we enjoyed a tour of the Capitol building itself.
The House of Representatives was adjourned for the week, but the Senate was in session.
The tour was informative & interesting & the magnificence of the building itself never ceases to amaze.
President George Washington laid the cornerstone for the Capitol building in 1793 & construction was completed in 1863 with the placement of the statue "Freedom" atop the dome.*
*President Lincoln decided construction of the Capitol building should continue during the Civil War as a sign that the Union would also.
Statue "Freedom"
Atop Capitol Dome
Photo by John White
The design of the Capitol is that of architect William Thornton, a Pantheon-like dome flanked by symmetrical wings of the House & Senate.
The 1st President to address Congress in the new Capitol was John Adams who spoke in 1800 when only the north wing had been completed.
In 1865, inside the Capitol dome, a round ceiling fresco titled "The Apotheosis of Washington" was completed by Constantino Brumidi.
US Capitol Rotunda
September 26, 2011
Photo by John White
A small white marble stone in the center of the floor of the Rotunda marks the spot where the remains of Presidents of the United States have rested including Abraham Lincoln & John F. Kennedy.
Center of Rotunda Floor
Photo by John White
In 1832, Frances Trollope, an English visitor, wrote:
"The beauty & majesty of the American capitol might defy an abler pen than mine to do it justice. It stands so finely too, high & alone."
Jennifer Leigh White
So Excited to be at the Capitol
September 25, 2011
Photo by John White
October 5, 1950
JOHN F. FITZGERALD IS LAID TO REST
West Roxbury, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The former mayor of the city of Boston, John Francis Fitzgerald, was laid to rest today at the St. Joseph's Cemetery here in West Roxbury.
The popular "Honey Fitz", as he was known, loved political life & enjoyed singing "Sweet Adeline" on campaign.
Mr. Fitzgerald, who suffered a lengthy illness, died on October 2 at 11:55 p.m.
A mass was conducted at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. The mass was officiated by Richard J. Cushing.*
*John F. Fitzgerald was JFK's grandfather & President Kennedy named his yacht, "Honey Fitz", in his honor.
John F. Fitzgerald
1863-1850
Library of Congress Photo
October 5, 1961
JFK SIGNS COMMUNITY HEALTH ACT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed into law today the Community Health Services & Facilities Act.
The legislation authorizes federal aid for the construction of health research facilities as well as grants to develop less costly out-of -hospital care for senior citizens & the chronically ill.
October 5, 1964
LBJ ATTACKED BY SENATOR NELSON
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Disturbed by growing reports that the Johnson administration is planning to escalate the war in Vietnam, Democratic Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson today expressed dissatisfaction with this prospect.
The Senator said that the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by both houses of Congress, does not authorize the President to escalate the war.*
*Congress finally repealed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution in 1970.
Senator Nelson went on JFK's conservation tour in 1963 & was the founder of "Earth Day". He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995 for his work on environmental protection. He died in 2005 at the age of 89.
Senator Gaylord Nelson
(D) Wisconsin
October 5, 1947
TRUMAN IS A STAR ON TELEVISION
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman became the 1st President of the United States today to give a televised address from the White House.
FDR was the 1st President to appear on TV. His broadcast was to a limited audience at the 1939 New York World's Fair.
In his televised address today, President Truman asked the American people to cut back on their consumption of grain in order to help Europeans who are short on food supplies in the aftermath of WWII.
Mr. Truman suggested that Americans refrain from eating meat on Tuesdays, & eggs & poultry on Thursdays.*
*While more Americans had TV sets in their homes in 1947, the large majority did not.
Just as FDR was the 1st "radio" president, JFK was the 1st "television" president. Both were adept at using these respective mediums to their fullest political advantage.
October 5, 1813
TECUMSEH DIES AT BATTLE OF THE THAMES
Moraviantown, Canada (JFK+50) Shawnee chief Tecumseh was killed here today at the Battle of the Thames.
Tecumseh had organized resistance to white settlement on native-American lands.*
*The death of Tecumseh marked the end of Indian resistance east of the Mississippi River.
"Death of Tecumseh"
Lithograph by Nathaniel Currier
Library of Congress (1843)
