US NAVY STOPS 1ST SHIP AT QUARANTINE LINE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The White House announced today that at 7:50 this morning the 1st ship was stopped & searched by the United States Navy at the "Quarantine Line" east of Cuba.
A boarding party from the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (named after JFK's older brother) inspected the cargo of the Marucla, a Lebanese freighter under charter to the USSR.
The inspection, according to the White House, turned up no offensive weapons & so the Marucla was allowed to proceed towards Havana, Cuba.
USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.
US Navy Photo
October 26, 1962
JFK RECEIVES LETTER FROM KHRUSHCHEV
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) According to White House sources, President John F. Kennedy received a letter from Premier Nikita Khrushchev of the Soviet Union this evening in which he proposes an idea on how to end the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Khrushchev began by restating that Soviet missiles in Cuba are for defensive purposes only.
Then, the Chairman proposes, in the letter, that if the United States will recall its fleet & make a promise not to invade Cuba, "the necessity for the presence of our military specialists would disappear."*
*At the Pentagon, General Curtis LeMay was not impressed. He told his colleagues that Khrushchev's letter was a lot of "b.s." & that the Soviet Premier must believe "we are a bunch of dumb s___s, if we swallow that syrup!"**
**Source: Michael Dobbs, "One Minute To Midnight" (2008).
General Curtis LeMay
October 26, 2001
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS USA PATRIOT ACT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President George W. Bush signed into law today the "Uniting & Strengthening America (by) Providing Appropriate Tools Required (to) Intercept (&) Obstruct Terrorism" Act of 2001.
The USA PATRIOT ACT was passed by Congress in response to the 9-11 terrorists attacks on New York & Washington, D.C.
The act reduces restraints on law enforcement agencies to search records as well as restraints on foreign intelligence gathering.*
*President Obama signed a 4 year extension of 3 key provisions of the Patriot Act.
President GW Bush, Obama & Clinton
Photo by Pete Souza
White House Photo (2010)
October 26, 1881
GUNFIGHT AT OK CORRAL IN TOMBSTONE
Tombstone, Arizona Territory (JFK+50) This morning, the City Marshall, V. W. Earp arrested a cowboy named Ike Clanton for disorderly conduct & he was fined $25 & disarmed in the Justices' Court.
Clanton left, swearing vengeance on the Sheriff & Marshall Earp & his brother Morgan who tried to induce Clanton to leave the town, but he refused to be pacified.
At 3 o'clock P.M., the Earp brothers & J.J. Halliday met 4 cowboys, namely the 2 Clanton brothers & 2 McLowery brothers, when a lively fire commenced from the cowboys against the 3 citizens. About 30 shots were fired rapidly.*
When the smoke cleared, Frank & Tom McLaury & Billy Clanton lay dead while Morgan & Virgil Earp, along with Doc Holliday, were wounded. Wyatt Earp was unharmed.
*This part of the news article is from a newspaper of the time.
"Gunfight at the OK Corral"
A Reenactment
Photo by James G. Howes (2008)
October 26, 1825
ERIE CANAL OPENED BY GOVERNOR CLINTON
View of Eastbound Lockport
on the Erie Canal
by W.H. Bartlett (1839)
Buffalo, New York (JFK+50) The Erie Canal was officially opened today here in Buffalo by New York Governor DeWitt Clinton.
Governor Clinton was the master of ceremonies & boarded the canal boat Seneca Chief bound for New York City.
Work on the "Big Ditch", as it has been called, began in August 1823.*
*After arriving in New York City on September 4, 1825, Governor Clinton emptied a barrel of Lake Erie water in the Atlantic Ocean thus consummating "the marriage of the waters".
"I've got an old mule, her name is Sal
15 miles on the Erie Canal
Shes a good old worker
and a good old pal
15 miles on the Erie Canal."
15 Miles On The Erie Canal
by Thomas S. Allen (1905)
