LBJ ADVISED TO ESCALATE BOMBING OF NORTH VIETNAM
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Lyndon B. Johnson was advised today by the National Security Council to escalate the bombing of North Vietnam.
The NSC includes chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maxwell Taylor, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara & Secretary of State Dean Rusk.
The measure was recommended to the President in order to boost the morale of the South Vietnamese, cut communist infiltration into the south, & force Hanoi to stop its support of insurgency in South Vietnam.
The President's civilian advisers reportedly want a graduated escalation in the bombing while his military advisers favor a "fast & full" escalation.*
*LBJ ordered "Operation Rolling Thunder" which began in March 1965 & lasted through October 1968. This bombing operation followed the gradual escalation recommendation.
US Navy Bombing North Vietnam
US Navy Photo (1968)
November 28, 1954
ENRICO FERMI DIES AT 53
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) The 1st man to create & control a nuclear chain reaction, physicist Enrico Fermi, died here in Chicago today at the age of 53.
Born in Rome in 1901, he earned his doctorate at the University of Pisa & in 1929 became the youngest man ever elected to the Royal Academy of Italy.
He was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics for "identifying of new radioactive elements.*
*Fermi sent a letter to FDR warning of the danger of German development of the atomic bomb. The letter led to the Manhattan Project.
Enrico Fermi
Los Alamos ID Badge Photo
November 28, 1925
GRAND OLE OPRY IS ON THE AIR IN NASHVILLE*
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) WSM radio began broadcasting a new "barn dance" program today from the National Life & Accident Insurance Company here in Nashville.
The radio program features a 77 year old fiddler named Uncle Jimmy Thompson.
*We have taken liberties with the term "Grand Ole Opry" which was not spoken on air until Dec. 10, 1927. The program was 1st known as the "Barn Dance" but in introducing Deford Bailey, "the harmonica wizard" in 1927, emcee Walter Damrosch said:
"For the past hour, we have been listening to music from the Grand Opera. From now on, we will present the "Grand Ole Opry".**
**The Barn Dance followed NBC Red Network's Music Appreciation Hour which consisted of classical music.
On June 5, 1943, the Opry moved to the RYMAN AUDITORIUM. It would be the home of the Opry until 1974 when the move was made to the Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland USA.
Ryman Auditorium
Home of the Grand Ole Opry
(1943-1974)
Nashville, Tennessee
Photo by Ryan Kaldari (2005)
