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Thursday, July 17, 2014

JFK RESOLVED A FAILURE

REPUBLICANS RESOLVED JFK WAS "PRETTY MUCH OF A FAILURE" 51 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference 51 years ago today, July 17, 1963, held at the State Department here in the Nation's Capital, President John F. Kennedy was reminded that during the 1960 campaign he had said it was "time for America to get moving" again.

The reporter asked if the President thought America was moving and "if so, how and where?"

Before JFK responded, the newsman added...

"The reason I ask you the question, Mr. President, is that the Republican National Committee recently adopted a resolution saying you were pretty much a failure."

The President, with his characteristic wry wit, answered...

"I am sure it was passed unanimously."



JFK at Press Conference
JFK Library Image

With reporters still chuckling, JFK pointed with pride to an increase in Gross National Product of almost $90 million and a 25% increase in business profits.

He also said there had been a 10% increase in farm profits during his tenure as president.

President Kennedy added...

"The only thing is that the United States has to move very fast to stand still.  We are going to have to find in the next decade 22 million jobs to take care of those coming into the labor market."

JFK concluded, however, that the nation had made "substantial progress" and that that the evaluation of that would come in the 1964 election.

SENATE DEFEATED MEDICARE 52 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy expressed disappointment 52 years ago today, July 17, 1962, when he learned the United States Senate had narrowly defeated the King-Anderson Medicare Bill which he supported.

The President vowed to continue the fight by taking the issue to the voters in the fall midterm elections.

The American Medical Association lobbied against the bill.

JFK said that he hoped the people would...

"restore a Congress that will support....Medical Care for the Aged."*


 LBJ Signs Medicare Bill
LBJ Library Photo
July 30, 1965


JFK SAYS NORMAL RELATIONS WITH CUBA IMPOSSIBLE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference of July 17, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was asked if he saw Fidel Castro seeking a "more relaxed relationship" with the United States.

The President responded by saying that normal relations with Cuba were "impossible" as long as the nation remained a satellite state of the USSR.


JFK ARRIVES AT LOGAN TO A BIG CROWD

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy arrived at Logan Airport here in Boston 54 years ago today, July 17, 1960,  fresh off receiving the 1960 Democratic nomination for President of the United States in Los Angeles

The Senator, who was greeted by 13,000 supporters,was accompanied by family members as well as campaign workers.


POTSDAM CONFERENCE BEGAN 69 YEARS AGO 

Potsdam, Germany (JFK+50) Allied representatives arrived here in Potsdam 69 years ago today, July 17, 1945, to begin discussions on the situation in Europe when World War II came to an end. 

The "Big Three" representing their respective nations included...

President Harry S Truman, USA
Prime Minister Winston Churchill, UK
Premier Joseph Stalin, USSR

The conference began with an aura of suspicion as each of the Allied nations representatives had their own interests at heart.

Issues to be discussed included the postwar border of Poland, occupation of Austria and war reparations.



Churchill-Truman-Stalin
Potsdam, Germany


APOLLO AND SOYUZ LINK UP IN SPACE

Houston, Texas (JFK+50) NASA reported 39 years ago today, July 17, 1975, that US spacecraft Apollo 18 had successfully docked with the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 19.

The historic moment came when the hatches of both spacecraft were opened and Commanders Thomas Safford and Aleksei Lzonov shook hands and exchanged gifts.

The two spacecraft would remain together for 44 hours during which time experiments were conducted and the astronauts and cosmonauts would share meals.



Historic Handshake in Space
July 17, 1975
NASA Photo