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Friday, May 1, 2015

IKE PROCLAIMS LAW DAY

IKE PROCLAIMED FIRST DAY OF MAY "LAW DAY" 57 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 1, 1958, 57 years ago today, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared May 1st to be LAW DAY in the United States of America.

The American Bar Association, fearing "May Day" was being associated by American citizens with the communist celebration of the first day in May, had called for a special day to honor American law.

.The "Law Day Declaration" identifies its purpose:

"A national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law.  Law Day underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that all Americans share."

President Barack Obama released a Proclamation in honor of Law Day 2015 yesterday. It reads...

"Throughout the world, the rule of law is central to the promise of a safe, free and just society.  Respect for and adherence to the rule of law is the premise upon which the United States was founded.

I call upon all Americans to acknowledge the importance of our Nation's legal and judicial systems."

JFK+50 would like to take this opportunity to honor Law Day by congratulating all law school graduates around the nation this month including our daughter, Jennifer Leigh White, who will be awarded her JD (Doctor of Jurisprudence) Degree from the Charleston (SC) School of Law on May 10.



Jennifer Leigh White
Charleston School of Law
Charleston, SC (2012)

SOURCE

www.americanbar.org



U2 SPY PLANE SHOT DOWN OVER USSR 55 YEARS AGO

Moscow, U.S.S.R. (JFK+50) A U-2 reconnaissance aircraft piloted by Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Soviet air space 55 years ago today, May 1, 1960.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, claiming that this was a weather plane that strayed accidentally over the Soviet Union, was later forced to admit it was a spy plane when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev produced not only the wreckage of the U-2 but also the captured pilot.

The U-2 incident spoiled chances for success of a coming summit meeting.  Ike later called it the "stupid U-2 mess".  It was one of the most embarrassing moments of the Eisenhower presidency.



FIRST AMERICAN REACHES EVEREST SUMMIT

Mount Everest (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, May 1, 1963, James Whittaker of Redmond, Washington became the first American to reach the top of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest.

His accomplishment came a decade after New Zealand's Edmund Hillary became the first man in the world to reach the summit.

Mt. Everest is located in the Himalayas on the border of China and Nepal.
Whittaker was accompanied by Nawang Gombu.  JFK awarded Mr. Whittaker the Hubbard Medal in July 1963.


In 1965, Whittaker led the 1st expedition to climb Mt. Kennedy in Alaska. 
Coming along on the climb was JFK's surviving brother, Robert F. Kennedy


Jim Whittaker Receives Medal 
July 1963
Photo from www.HistoryLink.org