"ALSO PROVIDES FOR CONVENING CONGRESS IN JANUARY"

HOUSE TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT MOVING INAUGURATION TO JANUARY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 3, 1924, a committee of the United States House of Representatives reported out the (George) Norris* resolution proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the inauguration of the POTUS & VPOTUS in January.

The resolution, already approved by the U.S. Senate, also provides for the convening of the Congress on the first Monday in January following the election.

The Evening Star reports that the House committee has "already...approved a similar resolution" proposed by Congressman White (R-Kansas).

*George William Norris (1861-1944) was born in York Township, Ohio & represented the state of Nebraska in the US House of Representatives 1903-1913 & US Senate 1913-1843,

JFK+50 NOTE

By the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1933) the date of the presidential inauguration was changed from March 4 to January 20.  The main reason for the change was to shorten the length of time between the November election and the inauguration. 

The first inauguration to which the 20th amendment was applied was the second inaugural of FDR on January 20, 1937.

SOURCE

"Report Measure To Change Date Of Inauguration," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 3, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

 The Seal of the President of the United States

1915

Bailey, Banks & Biddle of Philadelphia

Woodrow Wilson Papers

Library of Congress

MOUNT VERNON DINNER

DINNER ON THE LAWN AT MOUNT VERNON

Mount Vernon, Virginia (JFK+50) 53 years ago this evening, July 11, 1961, President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy gave a state dinner on the lawn of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate for the visiting president of Pakistan, Ayub Khan* and his wife.

One hundred thirty-five dinner guests were transported to the estate on four yachts which sailed down the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

The dinner was held in a tent decorated by Tiffany's of New York.

In a toast to President Khan, President Kennedy said:

"We recognize in you a leader who recognizes that the independence of his own country is not enough, that there is a link which binds your country and ours all the way across the globe."

JFK, Mrs. Khan, Jackie, President Khan

Mount Vernon, Virginia

July 11, 1961

JFK Library Photo

*Mohammed Ayub Khan (1907-1974) was born in Rehana and attended Aligrh Muslim University and the Royal Military College.  He joined the Indian army in 1928 rising to the rank of colonel during WWII.

In 1949, Khan became Commander-in-Chief of the East Pakistan Army and Defense Minister in 1954.  He served as president of Pakistan from 1958 to 1969.

Ayub Khan, Jackie and Sardar

JFK HONORS SENATOR NORRIS OF NEBRASKA

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Kennedy took part in a ceremony 53 years ago today, July 11, 1961, honoring the 100th birthday of Nebraska senator, George W. Norris.

Norris was instrumental in the development of the Tennessee Valley Authority during the 1930s.

JFK joined in honoring Norris with TVA's Board of Directors and congressmen from districts in the Tennessee Valley.*

FDR Signs Rural Electrification Act

May 11, 1935

*Norris Dam is located on the Clinch River in Anderson and Campbell Counties in East Tennessee. It opened in 1936 and was named for Senator George W. Norris.

Norris Dam

Norris, Tennessee

US-VIETNAM OPEN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONSHIP 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Nineteen years ago today, July 11, 1995, President William Jefferson Clinton established a full diplomatic relationship with Vietnam.

It had been 20 years since the Vietnam War ended with the country unified under a Communist government.  In 1994, President Clinton had lifted the 19 year trade embargo with Vietnam.

The president was supported in his decision to establish the diplomatic relationship with Vietnam by Arizona Republican Senator John McCain who had been a prisoner of war in Hanoi for five years.

In November 2000, President Clinton became the first president to visit Vietnam since Richard Nixon's 1969 visit.

President Bill Clinton 

Hanoi National University

www.usvtc.org

SOVIETS GIVE UP CONTROL OF WEST BERLIN

Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) Abiding by agreements worked out during World War conferences, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics relinquished both military and  civilian control of West Berlin sixty-nine years ago today, July 11, 1945.

By the agreements, the American and British governments would share control of West Berlin.

The former Nazi capital had been under Soviet control from the time of Berlin's fall.

The United States and Great Britain would later give up part of their "zones of occupation" to France.

Germany Divided After WWII

Map by Broadbeer

BABE RUTH MADE MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT A CENTURY AGO 

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) A century ago today, July 11, 1914, George Herman "Babe" Ruth made his major league debut pitching for the Boston Red Sox.

The Babe gave up five hits over his first six innings before being relieved in the seventh.

The Red Sox won by a score of 4 to 3 and the Babe was credited with the win.

Babe Ruth's career pitching record for the Red Sox would be 89-46.

Babe Ruth Signs an Autograph

 1937 All-Star Game

 Harris and Ewing Photo

 Library of Congress