"TOOK HER 2 YEARS, TOOK HIM 2 MINUTES"

THE KENNEDYS HAVE TWO DEGREES FROM GWU, JACKIE'S B.S. & JFK'S HONORARY J.D.

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by George Washington University* here in the Nation's Capital.

In accepting the degree, the President noted that the First Lady, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, had graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the university.  

President Kennedy said...

"My wife beat me to this honor by about eight or nine years.  It took her two years to get the degree and it took me two minutes."

JFK+50 NOTE

Jacqueline Bouvier studied at Vassar College & spent her junior year in Paris.  She finished her degree at GWU in 1951 earning a Bachelor of Science in French Literature.

*The George Washington University, founded in 1821, is a privately federally chartered institution, the first under jurisdiction of Washington, D.C.  In 2025, GWU had 24,500 students.  The undergraduate tuition is $64,990.

SOURCE

"JFK Gets Honorary Degree," JFK+50, May 3, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

The George Washington University

Washington, D.C. (2012)

Photo by Rajasekher1961

"WE PRAY THEE, HOLY YOUTH, COME & WALK AMONG US"

TODAY'S YOUTH HAVE BUILT UP 'STRONGER RESISTANCE' TO TEMPTATION SAYS GWU PRESIDENT

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 17, 1926, President William Mather Lewis* of George Washington University, speaking at a noonday session at Keith's Theater, said...

"St. Patrick found inspiration through a dream in which he heard voices crying 'We pray thee, holy youth, to come and walk among us as before.'"

Dr. Lewis noted criticisms of today's youth is not peculiar to this time.  He said that similar opinions were expressed 6000 years ago.  It is his belief that youth of today have built up a "stronger resistance" to temptation.

*William Mather Lewis (1878-1945) was born in Howell, Michigan & earned his PhD at the University of Berlin.  WML was president of GWU 1923-1927 & president of Lafayette College 1927-1945.

SOURCE

"Head Of University Lauds Modern Youth," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., March 17, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

William Mather Lewis

1923

National Photo Company

Library of Congress

"THERE NEVER HAS BEEN A GREATER NEED FOR THE QUALITIES A UNIVERSITY PRODUCES"

JFK SPEAKS OF TIES OF AMERICAN LEADERS & GREAT UNIVERSITIES

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy addressed the graduates of George Washington University* here in the District of Columbia after being presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

JFK acknowledged the close ties between American political and military leaders and great universities.  In addition to President Washington and GWU, he mentioned John and John Quincy Adams (Harvard), General Robert E. Lee (Washington and Lee).  He also mentioned Woodrow Wilson (Princeton) and Theodore Roosevelt (Harvard).

President Kennedy said...

"I don't think that there has ever been a time when we have had greater need for those qualities which a university produces.  The job of schools and colleges (is) to provide the men and women who will...contribute to the maintenance of free societies here and around the world."

*George Washington University was created by Congress in 1821 fulfilling the vision of the 1st POTUS.  Today it is the largest institution of higher learning in the District of Columbia with more than 20,000 students from 50 states and 130 countries.  The university offers a range of study from forensic science to the law and public policy.

JFK+50 NOTE

While President Kennedy was a product of Harvard, Jacqueline Kennedy was  a graduate of George Washington University.  He joked that it took his wife 2 years to get her degree from GWU while it took him 2 minutes. 

SOURCES

"Remarks at George Washington University Upon Receiving an Honorary Degree, May 3, 1961," Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy,  January 20 to December 31, 1961, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1962. 

www.gwu.edu/

The George Washington University

Georgetown, District of Columbia

Photo by John White (2011)

"IT TOOK JACKIE 2 YEARS TO GET THIS DEGREE & IT TOOK ME 2 MINUTES"

JFK BESTOWED HONORARY DOCTOR OF LAWS FROM GWU

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from George Washington University* here on the university campus in Georgetown.  In accepting the honorary degree, the President noted that his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, graduated with a Bachelors of Arts from the university.

President Kennedy quipped:

"My wife beat me to this honor by about eight or nine years.  It took her two years to get this degree and it took me two minutes."

Jacqueline Bouvier graduated from GWU in 1951.  Her major was French Literature.  In the summer after her graduation, Miss Bouvier toured Europe with her sister.  This was the first Honorary Degree John F. Kennedy received as President of the United States.

*GWU was created by Congress in 1821 fulfilling the vision of the 1st POTUS.  Today it is the largest institution of higher learning in the District of Columbia with more than 20,000 students from 50 states and 130 countries.  GWU offers a range of study from forensic science to law and public policy. 

Source: www.gwu.edu/

The George Washington University

Georgetown, District of Columbia

Photo by John White (2011)

JACKIE HAD A SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON THE KENNEDY PRESIDENCY

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 2023

JACQUELINE BOUVIER KENNEDY BORN 87 YEARS AGO

Southampton, New York (JFK+50) Eighty-seven years ago today, July 28, 1929, a baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Vernou Bouvier III.  The future First Lady of the United States, wife of President John F. Kennedy, was named Jacqueline*.

Mr. Bouvier, who was known as "Black Jack", was a Wall Street stockbroker and of both French and English descent.  Mrs. Janet Norton Lee Bouvier was of Irish descent.*

The Bouviers divorced in 1940 and Jackie's mother remarried two years later. Her second husband was Hugh D. Auchincloss, Jr., the heir to the Standard Oil Company fortune.

Jackie attended Vassar, the Sorbonne in France and graduated from George Washington University in 1951 with a BA in French literature.

As First Lady from 1961 to 1963, Mrs. Kennedy redecorated the White House and took an avid interest in the arts, but Michael Beschloss says that the idea that Jackie took little interest in JFK's political life is not true.  He writes...

"when viewed in history, she (was) a significant influence in that presidency."

Mrs. Kennedy shared her opinions on "virtually every major figure" of the administration and, again according to Mr. Beschloss, those she favored usually were promoted or had more influence than those she did not.

*Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis (1929-1994) competed in horse riding and was a successful student of many languages.  She lived in McLean,  VA & Newport, R.I.  JLKO attended Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, MD & Miss Porter's School in Farmington, CT.

During her college years, she studied in France for a year.  She married Senator John F. Kennedy in 1953.  Jackie was one of the youngest and most popular First Ladies in American history.

SOURCE

"Five myths about Jackie Kennedy," by Michael Beschloss, The Washington Post, October 24, 2013.

Jackie at 6 years old

Photo by David Berne (1935)

JFK Library

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1938

JFK RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE FROM GWU 

,Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-five years ago today, May 3, 1961,
President John F. Kennedy was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from George Washington University*.

In accepting the honorary degree, President Kennedy noted that his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, graduated with a BA from the university in 1957.

The President quipped...

"My wife beat me to this honor by about eight or nine years.  It took her two years to get this degree and it took me two minutes, but in any case we are both grateful.

This University bears the name of George Washington, which showed his understanding in his day of the necessity of a free society to produce educated men and women.

I believe....people do want to be free (and) that they desire to develop...their own potentials (and) democracy permits them to do so."

*George Washington University was established in 1821 as Columbian College in the District of Columbia & changed its name to honor the First U.S. President in 1904.   Its' 1st commencement was held in 1824 & attended by President James Monroe & the Marquis de Lafayette.

Today GWU is ranked as one of the top politically active schools in the nation.

SOURCE

"Remarks on receiving honorary degree at George Washington University, 3 May 1961," www.jfklibrary.org/

The George Washington University

Photo by Ingfbruno

April 20, 2013

The George Washington University

Photo by John White (2004)

               

BATTLE OF CORAL SEA

BATTLE OF CORAL SEA BEGAN 73 YEARS AGO 

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (JFK+50) Seventy-three years ago today, May 3, 1942, the first day of the Battle of Coral Sea was fought between military forces of the Japanese Empire and the United States.

The battle, which was fought in between Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, resulted in the Japanese occupation of Tulagi in the Solomon Island chain.

The Battle of Coral Sea was the first air-naval battle in world history as fighting was done by carrier based airplanes.  The Japanese would go on to occupy all of the Solomon Islands, but the battle was the first in which the Japanese navy was turned back.

Later in 1943, Tulagi would be retaken and Lt. j.g. John F. Kennedy would arrive there to take command of the PT109.

JFK GETS HONORARY DEGREE 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago today, May 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from George Washington University.

In accepting the honorary degree, JFK noted that his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, graduated with a BA from the university in 1957.

The President quipped:

"My wife beat me to this honor by about 8 or 9 years.  It took her 2 years to get this degree and it took me 2 minutes."

George Washington University

Photo by John White (2004)

               

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

GWU HONORED JFK 53 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from George Washington University* 53 years ago today, May 3, 1961 here on the university campus in Georgetown.

In accepting the honorary degree, the President noted that his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, graduated with a Bachelors of Arts from the university.

President Kennedy quipped:

"My wife beat me to this honor by about eight or nine years.  It took her two years to get this degree and it took me two minutes."**

Jacqueline Bouvier graduated from GWU in 1951.  Her major was French Literature.  In the summer after her graduation, Miss Bouvier toured Europe with her sister.

According to the newsreel below, this was the first Honorary Degree John F. Kennedy received as President of the United States.

*George Washington University was created by Congress in 1821 fulfilling the vision of the 1st POTUS.  

Today it is the largest institution of higher learning in the District of Columbia with more than 20,000 students from 50 states and 130 countries.  

The university offers a range of study from forensic science to the law and public policy. 

Source: www.gwu.edu/

The George Washington University

Georgetown, District of Columbia

Photo by John White (2011)

George Washington University

Georgetown, District of Columbia

Photo by John White (2004)

**JFK graduated from Harvard in 1940.

FIRST ELECTORAL COLLEGE

FIRST ELECTORAL COLLEGE MET 225 YEARS AGO

New York City (JFK+50) The members of the first College of Electors chose George Washington of Virginia as the 1st President of the United States 225 years ago today, February 4, 1789.

George Washington University

Georgetown, D.C. (2011)

Photo by John White

With each elector having two votes to cast, General Washington received 1 vote from every elector thus making his election unanimous.

The final tally was...

George Washington, Federalist 69
John Adams, Federalist 34
All others 35

Others receiving votes included...

John Jay, Federalist 9
John Rutledge, Federalist 6
John Hancock, Federalist 4
George Clinton, Anti-federalist 3

The electors, who were selected on January 7, 1789, met in their respective states as is required by the United States Constitution.

By the rules of that time, the runner-up became Vice-President.  John Adams, thus, became Vice-President elect.

Adams matched Washington's vote total in only two states, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Electors from eleven states participated in the voting.

Because North Carolina and Rhode Island had not yet ratified the Constitution, those states were not represented while New York did not send their electors.

SOURCE

"The Papers of George Washington," www.gwpapers.virginia.edu/


THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE REVISITED

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) The Electoral College has been the subject of much controversy over the years.  There are some, even today, who would argue that it should be abolished.  

If the popular vote had been the sole means of determination of a winner, Tennessee's own Albert Gore, Jr. would have been the 43rd United States President.

So why did our Founding Fathers, who are rightly honored by their descendants today, establish the College in the first place?

According to William C. Kimberling, Deputy Director of the FEC Office of Election Administration, the Founding Fathers realized that the 13 states were...

"jealous of their own rights and powers and suspicious of any central...government."

It was also a factor that people of that day believed political parties to be "downright evil"* and that "gentlemen should not campaign for...office."

*This is partially true today as some Americans tend to believe their own political party is fine, it's just the other one that is 'downright evil.'

So it wasn't that the Founding Fathers thought the people were ignorant, but...

 "feared without sufficient information...(they) would naturally vote for a 'favorite son' from their own...state."

In that case, the state with the larger populations would have a distinct advantage.

The idea of the electoral college was not really new, it can be traced back to the days of the Roman Empire.

Accordingly, ARTICLE II, SECTION I of the United States Constitution sets up an Electoral College with the total number of electors from each state being the total of their number of senators + representatives.

It provides for a winner take all system where the candidate with the majority of the popular vote in a state receives ALL electoral votes of that state.

Further, each elector initially had two votes, one of which had to be for a candidate outside their own state.  

There was no voting put in place for Vice-President, but the runner-up in the electoral vote would become VP.

The votes of the electoral college, meeting separately in each state, were sealed and delivered to the President of the Senate who was to open and read the results to a joint session of Congress.

The "first design," as Mr. Kimberling refers to it, of the Electoral College was in effect for the first four presidential elections.

In 1800, however, there was a TIE between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson forcing the House of Representatives to determine the outcome.

The 12th Amendment** (1804) reduced the vote of each elector to ONE for President and ONE for Vice-President.

Mr. Kimberling tells us that...

"the fundamental workings of the Electoral College...have not (been) further altered since the 12th Amendment."

**Tennessee ratified the 12th Amendment a month after it became law of the land on June 15, 1804.

SOURCE

"The Electoral College," by William C. Kimberling, Deputy Director FEC Office of Election Administration, May 1992. www.fec.gov/pdf/eleccoll.pdf


MOTHER OF CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT BORN 101 YEARS AGO 

Tuskegee, Alabama (JFK+50) Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, the acknowledged mother of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, was born here in Tuskegee 101 years ago today, February 4, 1913.

                   Congressional Gold Medal

Mrs. Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated public bus in Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955.

Her arrest set off a bus boycott that led to desegregation of public transportation in the city.

Rosa Parks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and a statue in the US Capitol's Statuary Hall.

Upon her death at the age of 92 in 2005, Rosa Parks became the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.