"NOW MY WIFE & I PREPARE FOR A NEW ADMINISTRATION & A NEW BABY"

JOHN F. KENNEDY IS PRESIDENT-ELECT

Hyannisport, Massachusetts (JFK+50)  On November 9, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy was declared the winner of the Election of 1960 and became the President-elect of the United States of America.

JFK learned of the outcome when his 3 year old daughter, Caroline, came running into his bedroom with the news.  John F. Kennedy would be sworn in as the 35th President on January 20, 1961.

The President-elect made his first public statement later at the Armory here in Hyannisport.  Accompanied by his family, Mr. Kennedy received a standing ovation from the press corps as he stepped up onto the stage. 

After reading the text of telegrams from both Vice-President Richard M. Nixon and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, JFK said...

"To all Americans I say that the next 4 years are going to be difficult and challenging years for all of us.   The election may have been a close one, but I think that there is general agreement by all of our citizens that a supreme national effort will be needed in the years ahead to move this country safely through the 1960s.

I ask your help in this effort & I can assure you that every degree of mind and spirit that I possess will be devoted to the long-range interests of the United States and the cause of freedom around the world.  So now my wife & I prepare for a new administration and for a new baby."
        

JFK+50 CELEBRATES 9TH ANNIVERSARY

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) JFK+50 celebrates its 9th anniversary today.
JFK+50's 1st posting was on November 9, 2010, 50 years to the day after John F. Kennedy was declared the winner of the Election of 1960.

In our 1st year, we had 352 postings with 78,000 visitors from 176 countries and 12,175 cities.

Today, as we begin our 10th year, JFK+50 has a total of more than 3200 postings with 875,000+ page views.

We continue to be gratified by the number of visitors to our blog from every nation in the world.  

Thank you for your continued interest in John F. Kennedy.

John White

BECAUSE IT'S TOO LATE TO CHANGE ANOTHER VOTE

JFK+50 CELEBRATES SEVEN YEARS 

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50)  Seven years ago, November 9, 2010, JFK+50's first blog post came 50 years to the day after Senator John F. Kennedy was declared the winner of the Election of 1960*.

May 29th of this year marked the 100th anniversary of JFK's birth and this year has also seen the release of many declassified JFK assassination documents by the National Archives.

We thank all the visitors to JFK+50 and appreciate the continued interest in our 35th President.

*Although voting was done on November 8, the electoral vote was not finalized until the following morning.

JFK DECLARED PRESIDENT-ELECT

Hyannisport, Massachusetts (JFK+50)  Fifty-seven years ago today, Senator John F. Kennedy was declared the winner of the Election of 1960.  It was one of the closest presidential elections in United States history.

Having worked through the night at headquarters of the home of his brother and campaign manger, Robert F. Kennedy, the Senator turned in just before 4 a.m.

When close friend and political aide Dave Powers asked, "Jack, how can you go to bed now?", the candidate answered "Because it's too late to change another vote."

After just a few hours sleep, JFK was awakened by his 3 year old daughter Caroline who came running into his bedroom with the news that he had won. 

The President-elect made his first public statement on November 9, 1960 at the Armory here in Hyannisport.    

Accompanied by his family, Mr. Kennedy received a standing ovation from the press corps as he stepped onto the stage.

JFK Bumper Sticker 1960

JFK Library Image

PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1769

JFK DECLARED PRESIDENT-ELECT 55 YEARS AGO

Hyannisport, Massachusetts (JFK+50)  Fifty-five years ago today, Senator John F. Kennedy was declared the winner of the Presidential Election of 1960.  It was one of the closest elections in history.

The Senator turned in just before 4 a.m. having worked through the night at his campaign headquarters at the home of his brother and campaign manger, Robert F. Kennedy.

JFK learned of the outcome when his three year old daughter, Caroline, came running into his bedroom with the news.  He would be inaugurated on January 20, 1961 as the 35th President. At age 43, John F. Kennedy became the youngest elected Chief Executive in American history. 

According to Chris Matthews, a detail from the Secret Service showed up in Hyannis at 5:45 a.m. and the agents already "knew the names, faces and roles of each of Kennedy's people."  When JFK "greeted and thanked his top political aides (Kenny) O'Donnell and (Larry) O'Brien" that morning, (the President-elect)...struck them both as a different man."

 The President-elect made his first public statement on November 9, 1960 at the Armory here in Hyannisport.    Accompanied by his family, Mr. Kennedy received an unprecedented standing ovation from the press corps as he stepped up onto the stage.After reading the text of telegrams from both Vice-President Richard M. Nixon and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, JFK said...

"To all Americans I say that the next 4 years are going to be difficult and challenging years for all of us.  

The election may have been a close one, but I think that there is general agreement by all of our citizens that a supreme national effort will be needed in the years ahead to move this country safely through the 1960s.

I ask your help in this effort and I can assure you that every degree of mind and spirit that I possess will be devoted to the long-range interests of the United States and the cause of freedom around the world.

So now my wife and I prepare for a new administration and for a new baby."

SOURCE

"Jack Kennedy, Elusive Hero," by Chris Matthews, Simon and Shuster, New York, 2011.

JFK+50 BEGINS SIXTH YEAR

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Five years ago today, November 9, 2010, we began writing this JFK+50 blog.  We have considered it an honor and blessing to be able to share our interest in President John F. Kennedy and as we begin our sixth year would like to thank all of you who have visited and particularly those who have done so on a regular basis.

KENNEDY ELECTED!

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1768

JFK ELECTED PRESIDENT 55 YEARS AGO TODAY

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50)  Fifty-five years ago today, November 8, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was elected 35th President of the United States.

JFK was to be inaugurated on January 20, 1961 the youngest elected President in history as well as the first of the Roman Catholic faith.  The Election of 1960 was the closest presidential contest in the 20th century. Vice-President Richard M. Nixon won 26 states with 219 electoral votes while Senator Kennedy carried 22 states with 303 electoral votes

Vice-Presidential nominees were Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. for the Republicans and Lyndon B. Johnson for the Democrats. The KENNEDY-JOHNSON ticket received 34,220,984 or 49.72% of the popular vote  while the NIXON-LODGE ticket won 34,108,157 or 49.55%.

Harry F. Byrd, segregationist Senator of Virginia, running with Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, won 15 electoral votes.

The Vice-President watched returns from his suite at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.  Senator Kennedy, meanwhile, was at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

JFK built an early lead with returns coming from urban centers, but RMN came from behind as later returns came in from rural areas and the West.  Although Mr. Nixon spoke to his supporters at 3 a.m., he did not concede the election at that time.

Senator Kennedy went to bed after Nixon's appearance without knowing the final result.  When Dave Powers asked him how he could do that, JFK said..."Because it's too late to change any votes."

Mr. Kennedy learned of his victory the next morning when his 6 year old daughter Caroline came running in to his bedroom with the good news.

The President-elect's first public appearance came on November 9, 1960 when he spoke briefly at the Hyannis Port Armory accompanied by his wife, Jacqueline, his father and mother, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and other family members.

JFK Bumper Sticker 1960

JFK Library Image

SUMMER WEEKEND AT HYANNIS

KENNEDYS HOST GLENN FAMILY AT HYANNISPORT

Hyannisport, Massachusetts (JFK+50) NASA astronaut John Glenn along with his wife and family were entertained 52 years ago today, July 22, 1962, by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy here at the summer White House in Hyannisport*.

Victura

JFK Library

Photo by John White (1986)^

^Originally from a slide taken from my Minolta SRT101.

Members of the Glenn family were taken on cruises and enjoyed water skiing.

The President, unfortunately, had a mishap when his sailboat, Victura**, ran aground near the family compound and also when the mainsail collapsed during relaunch.

Victura

JFK Library

Photo by John White (1986)

*Hyannisport is a small village located in Barnstable and Hyannis, MA.  The residential community has a population of 115 with 193 housing units, although the majority are unoccupied much of the time due to seasonal use.

HP is the location of the Kennedy Compound which includes the home on Nantucket Sound once owned by Mr. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.  The main house was donated in 2012 to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.

JFK Sailing on the Victura

Mural at the JFK Library

Photo by John White (1986)

**James W. Graham has written a book just recently published by Fore Edge, University Press of New England titled "Victura:  The Kennedys, a Sailboat and the Sea."  Mr. Graham writes...

"To truly understand the dynamics and magic of the Kennedy family, one must understand the intense relationship with sailing and the sea."

          

ROSE FITZGERALD BORN IN BOSTON 

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The mother of the 35th President of the United States, Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald Kennedy, was born 124 years ago today, July 22, 1890 at 4 Garden Court Street here in Boston's North End.

Rose's parents were John F. and Mary Josephine Fitzgerald.  Rose studied piano at the New England Conservatory and attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Manhattanville, New York.

Rose met Joe Kennedy in Old Orchard, Maine in 1906 and after a long courtship, Rose married Joseph P. Kennedy on October 7, 1914. 

Rose later recalled...

"I fell in love when I was seventeen and I never fell out."

Rose's father, John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald, then the Mayor of Boston, did not share his daughter's love for Joe and the wedding ceremony was held in private attended only by family and the closest friends.

The couple began their marriage living in Brookline and would eventually have 9 children,  one of them becoming president and two others becoming United States Senators.  

Rose was a devout Catholic who almost always attended Sunday Mass.  She died at the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port on January 22, 1995.

The funeral was held at St. Stephen's Church on January 24 in Boston's North End where Rose had been born.

Her surviving son, Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy spoke to the 800 people who came to pay their respects to his mother.  He said...

"She has gone to God.  She is home.  And at this moment, she is happily presiding at a heavenly table with both of her Joes, with Jack and Kathleen, with Bobby and David.

And as she did all our lives, whether it was when I walked back through the rain from school as a child, or when a  president who was her son came back to Hyannis Port, she will be there ready to welcome the rest of us home someday."

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, who left behind 30 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren, was buried in Brookline's Holyhood Cemetery next to her husband Joe.

Rose and Jack

December 6, 1962

Photo by Abbie Rowe/JFK Library

JFK Library Photo

JFK MAKES 1ST PUBLIC STATEMENT AS PRESIDENT-ELECT

November  9, 1960

JFK MAKES 1ST PUBLIC STATEMENT AS PRESIDENT-ELECT

Hyannis Port, Massachusetts (JFK+50)  John F. Kennedy made his 1st public statement as President-elect of the United States today at the Armory here in Hyannis.

The President-elect was welcomed by applause from the press corps as he & his family appeared on stage.

           JFK Bumper Sticker 1960
                 JFK Library Image

After reading the text of a telegram from Vice-President Richard M. Nixon & President Dwight D. Eisenhower, JFK said:

"To all Americans I say that the next 4 years are going to be difficult & challenging years for all of us.  The election may have been a close one, but I think that there is general agreement by all of our citizens that a supreme national effort will be needed in the years ahead to move this country safely through the 1960s.

I ask your help in this effort & I can assure you that every degree of mind & spirit that I possess will be devoted to the long-range interests of the United States & the cause of freedom around the world.

So now my wife & I prepare for a new administration & for a new baby.

Thank you."

November  9, 2012

JFK+50 CELEBRATES TWO YEARS

Knoxville, Tennessee (JFK+50) We celebrate our 2nd anniversary today.

JFK+50's 1st posting was on November 9, 2010.  It was 50 years after President-elect John F. Kennedy made his 1st public statement following his election.

In our 1st year, we had 352 postings with 78,000 visitors from 176 countries & 12,175 cities.

After our 2nd year, we have 685 postings with 144,000 visitors from 190 countries & 16,830 cities.

We continue to be gratified by the number of visitors to our blog from so many places in the world & continue to attribute that to the admiration & interest people have in our 35th President.

Thanks to all our visitors.

KENNEDYS HOST JOHN GLENN'S FAMILY FOR WEEKEND AT HYANNIS

July 22, 1962


KENNEDYS HOST JOHN GLENN'S FAMILY FOR WEEKEND AT HYANNIS


Hyannisport, Massachusetts (JFK+50) NASA astronaut John Glenn, his wife & family were entertained today by President & Mrs. Kennedy here at the summer White House.


Members of the Glenn family were taken on cruises & enjoyed water skiing.*


*JFK had a mishap when his sailboat, Victura, ran around near the family compound & also when the mainsail collapsed during relaunch.

Bob Kennedy & Family on the Victura
                   JFK Library Photo


July 22, 1961


CANADIAN PM & JFK LINKED BY MICROWAVE RADIO TRANSMISSION


Hyannisport, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker of Canada called President John F. Kennedy today on a new broadband microwave communications system which crosses Canada & links Alaska to the continental United States.


The Prime Minister said:


"I am very pleased at this opportunity to welcome you again on behalf of the people of Canada."

              John G. Diefenbaker
       Prime Minister of Canada
                    (1957-1963)
   Photo by Paul Horsdal (1962)


July 22, 1959


RFK ACCUSES HOFFA ON JACK PARR


New York City (JFK+50) Robert F. Kennedy made an appearance on the Jack Parr television show tonight. 


Bob Kennedy did not have many nice things to say about Jimmy Hoffa.


Kennedy told Parr & his audience to call or write their congressmen in support of labor reform legislation.


He also leveled harsh accusations against Mr. Hoffa, the president of the Teamsters Union.*


*Oddly while RFK was in the process of giving out the names of labor racketeers associated with Hoffa the audio went out.

July 22, 1956


JFK NARRATES FILM ON HISTORY OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY


Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy today narrated a 20 minute film on the history of the Democratic Party.


The film, directed by MGM's Dore Schary, is to be shown at the 1956 Democratic National Convention.


JFK, following a script that he edited, traces the history of Democrats back to Thomas Jefferson.


July 22, 1938


NUNS FROM SPAIN TAKE REFUGE IN ENGLAND


London, England (JFK+50) 28 nuns from Barcelona, Spain were given refuge today here in England thanks to efforts by US Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.


With the help of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain & the co-operation of the Spanish government, the Nuns were brought to London aboard the British warship Hero.


The nuns will be staying at various Sacred Heart convents in England.


July 22, 1934


PUBLIC ENEMY #1 SHOT DEAD BY G MEN


Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) John Dillinger, labeled as "Public Enemy #1" by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI, was killed by federal agents outside the Biograph Theater this evening.

  
        John Dillinger's Mugshot
                         FBI Photo


Dillinger's gang had robbed 11 banks of $300,000 in just over a year.  The Dillinger Gang is also responsible for the deaths of 7 police officers & 3 federal agents.


Anna Sage, a brothel madam in Chicago & friend of Dillinger's, co-operated with the FBI in tracking him down.


She & Dillinger watched the gangster movie "Manhattan Melodrama" as 20 FBI agents & police officers waited outside.


Sage wore an orange dress to identify herself for the officers.


At 10:40 p.m. as Dillinger & Sage emerged from the theater, officers ordered him to surrender.


Instead he attempted to escape & was shot down in an alley at the end of the block.

               Biograph Theater 
                Chicago, Illinois
                      FBI Photo


July 22, 1862


LINCOLN TELLS CABINET ABOUT EMANCIPATION


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Abraham Lincoln informed his cabinet today at the White House that he intends to emancipate the slaves.


He said he will wait, however, until after a great Union victory to make a public announcement of his Emancipation Proclamation.*


*Obviously, this would not have appeared on this day since he was privately informing his cabinet of his decision.  


The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862 after the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Maryland.  

President Lincoln with his Cabinet