"KILLED WHILE SERVING AS AN AVIATOR IN WWI"

MRS. THEODORE ROOSEVELT VISITS GRAVE OF SON QUENTIN IN FRANCE

Paris, France (JFK+50) On February 27, 1924, Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt*, widow of the former POTUS, "left for Chateau Thierry...to visit the grave of her son Quentin**."

Quentin Roosevelt was killed while serving as an aviator during the world war in July 1918.  The former First Lady was accompanied by her son Kermit***.

*Edith Kermit (Carow) Roosevelt (1861-1948) was born in Norwich, Connecticut & graduated from Miss Comstock's School, 1879.  Her family were neighbors & friends of TR's family in New York.  EKR served as 1st Lady 1901-1909.

**Quentin Roosevelt (1897-1918) was the youngest son of TR & Edith.  QR was killed in aerial combat over France on July 14, 1918 (Bastille Day).  He is the only child of a POTUS to die in combat.

***Kermit Roosevelt (1889-1943) was born in Oyster Bay, New York & graduated from Harvard College.  KR served in both world wars.  He died by suicide while serving in the US Army in Alaska. 

SOURCE

"Visits Her Son's Grave," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt

Photo by Frances Benjamin Johnston

Library of Congress

LBJ NOMINATED VP BY ACCLAMATION

July 14, 1960


LBJ NOMINATED VP BY ACCLAMATION


Los Angeles (JFK50) 1960 Democratic presidential nominee, Senator John F. Kennedy, surprised many people, including members of his own staff, by offering the Vice-Presidential nomination to Senator Lyndon B. Johnson.


This evening, however, the delegates of the Democratic Convention meeting here in Los Angeles, made LBJ the Vice-Presidential nominee "by acclamation".*


*A question still exists in the minds of some that believe JFK offered the VP slot to LBJ only as a "gesture" not expecting him to accept it.  


Regardless, it is likely JFK would have never defeated Nixon without LBJ on the ticket.

               Panoramic View of the 
       1960 Democratic Convention
                photo by Irv Brent
              Library of Congress 


July 14, 1961


JFK SAYS US WILL SEND HELP TO BRAZIL


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy, after meeting with Dr. Celso Furtado, director of the Developmental Agency for Northeast Brazil, issued a statement saying the United States will send economists & technicians to help reconstruct the economy of the depressed northeastern area of Brazil.


July 14, 1962


JFK WANTS TO SLOW DOWN ARMS RACE


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Kennedy called upon Soviet leaders today to cooperate in a "creative search" for ways to end the arms race.*


*In June 1963 JFK will propose a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.


July 14, 1963


DIVISION BETWEEN SOVIETS & CHINESE GROWS


Moscow (JFK+50) Representatives from the People's Republic of China & the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics continued their discussions today here in Moscow.


Reports indicate that the division between the two communist nations is growing.


The Soviet representatives issued a statement saying that "peaceful coexistence" with the West in the atomic age is "necessary".


July 14, 1953


SENATOR KENNEDY BACK IN HOSPITAL


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts has been sent back to the hospital today.


The young senator has had a recurrence of malaria which he contracted during his service in the Solomon Islands during WWII.


Senator Kennedy is "resting comfortably" at the George Washington University Hospital in Georgetown.


July 14, 1918


QUENTIN ROOSEVELT SHOT DOWN IN FRANCE


France (JFK+50) Former President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Quentin, was shot down over the Marne River in France today by a German aircraft.


Second Lieutenant Roosevelt of the 95th Aero Squadron, TR's 4th son, was killed according to reports.


The young Roosevelt was engaged to Flora Payne Whitney, the granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt.


TR had asked President Wilson to allow him to serve in the war but when the request was turned down, TR sent his sons in his place.


The former President is devastated by the news of his son's passing.*


*Someone said: "Finally, the little boy in Teddy Roosevelt, died." 

                 2nd Lt. Quentin Roosevelt
                      95th Aero Squadron


July 14, 1881


BILLY THE KID SHOT DEAD BY PAT GARRETT


New Mexico Territory (JFK+50) Henry McCarty, better known as "Billy the Kid", was shot to death today by Sheriff Pat Garrett at the Maxwell Ranch here in the New Mexico Territory.


The "Kid" had escaped jail, killing 2 guards in the process, after he had received a death sentence for murder.

                         Henry McCarty
                     a.k.a. Billy the Kid


July 14, 1789


REVOLUTIONARIES STORM THE BASTILLE


Paris (JFK+50) The Bastille, a royal fortress that symbolizes the tyranny of the French monarchy, was stormed this morning here in Paris.


The mob of French citizens dismantled the fortress.
.
The Bastille was built in 1730 to protect the city of Paris from attack by England.  It later became a prison for political troublemakers & spies.*


*Today July 14 is celebrated throughout France as "La Fete Nationale", a national holiday in honor of the taking of the Bastille.


To all our French visitors & those of French descent: "Happy Bastille Day!"

             Storming of the Bastille
                  July 14, 1789, Paris