"NIXON'S AN ABLE MAN, BUT HE'S NUTS!"

NIXON CONCEDES CALIFORNIA GOVERNORS RACE, GIVES 'LAST' PRESS CONFERENCE

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) On November 7, 1962, former Vice-President Richard M. Nixon conceded that he had lost the California governorship race to Pat Brown*.  Just two years earlier, Nixon had lost the presidential race to John F. Kennedy.

Appearing before one hundred reports at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Mr. Nixon gave what he himself would describe as "my last press conference."

Although Richard Nixon (Republican) was favored in the California race, he lost by a five percent margin.  He said...

"...all the members of the press are so delighted that I have lost."

Nixon continued...

"You won't have Nixon to kick around any more, because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference."

JFK+50 NOTE

In a private recorded telephone conversation with President Kennedy following Nixon's "last press conference," Pat Brown said..."I don't see how he can ever recover.  He is an able man, but he's nuts!"

Richard Nixon overcame the 1960 & 1962 defeats, defied the odds & was elected POTUS in November 1968.  Re-elected in 1972, he fell from grace as a result of the Watergate scandal & became the 1st president to resign the office in 1974.

*Edmund Gerald 'Pat' Brown (1905-1996) was born in San Francisco & graduated from SF Law School.  EGB was DA for SF 1944-1951, AG of California 1951-1959 & Gov of California 1959-1967.

SOURCE

"Richard Nixon Concedes," This Day in History, www.history.com/

Nixon by Rockwell

1968

National Portrait Gallery

www.flickr.com/

REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY SAY, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP CHECKERS

NIXON RESPONDS TO CHARGES OF ILLEGAL USE OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS

Hollywood, California (JFK+50) On September 23, 1952, Senator Richard M. Nixon gave the speech that is said to have saved his political career.  It was during the 1952 Presidential election campaign when Mr. Nixon was on the Republican ticket as Dwight D. Eisenhower's running mate.

The California senator had been accused of taking $18,000 in campaign funds for his personal use.  Nixon decided to make an appeal directly to the American people via television & radio.  He spoke from the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood.

The Senator denied the charge and because he referred to his daughters' black & white cocker spaniel dog named 'Checkers', it became known as the "Checkers" speech.Senator Nixon said...

"The kids, like all kids, love the dog & I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we're going to keep it."

At the close of the 30 minute speech, which was seen or heard by an audience of 60 million, Nixon asked the American people to help the Republican National Committee decide whether or not he should stay on the ticket.

The RNC was flooded with more than 4 million letters & other communications.  They favored Nixon by 75 to 1.  It made Ike's decision an easy one.  Eisenhower kept Richard Milhous Nixon as his Vice-Presidential running mate....and the rest is history.

IN AMERICA WE LIKE TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR WOMEN

KHRUSHCHEV & NIXON FACE OFF IN KITCHEN DEBATE

Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) On July 24, 1959, Premier Nikita Khrushchev of the USSR and Vice President Richard Nixon of the USA squared off in an informal debate at the American National Exhibition* here in Moscow.

The superpowers had agreed to display exhibits as part of a cultural exchange program.  The Soviet exhibit opened in New York in 1958. The American exhibit in Moscow included a complete house filled with modern kitchen appliances.

As they came to the kitchen display, the Vice-President said...

"This is our newest model.  This is the kitchen which is built in thousands of units for direct installations in the houses.  In America, we like to make life easier for women."

The Premier replied...

"Your capitalistic attitude toward women does not occur under communism."

*American National Exhibition was held in Sokol'niki Park in Moscow in the summer of 1959.  ANE included displays of American home appliances, television & hi-fidelity equipment as well as cars & boats.  The purpose of the exhibit was to improve relations between the superpowers.

SOURCE

"The Kitchen Debate," www.teachingamericanhistory.org/

Khrushchev and Nixon 

Kitchen Debate

July 24, 1959

RICHARD NIXON

January 9, 1913

Richard Milhous Nixon is born in Yorba Linda, California.  4 of the 5 Nixon male children are named after English kings.  The future 37th US President is named after "Richard the Lionheart".

Nixon is elected to Congress in 1946.  In 1952, he becomes Vice-President. In 1960, Nixon loses to JFK but in 1968 he wins the Presidency.  

Re-elected in 1972, Nixon is discredited by "Watergate" & resigns in 1974.

January 9, 1945

The US Sixth Army under General Douglas MacArthur invades LUZON in the Philippine Islands.  The Japanese had been in control of Luzon since May 1942.

January 9, 1952

President Truman gives his State of the Union message to Congress.  He warns the nation of the dangers in the "Cold War".  He says Americans are "moving through a perilous time" & calls for strong action against the threat of communism.

January 9,  1776


Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" is published.  

The date of publication is based on an ad in the "Pennsylvania Evening Post", January 9, 1776 which states: "This day was published and is now selling by Robert Bell, "Common Sense".  

Paine calls for an "immediate declaration of independence" from Great Britain.  He writes:


"Europe, not England, is the parent country of America.  This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe."


January 9, 1806

Lord Horatio Nelson is buried at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.  The British naval hero was killed aboard his ship, HMS Victory, during the Battle of Trafalgar off the coast of Spain.

He lost his life in a victory that saved Britain from a French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars.  A monument to Lord Nelson was later erected in London's "Trafalgar Square".