"1ST RELATIVE TO SERVE IN THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET"

RFK RESIGNS AS ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 3, 1964, Robert Francis Kennedy* resigned as Attorney General of the United States.  Bob Kennedy was the first relative of a Chief Executive to serve in the cabinet and was criticized for his lack of legal experience.

President-elect John F. Kennedy, RFK's older brother, joked with reporters at the time of the announcement of Bob's appointment that he saw nothing wrong with giving his brother some legal experience "before he goes out to practice law."

RFK also announced that Stephen E. Smith** would be his campaign manager in a bid for the United States Senate representing New York.

*Robert Francis Kennedy (1925-1968) was born in Brookline, Massachusetts & earned his law degree from the University of Virginia.  RFK, at age 36, became the youngest cabinet member since Alexander Hamilton & served as AGUS 1961-1964.  Bobby served in the US Senate (D-NY) 1965-1968. 

**Stephen Edward Smith (1927-1990) graduated from Georgetown University & served in the Korean War.  SES managed Joe Kennedy, Sr.'s investments & was working as JFK's 1964 re-election campaign manager at the time of the assassination.  SES was the husband of JFK's sister, Jean.

 

 

Robert F. Kennedy

Photo by Yoichi R. Okamoto (1964)

LBJ Library Image 

"I WANT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO STAND FOR HOPE INSTEAD OF DESPAIR, FOR RECONCILIATION INSTEAD OF WAR"

RFK ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 16, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy* (D-New York), announced his candidacy for President of the United States here in the Nation's Capital.

Senator Kennedy said...

"I am today announcing my candidacy for the presidency of the United States.  I do not run...merely to oppose any man but to propose new policies.

I run because I am convinced that this country is on a perilous course.  I run to seek (an) end (to) the bloodshed in Vietnam and in our cities...to close the gaps....between black and white...rich and poor...young and old...

I want the Democratic Party...to stand for hope instead of despair, for reconciliation...instead of war.

My decision reflects no...disrespect toward President Johnson.  He served President Kennedy with loyalty...

At stake is not simply the leadership of our party and even our country.  It is our right to moral leadership of this planet."

*Robert Francis Kennedy (1925-1968) was born in Brookline, MA & served in the US Naval Reserve in WWII.  RFK was educated at Harvard & received his law degree  at the University of Virginia.

Bobby managed brother Jack's campaigns for the U.S. Senate & the Presidency. He served as chief counsel for the McCarthy committee on investigations, Attorney-General (1961-1963) & U.S. Senator (1965-1968).

SOURCE

"Announcement of Candidacy for President," Washington, D.C., March 16, 1968, RFK HUMAN RIGHTS, www.rfkhumanrights.org/

"I DREAM THINGS THAT NEVER WERE AND SAY WHY NOT"

ROBERT F. KENNEDY BORN IN BROOKLINE

Brookline, Massachusetts (JFK+50) On November 20, 1925, Robert Francis Kennedy was born here in Brookline.  RFK was the seventh child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.

Like his older brothers Joe Jr. and Jack, Bobby Kennedy served in the United States Navy in WWII.  He earned a degree in government from Harvard in 1948.  In 1950, Robert F. Kennedy married Ethel Skakel of Greenwich, Connecticut.

A year later, RFK received a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School and in 1952 served as manager for John F. Kennedy's successful campaign for the Senate.  The following year, Bob was on the staff of Joseph McCarthy's subcommittee on investigations and later was chief counsel for the Senate Rackets Committee.

In 1960, RFK managed Jack's successful presidential campaign and in 1961 became President Kennedy's attorney general.  In that position, the JFK Library says that Bobby became JFK's "closest adviser and confidant."

After JFK's death, RFK was elected as a United States senator from the state of New York.  In 1968, after having won the California primary in a bid to win the Democratic nomination for President, Robert F. Kennedy was shot in Los Angeles.

RFK died on June 6, 1968 and was laid to rest in the Kennedy plot at Arlington National Cemetery.   During his presidential campaign, RFK spoke out against the war in Vietnam and championed the cause of the poor and downtrodden.  In most of his speeches he paraphrased the words of George Bernard Shaw by saying....

'Some men see things as they are and say why.  I dream things that never were and say, why not?'

J. Edgar Hoover RFK

May 7, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Image

  

NOW ITS ON TO CHICAGO & LET'S WIN THERE

RFK WINS CALIFORNIA PRIMARY

Los Angeles (JFK+50) 50 years ago today, June 4, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy* of New York won the Democratic California Primary defeating Senator Eugene J. McCarthy** of Minnesota by a margin of 4%.

Just after midnight, the Senator arrived in the Embassy Ballroom at the Ambassador Hotel here in Los Angeles to speak to his supporters and the nation.

Senator Kennedy said...

"I think we can end the divisions within the United States.  What I think is quite clear is that we can work together.  We are a great country, a selfless and a compassionate country.  Now it's on to Chicago, and let's win there."

After RFK left the podium, he exited through the hotel pantry and the rest is history.

*Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968) was born in Brookline, Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard and the University of Virginia School of Law.  RFK was manager of JFK's 1952 Senate and 1960 Presidential campaigns.  He served as Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and as US Senator 1965-1968.

**Eugene J. McCarthy (1916-2005) was born in Watkins, Minnesota and graduated from St. John's University and the University of Minnesota.  He taught in public schools 1935-40  and was professor at St. John's 1940-43.

McCarthy served in the House of Representatives 1949-1959 and in the Senate 1959-1971.  He died of complications of Parkinson's disease in Georgetown.

SOURCE

"Robert Kennedy, Shot, Killed in Los Angeles", June 16, 1968, www.newsweek.com/

Senator Robert Francis Kennedy

(D) New York

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOBBY

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1772

RFK WOULD HAVE BEEN 90 YEARS OLD TODAY

Brookline, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The seventh child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., Robert Francis Kennedy was born ninety years ago today, on November 20, 1925 in here  Brookline, Massachusetts.  

Like his older brothers Joe Jr. and Jack, Bobby Kennedy served in the United States Navy in WWII.  He earned a degree in government from Harvard in 1948.  In 1950, Robert F. Kennedy married Ethel Skakel of Greenwich, Connecticut.

A year later, RFK received a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School and in 1952 served as manager for John F. Kennedy's successful campaign for the Senate.

In 1953, Bob was on the staff of Joseph McCarthy's subcommittee on investigations and later was Chief Counsel for the Senate Rackets Committee.

In 1960, RFK managed Jack's successful presidential campaign and in 1961 became President Kennedy's attorney general.  In that position, the JFK Library says that Bobby became JFK's "closest adviser and confidant."

After JFK's death, RFK was elected as a United States senator from the state of New York.  In 1968, after having won the California primary in a bid to win the Democratic nomination for President, Robert F. Kennedy was shot in Los Angeles.

RFK died on June 6, 1968 and was laid to rest in the Kennedy plot at Arlington National Cemetery.   During his presidential campaign, RFK spoke out against the war in Vietnam and championed the cause of the poor and downtrodden.  In most of his speeches he paraphrased the words of George Bernard Shaw by saying....


'Some men see things as they are and say why.  I dream things that never were and say, why not?'

J. Edgar Hoover RFK

May 7, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Image

ROBERT F. KENNEDY

ROBERT F. KENNEDY WAS BORN 89 YEARS AGO TODAY

Brookline, Massachusetts (JFK+50) The seventh child of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., Robert Francis Kennedy was born 89 years ago today, on November 20, 1925 in here  Brookline, Massachusetts.  

Like his older brothers Joe Jr. and Jack, Bobby Kennedy served in the United States Navy in WWII.  He earned a degree in government from Harvard in 1948.  In 1950, Robert F. Kennedy married Ethel Skakel of Greenwich, Connecticut.

A year later, RFK received a law degree from the University of Virginia Law School and in 1952 served as manager for John F. Kennedy's successful campaign for the Senate.

In 1953, Bob was on the staff of Joseph McCarthy's subcommittee on investigations and later was Chief Counsel for the Senate Rackets Committee.

In 1960, RFK managed Jack's successful presidential campaign and in 1961 became President Kennedy's attorney general.  In that position, the JFK Library says that Bobby became JFK's "closest adviser and confidant."

Bobby, Ted and JFK

August 28, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

NARA Image

After JFK's death, RFK was elected as a United States senator from the state of New York.  In 1968, after having won the California primary in a bid to win the Democratic nomination for President, Robert F. Kennedy was shot in Los Angeles.

RFK died on June 6, 1968 and was laid to rest in the Kennedy plot at Arlington National Cemetery.  He was 42 years old.

During his presidential campaign, RFK spoke out against the war in Vietnam and championed the cause of the poor and downtrodden.

In most of his speeches he paraphrased the words of George Bernard Shaw by saying....

'Some men see things as they are and say why.  I dream things that never were and say, why not?'

J. Edgar Hoover RFK

May 7, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Image

SIRHAN SENTENCED TO DEATH

RFK ASSASSIN SENTENCED TO DEATH PENALTY 45 YEARS AGO 

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) 45 years ago today, April 23, 1969, Sirhan Sirhan, who shot Senator Robert F. Kennedy of New York on June 5, 1968, was given the death penalty.

Senator Kennedy, formerly Attorney General for President John F. Kennedy, ran for the Democratic nomination for President in 1968. 

RFK announced his candidacy by saying...

"I run not to oppose any man, but to propose new policies."  

Bob Kennedy was particularly concerned about the war in Vietnam.

After winning the California Primary on June 4, RFK had just completed a short victory speech in the ballroom of the Ambassador Hotel here in Los Angeles when he was shot.

In 1972, California abolished the Death Penalty and Sirhan's sentence was changed to Life. 

 He continues to serve his sentence today.

        RFK Assassin, Sirhan Sirhan


CASTRO FREES LAST BAY OF PIGS PRISONERS

Havana, Cuba (JFK+50) 51 years ago today, April 23, 1963, Premier Fidel Castro,  communist dictator of Cuba, freed the last group of prisoners of war taken at the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961.

Attorney General Robert Kennedy called on Cuban exiles to form a unified group for more effective interaction with the administration on Cuban policy.

                          Fidel Castro

COSMONAUT DIED 47 YEARS AGO TODAY

Moscow (JFK+50) 47 years ago today, April 23, 1967, Soviet Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov lost his life as the parachute which was to bring him safely back to earth failed to deploy.

Komarov, who made his 1st space journey in 1964, had completed 24 hours and 16 orbits aboard Soyuz I when he experienced problems on re-entry to the earth's atmosphere.

He made two additional orbits, re-entered successfully, but his previous issues had caused the parachute to jam.  

At 23,000 feet the chute failed to deploy and the spacecraft plunged to the earth.

Mr. Komarov was cremated and his ashes were buried in the Kremlin Wall.

   Soviet Comonaut Vladimir Komarov