LAIKA: FIRST ANIMAL IN SPACE

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1763

SOVIETS LAUNCH DOG INTO ORBIT

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan (JFK+50) The Soviet Union launched into orbit fifty-eight years ago today, November 3, 1957,  the first animal to go into space, a three year old female dog named Laika*.

Sputnik II was successfully launched from the world's first and largest space center, Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan.

The Soviets believed the mission would pave the way for human spaceflight by providing scientists with important data on how animals respond to the space environment.

Laika was not expected to survive the flight, but her death came hours after launch due to a malfunction in the cooling system which caused the on board temperature to rise to 104 degrees. 

Laika (1954-1957), a stray 3 year old female mongrel found on the streets of Moscow & selected for training as the first animal to fly in space.  One of the technicians who prepared her for launch said..."We kissed her nose & wished her bon voyage, knowing that she would not survive the flight."

Laika paved the way for human space flight & was honored with a monument by the Soviets in 2008.

LBJ ELECTED IN LANDSLIDE

LBJ ELECTED IN LANDSLIDE 50 YEARS AGO TODAY      

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Lyndon Baines Johnson, who assumed the high office upon the death of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, was elected in his own right 50 years ago today, November 3, 1964.

The Texas Democrat won in a landslide over his Republican opponent, Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona.

President Lyndon B. Johnson

     Photo by Yoichi R. Okamoto

   LBJ Library Photo

The final electoral vote tally was 486 to 52.

Goldwater, who was known as Mr. Conservative,  had alienated many, if not most, moderates in his party by voting against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  BG did win 5 states in the Deep South and was the first Republican candidate to carry Georgia in a presidential election.

LBJ was the first Democrat to win Alaska and the first since Woodrow Wilson to carry Maine.  Also, in 1964, Vermont voted Democratic for the 1st time since the party was founded.

Senator Barry Goldwater

Photo by Marion S. Trikosko (1962)

LBJ carried 44 states and the District of Columbia.  The final popular vote total was 43 million to 27 million.  The President won 61.1% of the popular vote and won Tennessee with 55.5% of the vote.

LBJ, who was to be inaugurated for his 1st full term on January 20, 1965, selected Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota as his Vice-Presidential running mate.  Goldwater had chosen William E. Miller for his.

SOVIETS LAUNCH DOG INTO ORBIT  

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan (JFK+50) The USSR launched into orbit 57 years ago today, November 3, 1957,  the first animal to go into space, a 3 year old female dog named Laika.

Sputnik II was successfully launched from the world's first and largest space center, Baikonur Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan.

The Soviets believed the mission would pave the way for human spaceflight by providing scientists with important data on how animals respond to the space environment.

Laika was not expected to survive the flight, but her death came hours after launch due to a malfunction in the cooling system which caused the on board temperature to rise to 104 degrees. 

SOVIETS LAUNCH DOG INTO ORBIT ABOARD SPUTNIK II

 November 3, 1957


SOVIETS LAUNCH DOG INTO ORBIT ABOARD "SPUTNIK II"


Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan (JFK+50) The Soviet Union launched into orbit today the 1st animal to go into space, a 3 year old female dog named "Laika".


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"Sputnik II" was successfully launched from the world's 1st & largest space center, Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The Russians are hopeful this mission will pave the way for human spaceflight by providing scientists with important data on how animals respond to the space environment.*


*Laika was not expected to survive the flight but her death came hours after launch due to a malfunction in the cooling system which caused the on board temperature to rise to 104 degrees F.  This was not made public at the time.


November 3, 1961


JFK HAS NO PLANS TO SEND COMBAT TROOPS TO VIETNAM


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy met with General Maxwell Taylor today at the White House upon Taylor's return from a 3 week fact-finding mission in South Vietnam.


Walt Rostow, Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs, joined in the meeting.

                              Walt Rostow
                  LBJ Library Photo (1967)


After the 2 hour meeting, White House sources confirmed that both the President & General Taylor are in agreement that United States combat troops should not be sent to South Vietnam.


The administration, however, is planning to send additional military "advisers" to train South Vietnamese soldiers in irregular warfare.*

            McNamara, Taylor & JFK
                   JFK Library Photo
                    January 25, 1963


November 3, 1964


LBJ WINS IN LANDSLIDE OVER BARRY GOLDWATER

    President Lyndon B. Johnson
     Photo by Yoichi R. Okamoto
              LBJ Library Photo


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Lyndon Baines Johnson, who assumed the Presidency upon the death of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, was elected today in a historic landslide over his conservative Republican opponent, Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona.


The final electoral vote tally is 486 to 52.


Goldwater carried only 5 states of the Deep South along with his home state of Arizona.

             Senator Barry Goldwater
                         (R) Arizona
  Photo by Marion S. Trikosko (1962)


LBJ carried 44 states & the District of Columbia.


The final popular vote total was 43 million to 27 million.


President Johnson will be inaugurated for his 1st full term on January 20, 1965.


November 3, 1969


NIXON ASKS FOR SUPPORT OF SILENT MAJORITY


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Richard Milhous Nixon spoke on radio & television tonight asking for support of his policies in Vietnam.


Nixon said the United States will continue..."our support for the war in Vietnam."


The President added that "our commitment in Vietnam (continues) until the communists agree to a fair & honorable peace."


Mr. Nixon called upon the "great silent majority" of Americans to support him in his quest for an honorable peace.

                Nixon Confers With LBJ
                         July 26, 1968
           White House Cabinet Room
                  LBJ Library Photo