JFK GETS HONORARY DEGREE
President John F. Kennedy was presented today with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from George Washington University.
In accepting the honorary degree, JFK noted that his wife, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, graduated with a BA from the university in 1957.
The President quipped:
"My wife beat me to this honor by about 8 or 9 years. It took her 2 years to get this degree & it took me 2 minutes."*
*JFK graduated from Harvard in 1940.
Photo by John W. (2004)
May 3, 1951
MACARTHUR TESTIFIES TO SENATE COMMITTEE
After having been fired as commander of UN forces in Korea, General Douglas MacArthur made an appearance today before a closed session of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
General MacArthur's introductory remarks lasted more than six hours.
He condemned President Harry S Truman's policy of fighting a limited war in Korea. He also said that only through a strategy of complete military destruction of the communist empire could the US hope to win the Cold War.*
*President Truman dismissed General MacArthur for insubordination.
General MacArthur Addresses Congress
May 3, 1946
JAPANESE OFFICIALS GO ON TRIAL IN TOKYO
The International Military Tribunals for the Far East began the trial today for 28 Japanese military & governmental officials, including Hideki Tojo, accused of committing war crimes & crimes against humanity during WWII.
The prosecuting attorney is Joseph B. Keenan of the US, a former assistant Attorney General.
The judge in the trial is Australian William Flood Webb.*
*The trial will end on November 4, 1948 & will result in 25 of the 28 defendants being found guilty.
Hideki Tojo on Trial in Tokyo
May 3, 1942
BATTLE OF CORAL SEA BEGINS
The opening day of the Battle of Coral Sea, fought in between Australia, New Guinea & the Solomon Islands, has resulted in the Japanese occupation of Tulagi in the Solomon Island chain.*
*The Battle of Coral Sea will be the 1st air-naval battle in history as fighting is done by carrier based airplanes.
The Japanese will go on to occupy all of the Solomon Islands, but the battle will be the 1st in which the Japanese navy is turned back.
Later in 1943, Tulagi will be retaken & Lt. j.g. John F. Kennedy will arrive there to take command of the PT109.
The Battle of Coral Sea
May 1942
May 3, 1940
FDR & 1ST LADY WELCOME WOMEN DEMOCRATS
President Franklin D. Roosevelt & First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt welcomed members of the women's division of the Democratic National Committee to the White House today.
Mrs. Roosevelt, a member & leader of the organization, convinced her husband to issue the invitation.
After his welcoming address, FDR invited the group into the White House for an informal tour.
The President said: "Come on in".
Eleanor Roosevelt & JFK
Val-Kill, Hyde Park, NY
1961
