"FIRST LADY OF THE WORLD" LAID TO REST
Hyde Park, New York (JFK+50) Eleanor Roosevelt, who died on November 7 at the age of 78, was laid to rest today in the rose garden of the Roosevelt estate beside her late husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Funeral services, held at St. James Church, were attended by President & Mrs. John F. Kennedy.
Upon receiving news of Mrs. Roosevelt's death, the President issued the following statement:
"One of the great leaders in the history of this country has passed. Her loss will be deeply felt by all those who admire her tireless idealism. She has been an inspiration & a friend."
JFK Visits Eleanor Roosevelt
at her home "Val-Kill"
Hyde Park, New York
National Park Service Photo
After FDR's death, Mrs. Roosevelt was appointed as a delegate to the United Nations by President Truman.
She served in that capacity from 1945 to 1952 during which time she chaired a committee which issued "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights" & earned the title "First Lady of the World".
Eleanor Roosevelt
"First Lady of the World"
FDR Memorial
Washington, D.C.
Photo by John White (2003)
November 10, 1964
McNAMARA SAYS US HAS NO PLANS TO SEND COMBAT TROOPS TO SOUTH VIETNAM
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara said at a news conference today that the United States has no plans to send combat forces to South Vietnam.
The US military role to this point has been on an "advisory" basis but American soldiers have come under fire & there have been casualties.
The Secretary was asked if the U.S. is planning to increase its military activities in Southeast Asia.
Mr. McNamara responded "wait & see."
Vietnam Memorial
Washington, D.C.
Photo by John White (2003)
November 10, 1865
ANDERSONVILLE'S COMMANDER IS HANGED
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Henry Wirz, commander of the Andersonville Prison Camp in Georgia, was executed today having been found guilty of "conspiracy to injure the health & lives of Union soldiers & murder."
Henry Wirz
Wirz, 41 years old, commanded a Confederate prison for Union prisoners of war that was designed to hold 10,000 but was overflowing with more than 3 times that number.
Born in Zurich, Switzerland, Wirz emigrated to the United States & established a medical practice in Kentucky. He then moved to Louisiana.
Wirz, condemned to death, wrote a letter to President Andrew Johnson asking for clemency but the letter went unanswered.
Wirz was hanged at One 1st Street, NE (the present site of the US Supreme Court Building).
He will be buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery here in Washington.*
*Wirz was one of two men tried, convicted & executed for war crimes during the Civil War.
Execution of Henry Wirz
Washington, D.C.
November 10, 1865
Photo by Alexander Gardner
Library of Congress Photo