JFK VISITS CAPE CANAVERAL
Cape Canaveral, Florida (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy visited Cape Canaveral today where he was briefed on the Gemini space capsule as well as the moon landing program.
JFK was briefed by rocket scientist Dr. Werner von Braun & NASA astronauts Leroy Gordon Cooper & Virgil Gus Grissom.
The President also observed the Titan II & Merritt Island launch pads.
Later, from the deck of the Observation, JFK sees a Polaris missile launch from a submarine.
JFK Welcomed at Cape Canaveral
by General L. Davis
NASA Photograph
November 16, 1962
COURT ORDERS JUSTICE DEPT TO CHARGE MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR ROSS BARNETT
Jackson, Mississippi (JFK+50) A federal district court in New Orleans, Lousiana today ordered the Justice Department to charge Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett & Lt. Governor Paul Johnson for impeding the admission of James Meredith, an African-American, to the University of Mississippi at Oxford.
The Justice Department is headed by JFK's brother, Attorney-General Robert F. Kennedy.*
*Barnett, who served as governor from 1960 to 1964, was a states' rights Democrat. He received an LL.B from Ole Miss in 1929.
The Governor was fined $10,000 & sentenced to jail for contempt, but he never paid the fine nor served the sentence because the ruling was overturned in an Appeals Court.
Paul Johnson, Ross Barnett & W.D. McCain
November 16, 1961
JFK WILL INCREASE MILITARY AID TO SAIGON
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy gave the order today to increase American military aid to South Vietnam.
Although JFK has been concerned about advances made in Southeast Asia by the communist Viet Cong, he has been reluctant to commit US combat forces.
The President is hopeful that the increased military aid will help strengthen the South Vietnamese government & military.*
*On Nov 22, 1963, there were 16,000 US military advisers in South Vietnam.
November 16, 1945
88 NAZI SCIENTISTS ARRIVE IN UNITED STATES
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The United States government today welcomed 88 German scientists who will take part in the American rocket program.
The scientists had previously served Adolf Hitler's Third Reich, but the United States needs their services & wants to keep them from being "snatched away" by the Soviets.
Upon their arrival today, newsmen & photographers were not permitted to ask questions or take photographs.
November 16, 1863
BURNSIDE DEFEATS REBS IN EAST TENNESSEE
Campbell's Station, Tennessee (JFK+50) Confederate soldiers under the command of General James Longstreet were defeated today at Campbell's Station, just outside Knoxville.
Longstreet had been sent to Knoxville from Chattanooga by CSA commander Braxton Bragg.
Bragg hopes that Longstreet's forces will be able to capture the pro-union area for the Confederacy.*
*After the Battle of Campbell's Station, Longstreet took up positions just outside of Knoxville where another battle will soon take place.
