JFK VISITED MONTANA, WASHINGTON STATE AND UTAH ON CONSERVATION TOUR 50 YEARS AGO
Salt Lake City, Utah (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy finished up his day here in Salt Lake City after speaking in Great Falls, Montana, and Hanford, Washington, 50 years ago today, September 26, 1963.
The day's schedule was part of JFK's conservation tour of the United States.
Speaking at the High School Memorial Stadium in Great Falls, JFK said...
"This journey...has been one of the most impressive experiences of my life. (This) journey shows...what a strong, powerful, and resourceful country this is."
And at the Hanford Electric Generating Plant in Washington State, the President said...
"This is an extraordinary place to visit as a citizen and President of the United States because along this river men have played a significant role in the last 20 years which has changed the entire history of the world..."
In his final speech of the day here at the Mormon Tabernacle here in Salt Lake City, President Kennedy said...
"Of all the stories of American pioneers...none is more inspiring than the Mormon trail. The qualities of the founders of this community are the qualities that we seek in America...courage, patience, faith, self-reliance, perseverance, and...an unflagging determination to see the right prevail."
JFK concluded his remarks with these words...
"I think this country will continue its commitments to support the world of freedom, for as we discharge that commitment we are heeding the command which Brigham Young heard from the Lord more than a century ago, the command he conveyed to his followers, 'Go as pioneers...to a land of peace'"
KENNEDY-NIXON DEBATES OPENED 53 YEARS AGO TODAY
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) The 1st televised debate between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice-President Richard M. Nixon during the presidential campaign of 1960 took place 53 years ago tonight, September 26, 1960.
The 1st of 4 face to face debates between the two candidates became the turning point in the campaign resulting in a narrow victory for the young senator from Massachusetts.
On the 50th anniversary of the opening debate, Kayla Webley of Time Magazine published an article titled: "How the Nixon-Kennedy Debate Changed the World."
Ms. Webley wrote...
"On the morning of September 26, 1960, John F. Kennedy was a relatively unknown senator from Massachusetts. He was young and Catholic....and facing off against an incumbent. But by the end of the evening, he was a star."
Seventy four million people tuned in to the debate and most of them believed JFK was the clear winner.
Larry Sabato, author of "The Kennedy Half-Century," wrote...
"Before the television debates, most Americans didn't even see the candidates...they read about them and saw photos of them."
The 1st debate was televised from CBS Studios and broadcast live on CBS, ABC and NBC television networks.
Howard K. Smith was the narrator. Questioners were Bob Fleming, Stuart Novins, Sander Vanocur and Charles Warren.
