U.S.S. SEQUOIA COMMISSIONED 81 YEARS AGO
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 81 years ago today, March 25, 1933, the United States Navy commissioned the U.S.S. Sequoia which would be in the service of the President of the United States.
For two years previous to commissioning, the Sequoia was used by President Herbert Hoover as a fishing boat.
Because of his confinement to a wheelchair, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had an elevator installed between the upper and lower decks of the yacht.
President Lyndon B. Johnson, who saw little need for the elevator, had it removed during his term and in its place was built a liquor bar.
LBJ also enjoyed sitting on the deck at night having movies projected on the Sequoia's white smokestack.
www.sequoiayacht.com says that John F. Kennedy...
"was perhaps the crew's favorite President"
because of his youth, service in the Navy, and love of the sea.
Mr. Kennedy had some meetings associated with the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the vessel and also celebrated his 46th birthday on the Sequoia.
President Jimmy Carter was the last President to use the yacht. It was sold to a private firm in 1977.
MLK LED ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION 47 YEARS AGO
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was in Chicago 47 years ago today, March 25, 1967, to lead a demonstration of 5000 anti-Vietnam War protesters.
In his speech at the demonstration, Dr. King said...
"(The Vietnam War is a)....blasphemy against all that America stands for."
Dr. King first spoke out against the war in the summer of 1965.
He opposed the war not only on moral grounds, but also because he believed it diverted money and attention from domestic programs to help America's poor.
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FIRE WAS 103 YEARS AGO TODAY
New York City (JFK+50) A century and 3 years ago today, March 25, 1911, a tragedy of epic proportions struck the heart of Manhattan when a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
The factory, located on the top 3 floors of the 10 story Asch Building, was crammed with poor immigrant workers who were trapped by the fire.
Only 1 of 4 elevators in the building were functional and 1 of the 2 stairwells leading to street level was locked.
The fire escape was in disrepair.
Many of the 600 workers, mostly women, panicked and some jumped to their deaths out of windows or down the elevator shaft.
The tragedy led to passage of laws and regulations for workers' safety.
Firefighters work the Triangle Fire
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 81 years ago today, March 25, 1933, the United States Navy commissioned the U.S.S. Sequoia which would be in the service of the President of the United States.
For two years previous to commissioning, the Sequoia was used by President Herbert Hoover as a fishing boat.
Because of his confinement to a wheelchair, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had an elevator installed between the upper and lower decks of the yacht.
President Lyndon B. Johnson, who saw little need for the elevator, had it removed during his term and in its place was built a liquor bar.
LBJ also enjoyed sitting on the deck at night having movies projected on the Sequoia's white smokestack.
www.sequoiayacht.com says that John F. Kennedy...
"was perhaps the crew's favorite President"
because of his youth, service in the Navy, and love of the sea.
Mr. Kennedy had some meetings associated with the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the vessel and also celebrated his 46th birthday on the Sequoia.
President Jimmy Carter was the last President to use the yacht. It was sold to a private firm in 1977.
USS Sequoia
MLK LED ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATION 47 YEARS AGO
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was in Chicago 47 years ago today, March 25, 1967, to lead a demonstration of 5000 anti-Vietnam War protesters.
In his speech at the demonstration, Dr. King said...
"(The Vietnam War is a)....blasphemy against all that America stands for."
Dr. King first spoke out against the war in the summer of 1965.
He opposed the war not only on moral grounds, but also because he believed it diverted money and attention from domestic programs to help America's poor.
Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FIRE WAS 103 YEARS AGO TODAY
New York City (JFK+50) A century and 3 years ago today, March 25, 1911, a tragedy of epic proportions struck the heart of Manhattan when a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.
The factory, located on the top 3 floors of the 10 story Asch Building, was crammed with poor immigrant workers who were trapped by the fire.
Only 1 of 4 elevators in the building were functional and 1 of the 2 stairwells leading to street level was locked.
The fire escape was in disrepair.
Many of the 600 workers, mostly women, panicked and some jumped to their deaths out of windows or down the elevator shaft.
The tragedy led to passage of laws and regulations for workers' safety.
Firefighters work the Triangle Fire
