UN CHARTER SIGNED IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco (JFK+50) The charter of the United Nations was signed 69 years ago today, June 26, 1945, here in San Francisco by representatives of 48 nations.
The UN Charter provided for a General Assembly composed of representatives from each member nation and a Security Council which would include representatives of China, France, Great Britain, United States and Soviet Union.
John F. Kennedy, a war veteran, attended the event as a reporter for the Hearst newspapers. His column, "Written from a GI viewpoint," included the following statement...
"We have a long way to go before Russia will entrust her safety to any organization other than the Red Army."
SOURCE
"Kennedy and Defense: The Formative Years"
(1967) www.airpower.au.af.mil/
Site of UN Charter Meeting
San Francisco, California
June 26, 1945
photo by Leonard G.
ROSE KENNEDY HOSTS TEA FOR JACK IN BROCKTON
Brockton, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, the wife of former Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., hosted a reception at the Walk Over Club 62 years ago today, June 26, 1952, here in Brockton in honor of her son's (Congressman John F. Kennedy) candidacy for the United States Senate.
The reception was attended by an over-flow crowd who also had the pleasure of joining the Kennedys for tea.
Following his defeat to JFK in the Senate election of 1952, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. was asked why he lost. He replied...
"It was those damn tea parties."
Walk Over Club
Brockton, Massachusetts
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The United States Congress approved 58 years ago today, June 26, 1956, the Federal Highway Act which when signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower would provide $30 billion for construction of 41,000 miles of interstate highways.
This will be the largest public construction program in US history.
The federal government would pay 90% of the cost of construction funded, in part, from a hike in the federal gasoline tax of 2 to 3 cents a gallon.
President Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act 3 days later. The act is regarded as Ike's greatest domestic achievement by many historians.
Unveiling of the New Interstate Sign
JFK SPEAKS TO MILLIONS OF WEST BERLINERS
West Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy was welcomed to West Berlin 51 years ago today, June 26, 1963, as he spoke in Rudolph Wilde Plaza to a million West German citizens.
The President said:
"All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words Ich bin ein Berliner."
JFK Speaks To West Berliners
June 26, 1963
Photo by Robert Knudsen
JFK Library Photo
JFK, the leader of the free world in the Cold War against the spread of communism, wanted the people of West Berlin to know that America stood with them in the struggle.
West Berlin was completely surrounded by communist territory.
JFK also said:
"There are many people in the world who really don't understand...what is the great issue between the free world and the communist world. Let them come to Berlin."
And in the shadow of the Berlin Wall dividing the city, he said:
"Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in...."
The crowd waved American flags and chanted in unison...
"Ken-e-dee, Ken-e-dee!"*
Marker at JFK Platz
Berlin, Germany
Photo by Axel Mauruszat (2008)
