HISTORIC RENDEZVOUS AT THE NORTH POLE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 22, 1962, fifty-two years ago today, President John F. Kennedy announced that two United States nuclear powered submarines, USS Skate* and USS Seadragon**, had...
"completed a historic rendezvous under the polar ice pack and then surfaced together through a small opening in the ice at the North Pole".
*USS Skate (SNN-578) was launched and commissioned in 1957. She became the 1st nuclear powered submarine to surface at the North Pole on August 11, 1958. USS Skate had a crew of 8 officers and 76 sailors. She was decommissioned in 1986.
**USS Seadragon (SSN-584) was launched in 1958 and commissioned in 1959. She was decommissioned in 1984.
SOURCES
www.en.wikipedia.org
www.navalhistory.org
INCREASED PRESENCE OF SOVIET SUPPLIES-TECHNICIANS IN CUBA
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference fifty-two years ago today, August 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy confirmed reports that Soviet personnel and supplies had arrived in large numbers had arrived in Cuba in the last few weeks.
When asked about Soviet troops, the President answered...
"We do not have information, but an increased number of technicians. We are examining it. What we are talking about are supplies and technicians of a rather intensive quantity in recent weeks."
This was the buildup of missile sites and Soviet personnel which culminated in the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962.
DE GAULLE SURVIVES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Paris, France (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, August 22, 1962, French President Charles De Gaulle survived an assassination attempt here in Paris as he and his wife were riding to the Orly Airport in their Citroen DS.
Twelve gunmen opened fire approaching from the rear. Two of De Gaulle's motorcycle guards were killed and the rear window of his car was blown out. All four tires of DeGaulle's vehicle were pierced with bullets.
The gunmen were members of the Secret Army Organization.
De Gaulle's driver was able to break out of a skid and accelerate out of harm's way. President and Lady De Gaulle were both uninjured.
The story of this attempted assassination of the President of France was dramatized in Frederick Forsyth's "The Day of the Jackal" which became a 1969 movie.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On August 22, 1962, fifty-two years ago today, President John F. Kennedy announced that two United States nuclear powered submarines, USS Skate* and USS Seadragon**, had...
"completed a historic rendezvous under the polar ice pack and then surfaced together through a small opening in the ice at the North Pole".
USS Skate
On the Arctic Surface
US Navy Photo (1959)
The actual rendezvous of the two nuclear-powered subs took place on July 31, 1962. They surfaced together on August 2nd and exchanged...
"official greetings and insignia of Submarine Force Atlantic fleet and Submarine Force Pacific Fleet."
**USS Seadragon (SSN-584) was launched in 1958 and commissioned in 1959. She was decommissioned in 1984.
SOURCES
www.en.wikipedia.org
www.navalhistory.org
INCREASED PRESENCE OF SOVIET SUPPLIES-TECHNICIANS IN CUBA
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference fifty-two years ago today, August 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy confirmed reports that Soviet personnel and supplies had arrived in large numbers had arrived in Cuba in the last few weeks.
When asked about Soviet troops, the President answered...
"We do not have information, but an increased number of technicians. We are examining it. What we are talking about are supplies and technicians of a rather intensive quantity in recent weeks."
This was the buildup of missile sites and Soviet personnel which culminated in the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962.
DE GAULLE SURVIVES ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Paris, France (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, August 22, 1962, French President Charles De Gaulle survived an assassination attempt here in Paris as he and his wife were riding to the Orly Airport in their Citroen DS.
Twelve gunmen opened fire approaching from the rear. Two of De Gaulle's motorcycle guards were killed and the rear window of his car was blown out. All four tires of DeGaulle's vehicle were pierced with bullets.
The gunmen were members of the Secret Army Organization.
De Gaulle's driver was able to break out of a skid and accelerate out of harm's way. President and Lady De Gaulle were both uninjured.
The story of this attempted assassination of the President of France was dramatized in Frederick Forsyth's "The Day of the Jackal" which became a 1969 movie.
1974 Citroen DS
Photo by Joe Mabel (2007)
