UN CHARTER SIGNED 70 YEARS AGO TODAY
San Francisco, California (JFK+50) The charter of the United Nations was signed seventy years ago today, June 26, 1945, by representatives of 48 nations here in San Francisco.
The world peace organization includes a General Assembly composed of representatives from each member nation and a Security Council which is made up of representatives of China, France, Great Britain, United States and Russia.
John F. Kennedy attended the event as a reporter for the Hearst newspapers. JFK's column, "written from a GI viewpoint", includes 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/
JFK'S "ICH BIN EIN BERLINER" SPEECH GIVEN 52 YEARS AGO
West Berlin, West Germany (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was welcomed here in West Berlin and 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, 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!"*
San Francisco, California (JFK+50) The charter of the United Nations was signed seventy years ago today, June 26, 1945, by representatives of 48 nations here in San Francisco.
The world peace organization includes a General Assembly composed of representatives from each member nation and a Security Council which is made up of representatives of China, France, Great Britain, United States and Russia.
John F. Kennedy attended the event as a reporter for the Hearst newspapers. JFK's column, "written from a GI viewpoint", includes 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.
JFK'S "ICH BIN EIN BERLINER" SPEECH GIVEN 52 YEARS AGO
West Berlin, West Germany (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was welcomed here in West Berlin and 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, 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!"*
JFK Speaks To West Berliners
June 26, 1963
Photo by Robert Knudsen
JFK Library Photo
