JESSE OWENS WON 4TH GOLD MEDAL 79 YEARS AGO IN BERLIN
Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) Seventy-nine years ago today, August 9, 1936, African-American track star Jesse Owens* won his fourth gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games held here in Berlin. The medal was awarded to Owens and his relay team which set a new world record.
Four thousand athletes from 49 nations attended the 1936 Summer Olympics.
*Jesse Owens (1913-1980) was born in Oakville, Alabama and graduated from Ohio State University where he won 8 individual NCAA championships. He became known as "the Buckeye Bullet."
Jesse won 4 gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games held in Berlin including the long jump which set an Olympic record at 26 feet 5 & 1/2 inches. JO died at the age of 66 in Tuscon, Arizona.
Jesse Owens once said...
"I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible. From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up."
JFK APPOINTS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO FEDERAL BENCH
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago today, August 9, 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed James B. Parsons** as the first African American to a federal district court.
Judge Parsons was appointed to the United States District Court for the northern district of Illinois.
James Parsons received his law degree from the University of Chicago. The President notified Judge Parsons of his appointment with a personal telephone call from the White House.
When JFK came on the line to inform the Judge of his appointment, Parsons, a former naval officer, replied "Aye, Aye Sir!"
*James Benton Parsons (1911-1993) was born in Kansas City, MO. He received his BA from Milliken University in 1934, & his MA & law degree from the University of Chicago.
JBP served as the director of a US Navy Fleet Band during World War II & as Assistant US Attorney in Illinois from 1951-1960. He was a Cook County, IL judge from 1960-1961.
GERALD FORD BECOMES PRESIDENT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Forty-one years ago today, August 9, 1974, Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States in a ceremony held in the East Room at the White House.
Before the ceremony, an embattled Richard M. Nixon, having officially resigned the Presidency, gave an emotional farewell speech to his staff and then departed with his wife, Pat, to their home in San Clemente, California.
Berlin, Germany (JFK+50) Seventy-nine years ago today, August 9, 1936, African-American track star Jesse Owens* won his fourth gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games held here in Berlin. The medal was awarded to Owens and his relay team which set a new world record.
Four thousand athletes from 49 nations attended the 1936 Summer Olympics.
*Jesse Owens (1913-1980) was born in Oakville, Alabama and graduated from Ohio State University where he won 8 individual NCAA championships. He became known as "the Buckeye Bullet."
Jesse won 4 gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games held in Berlin including the long jump which set an Olympic record at 26 feet 5 & 1/2 inches. JO died at the age of 66 in Tuscon, Arizona.
Jesse Owens once said...
"I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible. From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up."
Jesse Owens Salutes US Flag
Berlin, Germany
German Federal Archive
JFK APPOINTS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO FEDERAL BENCH
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago today, August 9, 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed James B. Parsons** as the first African American to a federal district court.
Judge Parsons was appointed to the United States District Court for the northern district of Illinois.
James Parsons received his law degree from the University of Chicago. The President notified Judge Parsons of his appointment with a personal telephone call from the White House.
When JFK came on the line to inform the Judge of his appointment, Parsons, a former naval officer, replied "Aye, Aye Sir!"
*James Benton Parsons (1911-1993) was born in Kansas City, MO. He received his BA from Milliken University in 1934, & his MA & law degree from the University of Chicago.
JBP served as the director of a US Navy Fleet Band during World War II & as Assistant US Attorney in Illinois from 1951-1960. He was a Cook County, IL judge from 1960-1961.
Judge Parsons & LBJ
GERALD FORD BECOMES PRESIDENT
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Forty-one years ago today, August 9, 1974, Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States in a ceremony held in the East Room at the White House.
Before the ceremony, an embattled Richard M. Nixon, having officially resigned the Presidency, gave an emotional farewell speech to his staff and then departed with his wife, Pat, to their home in San Clemente, California.
Nixon's Farewell Speech
August 9, 1974
Nixon Library Photo
