JFK+50: Volume 7, No. 2136
FOUR CITIES IN ONE DAY: NOVEMBER 21, 1963
Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Houston & Fort Worth, Texas (JFK+50) They called it a whirlwind political tour and they called it right. President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy's last full day together was shared in four American cities...their last day together would be shared in only two.
Fifty-three years ago today, the President of the United States and Mrs. Kennedy began the day in the Nation's Capital and ended it where the following day would begin, Fort Worth.
The Texas tour began, however, in San Antonio where teenagers gathered on the observation deck of the airport and "screamed.... 'Jackie!'" The Kennedys enjoyed a 26 mile motorcade ride through the city, concluding with JFK's speech at the dedication of the USAF Aerospace Medical Division at Brooks Air Force Base.
President Kennedy said...
"This Nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it. With the help of all Americans, we will climb this wall with safety and with speed--and we shall explore the wonders on the other side."
In the evening, JFK spoke at the dinner honoring Congressman Albert Thomas at the Houston Coliseum. After the dinner, the Presidential party departed Kelly Field where 5000 people had gathered to see them off and arrived at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth just before midnight.
JFK and the First Lady spent their last night together in a three room suite at the Texas Hotel.
Thurston Clarke writes..."(JFK and Jackie) embraced and he said...'You were great today.' She went next door and laid out the pink suit and pillbox hat she would wear the following day."
SOURCES
"End of Days: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy," by James Swanson. Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2013.
"JFK's Last Hundred Days: The Transformation of a Man and the Emergence of a Great President," by Thurston Clarke, Penguin Press, 2013.
Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.
JFK and Jackie
FOUR CITIES IN ONE DAY: NOVEMBER 21, 1963
Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Houston & Fort Worth, Texas (JFK+50) They called it a whirlwind political tour and they called it right. President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy's last full day together was shared in four American cities...their last day together would be shared in only two.
Fifty-three years ago today, the President of the United States and Mrs. Kennedy began the day in the Nation's Capital and ended it where the following day would begin, Fort Worth.
The Texas tour began, however, in San Antonio where teenagers gathered on the observation deck of the airport and "screamed.... 'Jackie!'" The Kennedys enjoyed a 26 mile motorcade ride through the city, concluding with JFK's speech at the dedication of the USAF Aerospace Medical Division at Brooks Air Force Base.
President Kennedy said...
"This Nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space and we have no choice but to follow it. With the help of all Americans, we will climb this wall with safety and with speed--and we shall explore the wonders on the other side."
In the evening, JFK spoke at the dinner honoring Congressman Albert Thomas at the Houston Coliseum. After the dinner, the Presidential party departed Kelly Field where 5000 people had gathered to see them off and arrived at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth just before midnight.
JFK and the First Lady spent their last night together in a three room suite at the Texas Hotel.
Thurston Clarke writes..."(JFK and Jackie) embraced and he said...'You were great today.' She went next door and laid out the pink suit and pillbox hat she would wear the following day."
SOURCES
"End of Days: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy," by James Swanson. Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 2013.
"JFK's Last Hundred Days: The Transformation of a Man and the Emergence of a Great President," by Thurston Clarke, Penguin Press, 2013.
Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.
JFK and Jackie
San Antonio, Texas
November 21, 1963
Photo by Cecil Stoughton
JFK Library Image
