FRANK SINATRA PRESENTS THE KENNEDY INAUGURAL GALA
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 19, 1961, the Inaugural Gala for President-elect John F. Kennedy was held at the National Armory here in the national capital city.
The gala was produced by Kennedy friend and political supporter Frank Sinatra who described his role as "the most exciting assignment of my life."
Mr. Sinatra was assisted in the production by JFK brother-in-law Peter Lawford.
Carl Anthony says that the 1961 Inaugural Gala..."featured not only a wide variety of types of entertainment but performers more diverse than ever before."
The cast included....
Laurence Olivier, Ethel Merman, Bette Davis, Frederic March, Sidney Poitier, Anthony Quinn, Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, Gene Kelly, Nat King Cole, Jimmy Durante, Harry Belafonte and Milton Berle.
The Gala, which was delayed in starting because of a snowstorm that hit the Nation's Capitol that day, included the music of Leonard Bernstein's Orchestra. The President-elect and Vice-President-elect entered the Armory to the strains of "Anchors Aweigh." The great gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, sang the National Anthem.
Jacqueline Kennedy wore the unforgettable Oleg Cassini "ivory double-faced silk satin" gown with cockade trim. The dress established Mrs. Kennedy's style on the eve of becoming First Lady. The cockade expressed pride in her French ancestry and love of history. During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington's soldiers wore black cockades and French General the Marquis de Lafayette wore a black and white cockade.
After the show, the President-elect said...
SOURCES
"The Inaugural Gala That Was," CarlAnthonyonline.com, January 18, 2013.
www.sinatra.com
President and Mrs. Kennedy
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 19, 1961, the Inaugural Gala for President-elect John F. Kennedy was held at the National Armory here in the national capital city.
The gala was produced by Kennedy friend and political supporter Frank Sinatra who described his role as "the most exciting assignment of my life."
Mr. Sinatra was assisted in the production by JFK brother-in-law Peter Lawford.
Carl Anthony says that the 1961 Inaugural Gala..."featured not only a wide variety of types of entertainment but performers more diverse than ever before."
The cast included....
Laurence Olivier, Ethel Merman, Bette Davis, Frederic March, Sidney Poitier, Anthony Quinn, Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, Gene Kelly, Nat King Cole, Jimmy Durante, Harry Belafonte and Milton Berle.
The Gala, which was delayed in starting because of a snowstorm that hit the Nation's Capitol that day, included the music of Leonard Bernstein's Orchestra. The President-elect and Vice-President-elect entered the Armory to the strains of "Anchors Aweigh." The great gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, sang the National Anthem.
Jacqueline Kennedy wore the unforgettable Oleg Cassini "ivory double-faced silk satin" gown with cockade trim. The dress established Mrs. Kennedy's style on the eve of becoming First Lady. The cockade expressed pride in her French ancestry and love of history. During the American Revolutionary War, General George Washington's soldiers wore black cockades and French General the Marquis de Lafayette wore a black and white cockade.
After the show, the President-elect said...
"I am proud to be a Democrat because...the...party has been identified with excellence, and we saw excellence tonight."
"The Inaugural Gala That Was," CarlAnthonyonline.com, January 18, 2013.
www.sinatra.com
President and Mrs. Kennedy
Presidential Inaugural Ball
January 20, 1961
Photo by Abbie Rowe
National Park Service Image
National Park Service Image
Jacqueline Kennedy
Inaugural Gala Gown
JFK Library Photo
