JFK SAYS USA WILL BEAT RUSSIANS TO THE MOON
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy, during his campaign for the Presidency in 1960, said that America should be "first, not if or when, but first period."
On April 3, 1963, President Kennedy was asked at his afternoon televised news conference if the United States would be first in space and "beat the Russians to the moon".
JFK answered by reminding the reporters that the United States would not get..."our new boosters until 1964, 1965 and 1966" and that "we'll have to wait and see".
The President did express optimism, however, that his goals in space could be accomplished...
"We are behind now and we will continue to be behind, but if we make a major effort, we have a chance, I believe, to be ahead at the end of this decade and that is where I think we ought to be."
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy, during his campaign for the Presidency in 1960, said that America should be "first, not if or when, but first period."
On April 3, 1963, President Kennedy was asked at his afternoon televised news conference if the United States would be first in space and "beat the Russians to the moon".
JFK answered by reminding the reporters that the United States would not get..."our new boosters until 1964, 1965 and 1966" and that "we'll have to wait and see".
The President did express optimism, however, that his goals in space could be accomplished...
"We are behind now and we will continue to be behind, but if we make a major effort, we have a chance, I believe, to be ahead at the end of this decade and that is where I think we ought to be."
