JFK PROPOSES NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy proposed a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty* in his address at the graduation ceremonies of American University here in the Nation's Capital.
In the address, President Kennedy made peace overtures to the Soviet Union.
He said that despite philosophical differences...
"we can still hail the Russian people for their many achievements--in science and space, in economic and industrial growth, in culture and in acts of courage."
JFK also called for a...
"genuine peace, the kind that makes life on earth worth living..."
JFK went on to announce that talks would soon begin in Moscow between the Soviets, British and American representatives to work out a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.
The President added...
"In the final analysis our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breath the same air, we all cherish our children's future, and we are all mortal."
*Officially known as the Treaty banning nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, in outer space, a.k.a. the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, it was ratified by the US Senate on Sept 24, 1963 and signed by JFK on Oct 10, 1963.
The need for the treaty was evidenced by the concern about radioactive fallout from testing in the atmosphere and outer space. Most countries signed and ratified with the exception of China, France and North Korea.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy proposed a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty* in his address at the graduation ceremonies of American University here in the Nation's Capital.
In the address, President Kennedy made peace overtures to the Soviet Union.
He said that despite philosophical differences...
"we can still hail the Russian people for their many achievements--in science and space, in economic and industrial growth, in culture and in acts of courage."
JFK also called for a...
"genuine peace, the kind that makes life on earth worth living..."
JFK went on to announce that talks would soon begin in Moscow between the Soviets, British and American representatives to work out a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty.
The President added...
"In the final analysis our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breath the same air, we all cherish our children's future, and we are all mortal."
*Officially known as the Treaty banning nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, in outer space, a.k.a. the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, it was ratified by the US Senate on Sept 24, 1963 and signed by JFK on Oct 10, 1963.
The need for the treaty was evidenced by the concern about radioactive fallout from testing in the atmosphere and outer space. Most countries signed and ratified with the exception of China, France and North Korea.
JFK Speaks at American University
June 10, 1963
Photo by Cecil Stoughton
JFK Library Photo
