I grew up in the 60s & JFK became & remains my hero. JFK+50 highlights the key events relating to JFK in an "on this day in history" format & includes other events in US & world history. The daily postings read as if published in a newspaper on the day of the event.
JFK+50: Volume 5, No. 1708 FIRST PRESIDENTIAL BABY BORN AT THE WHITE HOUSE Washington, D.C.(JFK+50) A century and twenty-two years ago today, September 9, 1893, President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland announced that their second child, Esther*, had been born at the White House. Esther Cleveland was the first child of a President of the United States to be born in the executive mansion. The first child to be born in the White House was James Madison Randolph**, the grandson of President Thomas Jefferson. He was born in 1806. Mrs. Frances Folsom Cleveland, at age 21, remains the youngest First Lady in American history. *Esther Cleveland Bosanquet (1893-1980) was born in Washington, D.C. She made her social debut in 1912 and married Captain William Sidney Bence Bosanquet of the British Coldstream Guards. ECB died in New Hampshire at the age of 86. **James Madison Randolph** was the 8th child & 2nd son of Thomas Mann Randolph and Martha Jefferson Randolph. His grandfather was President Thomas Jefferson. He graduated from the University of Virginia and ran one of the small family farms. JMR died at age 28
Esther Cleveland
COURTNEY KENNEDY BORN IN BOSTON Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) FIfty-nine years ago today, September 9, 1956, Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy announced the birth of their fifth child and second daughter, Mary Courtney Kennedy.* Courtney was married to Jeffrey Ruhe (1980-1990) and Paul Michael Hill (1993-2006). She worked in pediatric AIDS with the United Nations, and is now a human rights activist. MCK has one child named Saorise Roisin which in Gaelic means "Freedom Rose."
SOURCE "Bobby and Ehtel's Brood: The Weight of Legacy," by Adam Cohen, www.cnn.com/
June 2, 2013 JUNE WEDDING IN THE BLUE ROOM AT THE WHITE HOUSE 127 YEARS AGO TODAY Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Grover Cleveland* and Frances Folsom** were married in the Blue Room at the White House here in the Nation's Capital 127 years ago today, June 2, 1886.
Wedding Ceremony in the Blue Room June 2, 1886 The White House Invited guests included relatives and close friends as well as the President's cabinet and their wives. Grover Cleveland was 49 years old while the bride, the daughter of his late law partner, was 21. Mrs. Cleveland became the youngest FIRST LADY. The event also marked the first time a sitting President was married in the Executive Mansion. John Tyler was the first President to marry while in office but the ceremony was not conducted at the White House.
Frances Folsom Cleveland Library of Congress Photo The couple were joined together by the Rev. Byron Sutherland with the assistance of the groom's brother, Rev. William Cleveland. For the ceremony, the traditional words 'honor, love and obey' were substituted by 'love, honor and keep.' Music was provided by John Philip Sousa and the United States Marine Band. Although the day was a regular "working day" for the President, he and the 1st Lady departed for a 5 day honeymoon at DEER PARK in the Cumberland Mountains of western Maryland.*** As First Lady, Mrs. Cleveland held two receptions each week. *Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) the only President to serve non consecutive terms is both the 22nd (1885-1889) and 24th (1893-1897) Presidents. He was born in Caldwell, NJ and admitted to the bar in 1859. He later became Mayor of Buffalo, NY and Governor of NY. **Frances Clara Folsom Cleveland (1864-1947) was born in Buffalo, NY. Her father, Oscar Folsom, died in 1875 and Grover Cleveland became administrator of his estate. Frances graduated from Wells College in Aurora, NY. After Cleveland's death, she married Thomas J. Preston Jr. She died in Baltimore and is buried in Princeton, N.J. beside her 1st husband. ***The Clevelands would have 3 daughters and 2 sons. Their second child, Esther, born in 1893, was the first child to be born in the White House.
Today the Presidents of the United States & the French Republic concluded their meetings in Paris.
The major issues discussed included aid to Third World countries, the strength & security of the Atlantic Alliance & the relationship of the West with the Communist bloc nations.
Mr. Kennedy & Mr. De Gaulle reaffirmed their mutual commitment to Berlin.
JFK spoke at a press luncheon at the Palais de Chaillot.
Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy will leave Paris tomorrow morning on Air Force One for Vienna.
President Charles de Gaulle
June 2, 1961
GOVERNOR WALLACE STILL PLANS TO BLOCK THE DOORWAY
Governor George C. Wallace of the state of Alabama said today that he still has plans to personally block the entrance of two African-American students into the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.
The Governor said that his state cannot guarantee the safety of the two students who plan to enroll.
Foster Auditorium & Malone Plaza University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa Photo by Ttownfeen (2010)
June 2, 1956
JFK SPEAKS TO GRADS AT ROCKHURST
Senator John F. Kennedy spoke at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri today.
He urged the United States government to speak out against colonialism.
JFK said that even though such a position will be frowned upon by our allies, "it will displease even more the Soviets who have hypocritically assumed the role of freedom's defender."
Rockhurst College Bell Tower photo by Jon Bell (2009)
June 2, 1953
QUEEN ELIZABETH II IS CORONATED
Queen Elizabeth was formally crowned Queen of the United Kingdom today at Westminster Abbey in London.
The proceedings were broadcast live on both radio & television.
The Queen, 27 years old, was accompanied by her husband, Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on a 5 mile procession in which they rode in a gilded horse-drawn carriage.
After the parade, the Queen & her family waved to the crowd of well-wishers from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.*
*Elizabeth II is still the reigning Queen today at the age of 85.
Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip June 2, 1953 Library & Archives of Canada
June 2, 1950
CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY SPEAKS AT RIVERDALE
JFK's old school, Riverdale, welcomed him back today as he was the guest speaker at their commencement exercises.
The Congressman addressed the Riverdale-on-Hudson School class of 1950.
He said the United States requires young "men & women of integrity & courage in public service".
JFK was a student at the school from 1927-1930.
Riverdale Country School Bronx, New York Photo by Anthony22 (2006)
June 2, 1924
COOLIDGE SIGNS INDIAN CITIZENS ACT
President Calvin Coolidge signed into law today the Indian Citizens Act.
This legislation will grant automatic American citizenship to Native Americans born in the United States.
After the signing ceremony, the President posed with 4 Osage tribal leaders.
President Calvin Coolidge
June 2, 1886
MAY & DECEMBER WEDDING IN JUNE AT THE WHITE HOUSE
President Grover Cleveland & Frances Folsom were married in a ceremony which took place at 7 this evening in the Blue Room at the White House.
The invited guests were only relatives, close friends & the President's cabinet & their wives.
The President is 49 years old while his wife, the daughter of his late law partner, is 21. Mrs. Cleveland will be the youngest 1st Lady in US History.
This was also the 1st time a sitting President has been married at the White House.
Mrs. Cleveland was born in Buffalo, New York & attended Wells College in Aurora, New York.
Frances Folsom Cleveland Library of Congress Photo
The couple were joined together by the Rev. Byron Sutherland. Music was provided by John Philip Sousa & the United States Marine Band.
Although today was a regular "working day" for the President, he & the 1st Lady are off for a 5 day honeymoon in the Cumberland Mountains of western Maryland.*
*The Clevelands will have 3 daughters & 2 sons, the 2nd child, Esther born in 1893, was the 1st child to be born in the White House.
