AND HERE'S TO YOU MRS. ROBINSON

SIMON & GARFUNKEL'S "MRS. ROBINSON" #1 50 YEARS AGO

New York City (JFK+50) On June 10, 1968, the number one popular music song in the nation was "Mrs. Robinson".  The tune was included in the hit movie "The Graduate".

"Mrs. Robinson" was written by Paul Simon* and recorded with Art Garfunkel** for their album "Bookends" in 1968.  The song became the first rock 'n roll tune to win a Grammy for "Record of the Year".

Simon & Garfunkel recorded the song and the album in Columbia's studio here in New York City.

One of the most discussed lines in the song were...

"Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio***? 
  Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you" 

Paul explained this saying...

"I didn't mean the lines literally....I thought of (Joe) as an American hero and...genuine heroes were in short supply."

*Paul Frederic Simon was born in Newark, NJ in 1941.  His dad was a college professor & musician as well as a Yankees fan.  PFS graduated from Queens College with a major in English in 1963.

**Arthur Ira Garfunkel was born in Queens, NY in 1941 & earned his BA in Art History at Columbia University in 1965.  AIG received his MA in Math Education.

***Joseph Paul DiMaggio (1914-1999) was born in Martinez, California.  JPM played his entire 13 year baseball career for the NY Yankees leading them to 9 World Series championships.  "Joltin' Joe" is best known for his 56 game hitting streak (record still stands) May-July 1941.

Art Garfunkel & Paul Simon

Performing in Dublin

Photo by Eddie Mallin

CC-BY

SENATE DEFEATS MEDICARE

July 17, 1962


SENATE DEFEATS MEDICARE 


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy expressed disappointment today when he learned the United States Senate had narrowly defeated the King-Anderson Medicare Bill which he supported.


The President vowed to continue the fight by taking the issue to the voters in the fall midterm elections.


JFK said that he hopes the people....


"will restore a Congress that will support....Medical Care for the Aged."*


*The American Medical Association lobbied against Medicare.


While I am 2 years away from being eligible for Medicare, which was signed into law in 1965, I do resent the term "Aged" .  Could we not be kind & say "Seniors"????

              LBJ Signs Medicare Bill
        as Harry Truman, Lady Bird,
      Hubert Humphrey & Bess look on
                  LBJ Library Photo
                        July 30, 1965


July 17, 1963


JFK SAYS NORMAL RELATIONS WITH CUBA "IMPOSSIBLE"


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference today at the State Department, President Kennedy was asked if he sees Fidel Castro seeking a "more relaxed relationship" with the United States.


The President responded by saying that normal relations with Cuba are "impossible" as long as the nation remains a "Soviet satellite".


July 17, 1960


KENNEDY ARRIVES AT LOGAN TO A BIG CROWD


Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy arrived in town today fresh off receiving the 1960 Democratic nomination for President of the United States in Los Angeles. 


The Senator was greeted by 13,000 supporters.


JFK was accompanied by family members as well as campaign workers.


July 17, 1955


JFK WANTS REPEAL OF SILVER PURCHASE ACT


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy today urged the Senate Banking & Currency Committee to repeal the 19334 Silver Purchase Act.


The law provides a government market for silver.


The Senator says that the legislation causes higher prices for silver which has resulted in economic difficulties & unemployment in his home region of New England.


JFK said that the silver-processing & jewelry industries have been the hardest hit.


July 17, 1955


DISNEYLAND OPENS IN ANAHEIM


Anaheim, California (JFK+50) Walt Disney opened his 17 million dollar theme park here today.


Disneyland is built on 160 acres of land that was formerly the site of orange groves.


Mr. Disney's park is meant to be educational as well as to provide entertainment for children & adults alike.

           Walt Disney Presents Plans 
                 to Anaheim Officials
            Orange County Archives
                    December 1954


July 17, 1945


POTSDAM CONFERENCE BEGINS TODAY


Potsdam, Germany (JFK+50) Allied representatives arrived here today, just outside of Berlin, to begin discussions on postwar Europe.


The "Big Three" representing their respective nations include:  President Harry S Truman of the United States, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain & Premier Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union.


The conference begins with an aura of suspicion as each of the Allied nations representatives have their own interests at heart.


Issues to be discussed include the postwar border of Poland, occupation of Austria & war reparations.

               "The Big 3" at Potsdam
             Churchill-Truman-Stalin


July 17, 1941


TODAY, DIMAGGIO GOES HITLESS


New York (JFK+50) New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio has got a hit in each of his last 56 consecutive games.


Today, however, DiMaggio's streak ended as he went hitless at Yankee Stadium against the hurlers for the Cleveland Indians.


67,468 fans were in attendance today.


DiMaggio, in his 6th season with the Yanks, got his record-breaking hit in his 41st straight game on June 29 at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C.*


*DiMaggio will win the 1941 American League MVP Award.

      President Reagan Greets Joltin' Joe
                   White House Photo
             Ronald Reagan Library


July 17, 1975


APOLLO 18 & SOYUZ 19 LINK UP IN SPACE


Houston, Texas (JFK+50) NASA reported today that US spacecraft Apollo 18 successfully docked with Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 19 today.


A historic moment came when the hatches of both spacecraft were opened & Commanders Thomas Safford & Aleksei Lzonov shook hands & exchanged gifts.


The two spacecraft will remain together for 44 hours during which time there will be experiments conducted & the astronauts & cosmonauts will share meals.

            Historic Handshake in Space
                         July 17, 1975
                           NASA Photo