"BY A VOTE OF 80 TO 19"

SENATE APPROVES NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY DECISIVELY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 24, 1963, the United States Senate ratified the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty* by a vote of 80 to 19.  25 Republicans joined with 55 Democrats to push the treaty through.  Only 8 Republicans and 11 Democrats voted against it.

The treaty, negotiated by the United States, Great Britain and U.S.S.R., was signed in Moscow on August 5, 1963.

President John F. Kennedy said...

"I congratulate the Senate for its action and...the leaders of both parties in the Senate and Senator J. William Fulbright (D-Arkansas) for bringing the treaty to this...vote."

*The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty prohibits testing of nuclear weapons under water, in the atmosphere or outer space.  JFK signed the ratified treaty on October 7, 1963.

SOURCES

"Nuclear Test Ban Treaty," JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, Massachusetts, www.jfklibrary.org/

"Senate Ratifies Test Pact, 80-19," by J. A. O'Leary, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 24, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

JFK Signing the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

NARA Photo

www.picryl.com/

"HERALDED AS A MAJOR BREAK IN COLD WAR"

PRESIDENT KENNEDY TO ADDRESS THE NATION ON TEST BAN TREATY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 26, 1963, Associated Press reports that President John F. Kennedy will speak on national radio and television tonight in an effort "to whip up support for a nuclear test ban treaty*."

The treaty was initialed yesterday in Moscow and is heralded as a "major break in the cold war**."

The President's address tonight begins an effort by the Kennedy administration to convince critics that ending nuclear tests in outer space, atmosphere and under water "will not endanger United States security."

*The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed on August 5, 1963 in Moscow by Dean Rusk, U.S. Secretary of State, Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko & British Foreign Secretary Lord Home.

**Cold War (1947-1991) a period of political & economic rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union.

SOURCES

"Kennedy Talk Set Tonight on New Treaty," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 26, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

"Nuclear Test Ban Treaty," JFK Presidential Library and Museum, www.jfklibrary.org/

 

 

"Ivy Mike" atmospheric test

November 1952

www.flickr.com/

"THE MOST IMPORTANT TOPIC ON EARTH"

JFK TALKS WORLD PEACE, DISCUSSIONS ON NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY TO BEGIN SOON

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy announced that "high level discussions on a nuclear test ban treaty* will begin soon in Moscow."

In the meantime, the President pledges that the United States will "refrain from further atmospheric tests."

The talks, slated to begin in July, will include representatives of President Kennedy, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

The President, speaking at commencement exercises on the campus of American University here in the Nation's Capital, said...

"Our hopes must be tempered with the caution of history but with our hopes go the hopes of all mankind."

David Broder writes that President Kennedy called world peace....

"the most important topic on earth."

 JFK+50 NOTE

Republican leaders spoke out against a treaty while the Joint Chiefs of Staff opposed it "under almost any terms."  In March 1963, JFK himself was "not hopeful" it could succeed.  By June, things were looking better but it was JFK's American University speech that convinced the Soviets to agree to negotiate.

In late July, JFK spoke directly to the American people in an appeal for their support of the treaty.  All along, it would take a miracle for the US Senate to approve it but on September 24 it did so by a vote of 80 to 19.

James W. Douglass writes that JFK had won but asks the question "Did it cost him his life?"

*The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) prohibited all nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space & underwater.  Drafted by the U.S., GB & USSR it was signed on Aug 5 & took effect on Oct 10 1963. JFK considered it his greatest accomplishment as POTUS.

SOURCES

"JFK And The Unspeakable," by James W. Douglass, Orbis Books, New York, 2008

"Talks on A-Ban Set in Moscow," by David S. Broder, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 10, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

"The Limited Test Ban Treaty, 1963," Office of the Historian, www.history.state.gov/

 JFK Signs Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

JFK Presidential Library

www.history.state.gov/

"FEAR IS A LITTLE LESS, HOPE A LITTLE MORE"

JFK SIGNS LIMITED NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY AT WHITE HOUSE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in the Treaty Room at the White House on October 7, 1963.  The treaty would ultimately be signed by 71 nations.

President Kennedy said...

"Today the fear is a little less and the hope a little more."

The LNTBT banned all nuclear testing except underground.  It had been agreed to in Moscow on July 25, 1963 after 12 days of negotiations.  President Kennedy and Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev sought to reduce tensions in the aftermath of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

John F. Kennedy believed the successful negotiation of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty to be his greatest accomplishment as President of the United States.

JFK+50 NOTE

The National Archives says that in accepting the treaty, "the nuclear powers accepted as a common goal 'an end to the contamination of man's environment by radioactive substances.'"

SOURCES

"JFK Signs Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty," JFK+50, October 7, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

"Nuclear Test Ban Treaty," John Fitzgerald Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, www.jfklibrary.org/

"Test Ban Treaty (1963)," National Archives, www.archives.gov/

JFK Signs Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

October 7 1963

Photo by Robert Knudsen

JFK Library

"WE ALL INHABIT THIS SMALL PLANET"

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 commencement address to graduates of American University here in the Nation's Capital.

The President announced that talks would soon begin in Moscow between American, British and Soviet representatives to work out a test ban treaty.

President Kennedy said that the treaty would help provide hope for a "genuine peace," and...

"In the final analysis our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we cherish our children's future and we are all mortal." 

John Horgan argues that while most people today view JFK's optimism as naive,"overwhelming evidence...reveals that war is a relatively recent cultural invention."

SOURCES

"Commencement Address at American University, June 10, 1963," www.jfklibrary.org/

"Fifty Years Later, JFK's 'Peace Speech' Still Inspires and Has Been Scientifically Validated," by John Horgan, June 10, 2013, Scientific American, www.blogs.scientificamerican.com/ 

 

 

JFK Speaks at American University

Washington, D.C.

June 10 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Image

 

"WE ALL INHABIT THIS SMALL PLANET & WE ARE ALL MORTAL"

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.

JFK Speaks at American University

June 10, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Photo

"TODAY THE FEAR IS A LITTLE LESS & THE HOPE A LITTLE MORE"

JFK SIGNS LIMITED TEST BAN TREATY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 7, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963 in the Treaty Room at the White House.  The treaty, which took effect three days later, banned all nuclear tests except those conducted underground. 

JFK considered this treaty to be his greatest achievement as President of the United States.  The President said...

"In its first two decades the age of nuclear energy has been full of fear, yet never empty of hope. Today the fear is a little less and the hope a little greater.  For the first time we have been able to reach an agreement which can limit the dangers of this age.

The agreement itself is limited, but its message of hope has been heard and understood...by the peoples and governments of the hundred other countries that have signed." 



Article 1 of the "Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Tests in Atmosphere, In Outer Space and Underwater" states...

"Each of the parties of this Treaty undertakes to prohibit, to prevent, and not to carry out any nuclear weapon test explosion, or any other nuclear explosion at any place under its jurisdiction or control;

a. in the atmosphere, beyond its limits, including outer space, or underwater, including territorial waters or high seas; or

b. in any other environment if such explosion causes radioactive debris to be present outside the territorial limits of the state under whose...control such explosion is conducted."

SOURCE

"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.

JFK Signs the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
        The White House Treaty Room
                      October 7, 1963
          Photo by Robert Knudsen
               JFK Library Image

"TOO MANY THINK PEACE IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT THAT IS A DEFEATEST BELIEF"

JFK SPEAKS TO GRADS AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 10, 1963  President John F. Kennedy, spoke to graduates of American University here in the Nation's Capital.  His address was given at the John M. Reeves Athletic Center.  The President proposed a comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty*.

President Kennedy announced that talks would soon begin in Moscow between American, British and Soviet representatives to work out a comprehensive  treaty.  JFK spoke of the hope for a..."genuine peace, the kind that makes life on earth worth living..."

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."

John Horgan of the Scientific American wrote on the 50th anniversary of the American University address that the high point came when JFK "repudiated the notion that permanent peace is a utopian fantasy."  

JFK said...

"Too many...think (peace) is impossible, but that is a dangerous, defeatest belief...leading to the conclusion that war is inevitable."

It is Mr. Horgan's view that while most people today think JFK's optimism was naive, "they are wrong."  He writes...

"Overwhelming evidence from archaeology and anthropology reveals that war is a relatively recent cultural invention."

John Horgan points out that JFK appealed, not to the fears of the American people, but to their hopes.  He believes, and I agree, that "we need leaders with this kind of inspiring vision today."

*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.

SOURCES

"Commencement Address at American University, June 10, 1963, www.jfklibrary.org/

"Fifty Years Later, JFK's 'Peace Speech' Still Inspires - and Has Been Scientifically Validated," by John Horgan, June 10, 2013, Scientific American, www.blogs.scientificamerican.com/

"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy, 1963."

"Top 10 Commencement Speeches, John F. Kennedy, American University, 1963," Time Magazine, www.content.time.com/

JFK Speaks at American University

June 10, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Photo

"LARGEST NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM CONDUCTED BY THE U.S."

JFK AUTHORIZES OPERATION DOMINIC

Christmas Island (JFK+50) On April 25, 1962, the United States of America detonated a nuclear bomb over Christmas Island* .  This was the first atmospheric nuclear test by our country since an agreement to stop such tests was signed with the USSR in 1958.

President John F. Kennedy authorized the test, code-named OPERATION DOMINIC, after the Soviets stated their intention to violate the agreement and launched a series of forty-five tests over a two month period.

Operation Dominic comprised a series of thirty-one nuclear tests with a yield totaling 38.1 megatonnes.  The nuclear weapons were dropped from B-52s. The 

operation was the largest nuclear weapons program ever conducted by the United States and also the last atmospheric test before passage of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963.

*Christmas Island is located in the Indian Ocean.  It was discovered by Captain William Mynors on Christmas Day 1643.  Today, the island is a territory of Australia and has a population of just over 2000.  Two-thirds of the populace are Malaysian Chinese.  In 1957, the British military began conducting nuclear tests using the island as their base.  Those tests ended in 1963.

SOURCE

"Christmas Island:  In search of Britain's nuclear legacy," by John Pickford, July 8, 2013, www.bbc.com/

Christmas Island

JFK PROPOSES TEST BAN TREATY

JFK PROPOSED TEST BAN TREATY 51 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy proposed a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty* 51 years ago today, June 10, 1963.

The President presented the proposal as the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremonies of American University here in the Nation's Capital.

In the address, President Kennedy, in a break from cold war tradition, made peace overtures to the Soviet Union.

The President 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."

JFK Speaks at American University

June 10, 1963

Photo by Cecil Stoughton

JFK Library Photo

*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 ANNOUNCED NUCLEAR TEST BAN AGREEMENT 50 YEARS AGO

July 26, 2013

NUCLEAR TEST BAN AGREEMENT ANNOUNCED BY PRESIDENT KENNEDY 50 YEARS AGO TODAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy announced 50 years ago today, July 26, 1963, that an agreement had been reached in Moscow on a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty*.

*The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed in Moscow on Aug 5, 1963, ratified by the US Senate on Sept 24, 1963, signed by JFK on Oct 7, 1963 and went into effect on Oct 10, 1963.

The LNTBT banned the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, outer space and under water.  A Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was adopted by the UN in 1996, signed by President Clinton but defeated by the Senate.

The President, speaking to an evening national television audience, said:

"Yesterday a shaft of light cut into the darkness.  Negotiations were concluded in Moscow on a treaty that will ban all nuclear tests in the air, outer space and under water."

The President concluded with these words:

"Let us...step back from the shadows of war and seek out the way of peace.  And if that journey is a thousand miles, let history record, that we, in this land, at this time, took the first step."

        JFK Announces Test Ban Agreement
                            July 26, 1963
                     JFK Library Photo


According to the JFK Library, work toward a nuclear test ban treaty began in May 1955 when the United Nations Disarmament Committee brought together Canada, France, UK, US, and USSR for discussions.

Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts supported a nuclear test ban beginning in 1956.

After a moratorium on testing, the Soviet Union announced resumption and conducted 31 nuclear tests over the next 90 day period including the explosion of a 58 megaton hydrogen bomb, 4000 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

Speaking to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 25, 1961, President Kennedy said...

"The weapons of war must be abolished, before they abolish us."

JFK, who reluctantly approved resumption of atomic testing by the United States on April 25, 1962, was able to announce in his speech at American University on June 10, 1963 that a new round of negotiations with the Soviets had begun in Moscow.

JFK said...

"If we cannot end our differences...at least we can help make the world safe...for diversity."

The biggest snag in negotiations on limiting nuclear testing going back to 1955 was the reluctance of the Soviet Union to approve inspections to verify underground nuclear tests.

The American negotiation team in Moscow, led by Averell Harriman**, carefully avoided proposing a limitation on underground testing, thus removing previous objections by the USSR.

**W. Averell Harriman (1891-1986) was born in New York City.  He established a successful Wall Street banking business and became chairman of the Commerce Dept's Business Council.

Harriman served as an envoy for FDR in Europe during WWII and after the war was US ambassador to the USSR and to Britain.  JFK appointed him "Ambassador at Large," and later he was chief negotiator for the US in talks with North Vietnam in Paris.

Although the treaty was "limited" JFK considered it his greatest achievement as President.  It has been ratified by most nations but China, France and North Korea are not among them.

SOURCE

"Nuclear Test Ban Treaty," John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, www.jfklibrary.org/

     JFK Signs Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
       The White House, Treaty Room
                       October 7, 1963
             Photo by Robert Knudsen
                   JFK Library Image


NATIONAL SECURITY ACT SIGNED BY TRUMAN

Sacred Cow (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 66 years ago today, July 26, 1947, on board the Presidential airplane, Sacred Cow.

The act restructured the armed forces, foreign policy and the intelligence community. 

The National Security Act merged the Department of War and the Navy Department under the Department of Defense.

The act also established the National Security Council to coordinate national security policy in the executive branch and created the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The bill was signed by the President aboard Sacred Cow which was the first aircraft to be designated Air Force One.

                            Sacred Cow
                       October 17, 1961

WINSTON CHURCHILL OUSTED AS BRITAIN'S PM 68 YEARS AGO TODAY

London, England (JFK+50) Winston Churchill, who led his nation through the darkest days of WWII, was forced to resign as Prime Minister 68 years ago today, July 26, 1945.

Churchill's Conservative Party was defeated by the Labour Party.

Clement Attlee*** was sworn as the new Prime Minister.

***Clement Attlee (1883-1967) was born in London and graduated from University College, Oxford in 1904.  He served as Deputy PM from 1942-1945, and PM from 1945 to 1951.

       Statue of Sir Winston Churchill
          Parliament Square, London
                Photo by Ziko (2004)

MARILYN MONROE DIES OF DRUG OVERDOSE

August 5, 1962


MARILYN MONROE DIES OF DRUG OVERDOSE


Hollywood, California (JFK+50) Glamorous actress & singer Marilyn Monroe was found dead early this morning of an apparent drug overdose.


Miss Monroe's lifeless body was found by her psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, who had been called to the home by Monroe's housekeeper who could not get Monroe to open her locked bedroom door.


Marilyn had battled depression for months & had also been under psychiatric care since last year.

Marilyn Monroe Studio Publicity Still
       for the movie "Niagara" (1952)


August 5, 1963


NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY SIGNED


Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed here today by representatives of the United States, Great Britain & the Soviet Union.


The treaty prohibits the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere & underwater.


Secretary of State Dean Rusk signed for the United States, Alec Douglas-Home signed for Great Britain & Andrei Gromyko signed for the Soviet Union.*


*The Limited Test Ban Treaty (testing was still permitted underground)  was ratified by the US Congress on September 24 & JFK signed it on Oct 7.

JFK signs Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
         Photo by Robert Knudsen
              JFK Library Photo


August 5, 1943


KENNEDY & ROSS FIND CANDY & CRACKERS


Cross Island, South Pacific (JFK50) Lt. John F. Kennedy & crewman Barney Ross made a swim to Cross Island about 1:30 in the afternoon today.


The pair walked across the island to the eastern side where they found bags of candy & crackers left by the Japanese.  They also found an abandoned canoe.


JFK took the canoe into Ferguson Passage in the evening looking for a passing PT boat.  Having no luck, he returned to his shipmates with the candy & crackers.


Upon his return, JFK met two friendly natives.


August 5, 1861


LINCOLN SIGNS REVENUE ACT INTO LAW


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Abraham Lincoln signed into law today the 1st federal income tax in US history.


The act, signed into law at the White House, will impose a 3% tax on incomes of $800 or more.*


*Congress repealed the income tax in 1871 but by the 16th Amendment ratified in 1913, the income tax system which remains in effect today became law.

                Lincoln signed into law 
           the 1st Federal Income Tax