TRUMAN IS CONVINCED A TOUGH POLICY TOWARD THE SOVIETS IS NECESSARY

CONFERENCE OPENS IN POTSDAM

Potsdam, Germany (JFK+50) On July 17, 1945, Allied representatives arrived here in Potsdam* to begin discussions on policies concerning postwar Europe.

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

The conference began with an aura of suspicion as each of the Allied nations representatives had their own special interests.  Issues to be discussed included the postwar border of Poland, occupation of Austria and war reparations.

It is said that the conference convinced Mr. Truman that he would have to adopt a tough policy toward the Soviet Union.  The conference, which issued the Potsdam Declaration***, ended on August 2, 1945.

*Potsdam is the capital & largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg.

**Mr. Churchill was replaced on July 26 by PM Clement Attlee.

***The Potsdam Declaration was a statement regarding the surrender of Japan in WWII.  It called for the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces.

The Big Three at Potsdam

Churchill-Truman-Stalin

DISNEYLAND OPENS IN ANAHEIM

DISNEYLAND OPENED 60 YEARS AGO TODAY

Anaheim, California (JFK+50) Sixty years ago today, July 17, 1955, Walt Disney* opened his 17 million dollar theme park, Disneyland, here in Anaheim.

Disneyland is built on 160 acres of land that was formerly the site of orange groves.  Mr. Disney's park was designed to be educational as well as entertaining to children and adults alike.

At the entrance to the park is a sign which reads...

HERE YOU LEAVE TODAY AND ENTER THE WORLD OF YESTERDAY, TOMORROW AND FANTASY

*Walter Elias Disney (1901-1966) was born in Chicago. IL.  His cartoons became popular in Kansas City, MO. but when his studio went bankrupt he moved to Hollywood, California & opened Disney Brothers Studio.

Walt Disney Presents Plans 

to Anaheim Officials

Orange County Archives

December 1954

POTSDAM CONFERENCE OPENED 70 YEARS AGO

Potsdam, Germany (JFK+50) Allied representatives arrived here in Potsdam 70 years ago, July 17 1945, to begin discussions on policies concerning postwar Europe.

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

The conference began with an aura of suspicion as each of the Allied nations representatives had their own special interests.

Issues to be discussed included the postwar border of Poland, occupation of Austria and war reparations.

The Big Three at Potsdam

Churchill-Truman-Stalin

APOLLO 18 & SOYUZ 19 

Houston, Texas (JFK+50) NASA reported 40 years ago today, July 17, 1975, that United States spacecraft Apollo 18 had successfully docked with Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 19.

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

The two spacecraft would remain together for 44 hours during which time experiments were conducted and the crews shared meals.

Historic Handshake in Space

July 17, 1975

NASA Photo

JFK SAID CIVIL RIGHTS PROBLEM WILL END BY PROVIDING FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES

July 17, 2013

JFK SAID CIVIL RIGHTS PROBLEM WILL END BY PROVIDING FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy was asked at a news conference at the State Department Auditorium held 50 years ago today, July 17, 1963, to comment on reports to the Senate Commerce Committee that the civil rights movement was "Communist inspired."

The President responded that the Communists always attempt to "worm their way into every movement," but that there were very few remaining Communists in the United States and there is "no evidence that the demonstrations are Communist-inspired."

JFK went on to say that "it is easy to blame...the Attorney General or the President, and say...'If they would just stop talking' about the issue...the (civil rights) problem would just go away.'"

The President of the United States said that in his opinion...

"The way to make the problem go away...is to provide for a redress of grievances."

Earlier in the conference, JFK was asked if he thought the civil rights demonstrations, such as the coming August March on Washington, were a handicap to him.

JFK responded...

"No...the...Washington march (will be) a peaceful assembly calling for a redress of grievances...that's in the great tradition.

You just can't tell people, 'Don't protest,' but on the other hand, 'We are not going to let you  come into a store or restaurant.'  It seems to me it is a two-way street."

    Bayard Rustin and Cleveland Robinson
                         August 7, 1963
             Photo by Orlando Fernandez
                World Telegram and Sun
               Library of Congress Image

Another reporter asked the President to appraise the status of his legislative program in Congress and inquired as to if JFK would "want the Congress to dispose of civil rights proposals before they begin concentrating on the tax bill.?"

Mr. Kennedy answered...

"No, I think the tax bill and the civil rights bill are both very important...and...Congress will take "a substantial amount of time" (to consider them.)

What I am interested in seeing is before the end of this year both bills enacted. That is what we will be judged on."

CONFERENCE AT POTSDAM BEGAN 68 YEARS AGO TODAY

Potsdam, Germany (JFK+50) Allied representatives arrived here in Potsdam*, just outside of Berlin, 68 years ago today, July 17, 1945, to begin discussions on postwar Europe.

*Potsdam is the capital city of Bradenburg, Germany and is located on the River Havel 15 miles SW of Berlin.  

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

The conference was held at the Cecilienhof, the last palace built by the Hohenzollern family and completed in 1917.

                        Schloss Cecilienhof
                   Photo by Drow69 (2013)

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

Issues discussed include the postwar border of Poland, occupation of Austria and war reparations.  The conference closed on August 2, 1945.

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